The Skism

[Exsubmariner]

This post is actually inspired by the "Why Conservatism is Failing" post. I didn't want it to go under that thread because the subject is one that goes beyond labels and might shed some light on the why of the way things are.

After studying politics and economics as an armchair observer for some years, it dawns on me that there are forces pushing beneath the surface of everything and they emerge and mingle and manifest themselves into different things at different times. They are not necessarily complementary, but don't always work against each other.

One force that I see as prevalent in the political landscape, be it domestic or international is the force of self preservation. The world has changed. It's smaller. Everyone is interconnected. This evolution is highly threatening to the status quo. It threatens business tycoons of the old guard, dictators, party structures, shieks, little old ladies and school children alike.

The other problem with this evolution is that it brings enormous opportunity. Those who are willing to break the bonds of their old ways of thinking and evolve will reap rewards beyond anything that was imaginable in the old way of doing things. The problem is that wealth is generated by cooperation. Cooperation and trade creates a bigger pie for everyone to share. This is a radical idea.

So, there you have it. Two forces (not all inclusive) that are shaping the world we live in. The drive for self preservation at odds with the drive to prosper. Imagine that.

[Bill Haywood]

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forces pushing beneath the surface of everything...

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It's fascinating to imagine sublime forces guiding history from beneath the surface.

Do not read up on the concept of "reification" or arguments about teleology in the philosophy of history.

They will take all the fun out of looking for deep patterns.