A Blog about Leadership

Critical Element

There is one element that is often overlooked and rarely noted, but was critical to laying the foundation for success of the United States of America that the founding fathers understood.

The eighth sentence of Article I, Section 9, of the United States Constitution reads:

“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”

History

Throughout much of history, forms of government were dominated by monarchs and nobilities.  The problems that arose from the feudal systems of Europe had a significant impact on the reasoning of the founding fathers of the US.  To mitigate those problems, the authors of the US Constitution created the framework the US government without titles of nobility and without Monarchs.

There have been monarchs and others with titles of nobility or royalty through history that have additionally been great leaders.  But they were great leaders irregardless of the social status, not because of the social status.

Nobility

In and of itself, titles of nobility are okay, but being considered one of privilege leads toward considering oneself a person of power.  When you think you are better than another, you think you are over them in the same hierarchy perspective of a manager over workers.

Power is the absence of leadership.  Power is what some rely on when they fail to develop as a leader.  The mix of power and privilege corrupts one’s ethics which is a critical problem for a leader (see leadership and ethics).

Leadership

Leadership is the critical foundation for the enduring success of the United States.  The absence of nobility provides for the development of leadership without the problems that nobility would create.

New “Nobility”

In the United States, nobility is taking on a new definition and, in my view, a better definition.  That definition leads toward the actions of character, the actions of being noble.

Article I, Section 9, of the US Constitution in its entirety:

“The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.

“The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

“No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

“No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

“No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.

“No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over those of another: nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one state, be obliged to enter, clear or pay duties in another.

“No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.

“No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.”

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