Sovereign: n. - being above all others in character, importance, excellence,etc.

I. The Plight of Modern Society

There is something terribly wrong with the world we live in. At first these words may seem dramatic, but when you think about it, you see it every day. It just so happens in life that, more often than not, you look around and it is easier to find people betraying each other, stabbing one another in the back, cutting corners, and displacing blame than just simply taking responsibility and doing the right thing. We have all heard the adage, “Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.” Today, in America, this phrase has come to be all too true to life, and you have to know that it is so well known for a reason. In most situations, if you give a person the opportunity, they will take advantage of you every time.

So yes, there is definitely something terribly wrong with our world and the way some people choose to live their lives. There is no doubt an evil in the fact that it is easier to see people hurting the innocent than helping the less fortunate, and making excuses rather than accepting responsibility. Is there no honor left in America? Is there no more honor left in the world? Everyday people allow these things to happen, or take part themselves, and then complain about the decay of modern society. Do they not see that this is a direct result of their actions, or do they just not care?

It is my belief that everyone can see the answers to these most pondered social and cultural questions, posed by the consequentially alienated countercultures produced by this problem. The answers can be seen in many places, from the pride dynamics of lions of the Serengeti and the communal consciousness throughout the animal kingdom, to the concrete jungles of corporate America and the modern business management theory. I believe that these answers are seen every day, yet for some reason people continually choose to reject the truth right before their eyes. If only people would lead a life of honor. If people could only treat one another with respect, and be Loyal to themselves and one another, not only in times when it is easy, but also in hard times as well. If every day, people would come up against adversity and make good choices, be tempted but not bend, and not abandon their virtues, then maybe we could see an end to these problems which plague our way of life.

II. Defining the Sovereign

However, not everyone gives in to his or her own selfishness. There are those who genuinely look out for their brothers in humanity, doing the common good and helping people where they can. There are the precious few, who see what it is to live a life of righteousness, and actually follow through on that vision with deeds, not words. There are some who live a life of honor simply because it is the right thing to do. We will call them, the Sovereign Class.

Most everyone knows what is right and what is wrong. When unobstructed by egocentric agendas, the average person can tell you that we should take care of the sick, feed the hungry, offer aid to the less fortunate, and comfort the dispirited. It is no doubt engrained in our nature to help our fellow man. Now the most unfortunate of human flaws is that, although most people can see the right thing to do, it is often very difficult to get them to do it, especially if it means facing hardship. So the apathy and lethargy of man win out in the end, and it is left to the rare honor bound to stand up in the face of injustice, to be righteous when disrespected, and to stand strong when unity is lost and allegiance abandoned. These honor bound individuals, whom truly live to moral standard are rare and unique. They are truly sovereign, by very definition. When contrasted against their fellow man, they are shown to be Kings among men.

III. The Plight of the Sovereign Class

Now these Kings among men, this Sovereign Class, lose out in the end. Of course, it can be said that no matter what happens to them they have their righteousness and honor, and no one can take that from them. I don’t deny this fact. But within a society, if there are only a handful of individuals whom work hard for the greater benefit of society overall, it leaves them with a terrible burden to bear and leaves them vulnerable to others parasitically taking advantage of their kindness. Suddenly, it becomes very easy for others to use the virtue of some as a vehicle for their own selfish motivations and goals. Some do so by actively taking advantage – accepting the favors and hard work of others, exploiting their kindness and never reciprocating in return. On the other hand, some do so more passively – they do nothing, expecting someone else to take care of things for them, to carry their load of social responsibility.

At what point do the sovereign deserve justice? At what point should we reward those whom live their lives with honor and further our society in success by promoting moral righteousness? Why should these individuals of greater integrity be charged with carrying the weight of those whom have no interest in the common good?

Nevertheless, time and time again in societies and major social structures you can see it happen. Those bound by honor are turned into victims because of their virtues and the lack of cooperation from their peers within the community. They are forced to work harder for a lower wage, because they are the ones who won’t complain. They are called to continually sacrifice of themselves, because they are the ones that won’t deny aid to others. They are expected to worry about their own families whilst fighting to secure the safety and security of others. The honor bound are the one’s within society too often left worrying about others with no one to worry about themselves. They are the ones who work for a better life for us all, and never get to enjoy it.

Such is the plight of the Sovereign Class.