The most basic law is the only law that can not be broken, the laws of physics. That is what might makes right is backed by, surviving and reproducing is what you get as the result of being able to inflict more violence on the other side than they can on you.
> surviving and reproducing is what you get as the result of being able to inflict more violence on the other side than they can on you.
This is a common misconception. A lot of surviving and reproducing is possible when you work together and cooperate. As King Pyrrhus found out the hard way fighting the Romans.
Sure he initially succeeded in defeating a roman army or two. But you know what? Due to their superior organization skills, the Romans could just field another one. And another one.
"If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined"
Eh, might makes right is in one scenario. Poisoning, betrayal, manipulation, propaganda, co-opting often work too. As many ‘strong men’ have learned to their detriment.
Underlying it, those who survive will justify however they want, they’ll be the ones writing the history books.
I meant that in the fundamental sense, that I can do whatever I want and nobody can stop me, as long as I have the most physical - in the sense of physics - power. The only thing that I can not do is force others to do things I want them to do, they can always decide to refuse and die. Poisons are just molecular bullets. Betrayal, manipulation, and propaganda, not sure how they would achieve anything if I have enough power.
Theoretically, sure. Though if you went that route, ultimately you might just be ruling over a pile of ashes no?
Practically, how do you propose acquiring that power, or having anyone to rule over, that would not leave you vulnerable to all those other things I listed?
As in, whatever power you have being used to serve someone elses interests instead of your own, or even be used to destroy you. Or your own basic needs being sabotaged behind your back to murder you.
There is a reason why dictators and kings tend to have somewhat predictable endings, and it's rarely 'passing away peacefully in their sleep at a ripe old age'.
