Posted 9:39 AM

Declaration of Interdependence

Ping Identity's Andre Durand is a really bright guy. So when he gets something wrong, it really stands out. And he's just gotten the U.S. Declaration of Independence completely wrong.

Andre goes off on a rant about "interdependence" and how identity needs relationships. He paraphrases Doc Searls and says " It'?s the relationship between WE where I-dentity finds it's utility." What he misses, and what the Declaration of Independence is all about, is that the relationship needs to be between equal parties. If one party can coerce the other with impugnity, then there is no "interdependence" merely subserviency. I ask Andre to re-read the final paragraph of the Declaration, the very essence of interdependence:

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. Â? And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."