We must realize that hierarchical social systems are the antithesis of egalitarian living. Some argue that hierarchical social systems are necessary because of the number of humans on the planet. I do not agree with this argument. I also do not believe that leaders should be static. Situational leadership demands that either the leader changes to fit the situation or the leadership must change to fit the situation.
Our various hierarchical societies are a punishing way to construct humanity’s social system. The current construct demands that those on the top of hierarchies be greedy, anti-social or both. This is not to say that each and all wealthy and/or powerful humans are greedy, it is to say that the structure of hierarchy breeds greed. Often, in order to get to the top of the hierarchy, one must engage in behavior that is antithetical to humanity. Pushing to the “top” is sometimes a terrible game of cruelty that leaves many victimized and demoralized.
The American culture which began so full of hope for equality for all humans, came to idolize wealth instead of humanitarian ideals and thus lost the initial impetus for effective social change for equality and an egalitarian way of life for humans of the Earth.
This is unfortunate, as it is a delay that has cost us many years and many lives. The American culture encourages elitism and champions those who fight to the “top” of our various social systems and cultures. We have therefore bred a group of leaders who proudly look only to their own good, who overtly attempt control of different social systems and who hoard money in any way possible in order to further their own ends. This group of leaders feels that it is their right, by virtue of the fact that they sit on top of the elite social structure, to have more and better just for them and no one else. As the governor’s campaign says “Power for the few, but not for you.”
How do we change this? How do we make it better, different, important, once again, as a human ideal? First we must acknowledge that equality is a value that we wish to place above other qualities. We must also acknowledge that on the slippery slope of making money, we forgot that human beings and their lives are more important than any amount of money. As others have said “You cannot have a war, if no one comes.” If we want our sons and daughters to live into old age, we will not send them into battlefields where American millionaires find more and more ways to keep money that they have not earned. If we were sincere about this, we would reverse the legislation of the Reagans and Bushes and make it illegal (immoral, of course) to make money from a war – no matter the cause of the war.
To restate:
1. Our purpose with each other is to find ways to peacefully and productively coexist.
2. Our culture does not encourage coexistence.
3. Hierarchical cultures encourage elitism and discourage egalitarianism.
4. Our hierarchical cultures are punishing for humans.
5. Leadership in America idolizes wealth over all things, including human beings.
6. America must come back to valuing human life above all things.
7. If it was illegal to profit from war, there would be no war.