In the heart of the American Midwest, a chill has settled that has nothing to do with the Minnesota winter. As the current administration accelerates its “Operation Metro Surge,” the streets of Minneapolis have become a flashpoint for a philosophy as old as time: Might Makes Right.
At Heartitude, we believe that a culture’s strength isn’t measured by the force it can exert, but by the compassion it can extend. When we look at the recent tragedies involving ICE operations in Minnesota—the fatal shootings of civilians like Renée Good and Alex Pretti—we aren’t just seeing “policy” in action. We are seeing the consequences of a world where empathy has been sidelined in favor of raw power.
The Cost of a “Might Makes Right” Culture
The “Might Makes Right” doctrine suggests that the strong define justice. We’ve seen this play out in the responses from senior political leadership. Rather than offering solace or seeking a bridge of understanding after the deaths of American citizens, the rhetoric has been one of justification and immunity.
- The Narrative of Force: When leadership labels victims as “domestic terrorists” before investigations are complete, it sends a clear message: The state’s power is absolute, and its empathy is conditional.
- The Short-Term Gain: This approach can force compliance. It can “clear streets” or “surge” numbers. But it creates a vacuum of trust.
- The Long-Term Decay: History shows us that when a government rules through fear rather than consent and care, it breeds a “dystopian” atmosphere—one that Brookings recently noted mirrors less stable nations.
Empathy: The Foundation of Strength
Conversely, Heartitude—the quality of treating each person with kindness, compassion, and empathy—is what actually nurtures a prosperous culture. Empathy is not “soft”; it is the ultimate form of social intelligence.
Historical Mirror: The Peloponnesian War vs. The Marshall Plan
In 416 BCE, the Athenians famously told the Melians that “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.” Athens won that day, but their lack of empathy and reliance on “might” eventually led to their own collapse and the loss of their allies’ trust.
Contrast this with the post-WWII Marshall Plan. Instead of punishing a defeated Europe through “might,” the U.S. chose an unprecedented path of empathy and rebuilding. This didn’t just provide “short-term gains”; it built a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Western world that lasted for generations. Empathy turned enemies into the strongest allies we’ve ever known.
Why Empathy Wins
Research in political psychology suggests that higher levels of empathy correlate with more egalitarian and stable societies. When we use empathy to look at the communities in Minnesota today, we see:
- Unity: Neighbors banding together to protect one another.
- Resilience: A culture that seeks justice through healing rather than retaliation.
- Humanity: The recognition that every person—regardless of status—possesses an inherent dignity that no “surge” can erase.
The Path Forward
A culture built on “might” is like a house built on ice; it looks solid in the freeze, but it shatters under the slightest pressure or melts when the climate shifts. A culture built on Heartitude is rooted. It understands that our collective safety is only as strong as our concern for the most vulnerable among us.
We must move past the idea that power is the only way to lead. As Abraham Lincoln famously reversed the phrase: “Let us have faith that right makes might.”