Balance of power, shifted
But one natural consequence of the specializing action of the new forms of knowledge was that all kinds of power took on a strongly centralist character. Whereas the role of the feudal monarch had been inclusive, the king actually including in himself all his subjects, the Renaissance prince tended to become an exclusive power centre surrounded by his individual subjects. (McLuhan, The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man 12)
I'm a little confused. I thought print culture made it much easier for rulers to communicate with their subordinates, so for the first time their empires could spread beyond the set geographical borders of their kingdom's region to include faraway cities, ports, and other territories. But McLuhan seems to argue the opposite, here.
Comments
that seemed odd to me too. With new knowledge would come knowledge of new areas. The king could send subordinates to other regions as sort of governors. They would rule the area, but under his decrees. He could send commands out quickly and ruling would become more efficient.
you'd think that, wouldn't you?
Posted by: Daniella Choynowski | February 25, 2008 10:06 PM