Might does not make Right – Right makes Might. Lincoln was right, not Miller

The idea that those with the most power get to decide what is moral, legal, and true is an idea that only the bullies of the world will subscribe to. Although history is littered with examples of the strong imposing their will on the weak, if we look closer at the architecture of stable societies, we find a much more profound truth:

Might does not make right; rather, might is at its most effective when it is constrained by right.

The Flaw in “Might Makes Right”

When power is the only justification for action, authority becomes brittle. A system built solely on force requires constant coercion to maintain. The moment a leader’s “might” wavers, the “right” they established vanishes. This isn’t justice; it’s simply momentum.

True authority doesn’t come from the ability to crush opposition, but from legitimacy.

Power Within the Lines

In a functioning civilization, “Right” (ethics, law, and human rights) acts as the vessel, and “Might” (enforcement, resources, and influence) is the liquid poured into it. Without the vessel, the liquid dissipates.

• The Rule of Law: Even the most powerful individual is subject to the same rules as the least powerful, or should be. This constraint is what prevents power from turning into tyranny.

• Social Contracts: We grant power to institutions specifically because they promise to operate within the boundaries of what is “right.”

• The Strength of Restraint: A nation that has the power to destroy but chooses to negotiate is often viewed as more “right” and, paradoxically, more influential than one that uses force indiscriminately.

Why Constraint Matters

The constraint of power by morality is what allows for cooperation. If the strongest person in the room can do whatever they want, no one else has an incentive to innovate, invest, or participate. When might is constrained by right, it creates a predictable environment where everyone can thrive.

Ultimately, might is a tool, but right is the blueprint. Power is most “right” when it is used to protect the very boundaries that limit it.