The nature and power of declaration

A declaration is a speech act which brings into existence that which didn't exist. That is, it brings something out of the intelligence (unidentified) of the universe into a distinction which is both of, and in increase in, intelligence.

As a speech act, a declaration is a social act. To have meaning, influence, power it must integrate with the larger language structures, the larger conversations, of the community in which it is made. It must emerge from that structure as it interplay's with the unique expression of the individual.

A declaration which has power or influence will emerge from a dialogue in a community where the individual expressions enrich and enhance each other until some new possibility has been created. Particular individual declarations will emerge from this. One formulation which best captures the intent of the community will become the focal point. A person who regularly formulates such statements - and lives by them - will become a leader.

When a threshold point of individual mutually supportive declarations has been passed, the community can be said to have declared. At that point, the declaration becomes so whether or not the full accomplishment is yet complete.

The threshold point will be related to the social standing (reputations) of those making the declarations, to the integrity between word and action of the culture and to the awareness of the community of the nature and power of specific speech acts.