Alexander Fraser Tytler-Lord Woodhouselee
By Matthew Clark
Alexander Tytler (the Fraser was added when he married) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on October 15, 1747. His birth occurred at a time when Scotland was entering a historic crossroads. A year previous, at the Battle of Culloden (April 16, 1746) close to Inverness, the armed forces of traditional Celtic Scotland, with its' clan system of societal rule, had met an epic military defeat. It fell to the might of British forces whose culture was about to introduce an industrial revolution which would transform the island nation into the world's premier economic and military power. In reaction to the challenges offered by these events the Scots would embark on a quest for knowledge that has been rarely matched historically by many nations, and arguably by none of such a modest population, or means. Alexander Tytler would become a major participant in this search for enlightenment.
Tytler was the oldest son of Ann Craig and William Tytler of Woodhouselee. William Tytler was a lawyer and historical writer. His successes were substantial enough that he was able to acquire the estate of Woodhouselee. William and Ann would have 8 children, four of whom made it to adulthood.
Alexander (named after his paternal grandfather) Tytler built on his paters accomplishments to further his own studies and profession(s). Educated at Edinburgh High School and then at Kensington Academy (in London, England) he further obtained his lawyer (advocate) qualification from the University of Edinburgh in 1770. By 1780 Tytler became a professor of Civil history at that same university.
It is at this point that the reader can, if he or she so desires, study the educated Scotsman's historical analysis and ponder on how it might be relevant to contemporary events. Professor Tytler specialized in the scrutiny of past civilizations. The Scot found that civilizations, empires, and nations went through a cycle of six stages. These stages took, on average, two hundred years to complete. Starting out under tyranny, which Tytler described as bondage where the interests of (political) leaders prevail, a movement of Spiritual faith with broad ideals beyond the political leaders whim takes hold throughout the population. This spiritual faith motivates the people to great courage where they adopt a common good to unite against oppressors. From great courage the civilization (empire, nation) citizens enjoys liberty and abundance. All areas of the community flourish. This is the high point of the nation. Gradually the comfort created by abundance engenders a prevailing state of selfishness and apathy. In a search for purpose personnel ambition becomes the prime motive for most people, especially political and social leaders. Shared values fracture within the states citizenry, so that the population becomes alienated. Finally a circumstance of dependence returns to the populace. Responsibility goes to government rather than themselves. Most people become dependent on the government to provide for their existence. Eventually the nation returns to bondage, where the tyranny of the (political) leaders interests prevail.
If this cycle occurs to the reader(s) as somewhat negative it is mild compared to the Advocates judgement of democracy.
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government," Tytler wrote, "it can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapse over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship."
Even more scathing was the Scottish academic comments on a Republican from of political rule.
" It may, indeed, be confidently asserted, that there never was that government called a Republic, which was not ultimately ruled by a single will and, therefore (however bold may seem the paradox) virtually and substantially a monarchy."
Amidst his many activities Alexander Tytler made time to expand his academic interests into the linguistic field by writing on "The Priciples of Translation" (still in use today). He eventually became High Advocate for Scotland. In his personnel life he married Ann Fraser (whereupon he took Fraser as a middle name). Together Alexander and Ann would raise 7 children. As was customary for an accomplished man during those times in Britain Alexander Fraser Tytler, was given the judicial title of Lord Woodhouselee after becoming a Lord of Session in the Scottish courts. He died in Edinburgh, the city of his birth, in 1813, at the age of 65.
Due to his astonishing range of interests Alexander Tytler is a fascinating figure to study. Judge, Professor, Historian, Linguist, Writer, Lord Woodhouselee was a true product of the enlightenment. Yet there is a more urgent requirement to scrutinize Tytler's correspondence during contemporary times. Keeping current affairs in mind the Judge Advocates negative estimation of democracy and republicanism appears to be disturbingly accurate. If his prognosis is realized than most, if not all, nations in the western world, face a future where their inhabitants will be subjected to some sort of political tyranny, be it oligarchy or dictatorship! Yet nothing in political life is inevitable. Forewarned is forearmed. Knowledge of what could occur if "we the people" remain shortsighted might motivate enough of the population to buck the trends of past civilizations. For this reason alone awareness of "Tytler's Cycle of Civilizations" is a compelling requirement!
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