We are human; beware those who would persuade you otherwise

Though a trans-national collectivist approach to finding solutions to the problems of the world is attractive. Collectivism, itself, taken to an extreme at least, is dangerous. 

The problem with collectivism is that it tends to see humans not as we are but as we wish that we were. It is an ideology of hope, which makes it appealing, but it is that very hope which makes it so dangerous.

It usually begins, however, with a truth: this group, which has power, is trying to hang on to it. In doing so they’re keeping the rest of us down.

There is nothing wrong with that observation. It is a correct one. The problem comes when we move from a simple description of something which is true, to a diagnosis and then a cure.

To illustrate lets extend the observation.

Here is the truth, the world is divided into a small elite who have the power, and the masses who are oppressed. However, if we could only unite the oppressed, in sum they would be more powerful than the elite. 

Given this is so obvious, why don’t the masses rise up? It must be because the elite are deliberately keeping them divided. And see… Look at this example of egregious elitist behaviour over here. They are doing exactly as we said they would. They are fighting tooth and nail to hold onto their power. They divide us; so they conquer us. 

We insightful few. We who have seen this truth and so uncovered this vast conspiracy, must band together to fight back. We must reveal the oppressors, show the huddled masses what is being done to them, organise and rise up to sweep them away…

Yet it is obvious what is wrong here. The insightful few have fallen into the trap of believing the oppressors are a separate species from the rest (sometimes literally; see nazism or David Icke). That their behaviour is somehow innate to their kind. They think that the hierarchy which characterises our society is a product of the overlord’s design, rather than a consequence of our essential humanity. The Collectivist mind believes that if only humanity can be liberated from that group which keeps them impoverished, another way is possible.

Of course to disagree with this diagnosis is not hopeful. It suggests there is no solution. That we are doomed to be ourselves.

Furthermore, surely that isn’t right? Imagine if we all just did a little more. If we were just a bit kinder to each other. It’s not much. Surely the world would be a better place? 

And also, I personally have changed my lifestyle to think about how my actions impact on others, to be a bit kinder and a bit more thoughtful. I’ve met many others like me. I know there are thousands around the world, millions even. I connect with them every day on social media. We are an uprising, a movement. We. Can. Do. It.

It’s so tempting to think that way. But it doesn’t change the essential fact that I am part of a species called human. On the level of the individual we all exist somewhere within a broad spectrum of personality types. Types which have been shaped by life-experiences and all the rest. It is true that I can work on myself to become a better person. But I can’t work on myself to make the collective us become a different species. No matter how hard I try, I cannot become pig or cat or bird or even chimpanzee. And there are certain inescapable truths about my species. One of which is that along with being one of the most altruistic, kind and reciprocal mammals, we are also by nature hierarchical. Furthermore we are tribal. It means, whichever system you put in place, we will compete both within our tribe and against other tribes for power, status and resources. The nature of a hierarchy is that it is like a pyramid. Those towards the top will hold more power, status and resource per person than those lower down. They will fight to hold onto that power. Those most inclined to seek power, status and reward will have the best chance of moving up the pyramid, those less inclined will stay on the lower levels. It is upon this truth that our initial observation was made.

Whatever we do, the pyramid, however, is inescapable.*

If you are fortunate enough to live in a modern liberal and democratic society therefore, you should beware of those collectivist solutions which reject the basis of your society. What they offer is an illusion. They will tear down what exists, but they will not replace it with something better, in a very short amount of time the pyramid will be back. However it is unlikely the freedoms you enjoy now will survive into that future.

Any diagnosis which blames the oppressor group for the pyramid and imagines a better world without the pyramid should be rejected.

There are solutions to the problems, but they involve first accepting the pyramid.

*I realise that sounds very “Illuminati” but that comparison, I fear is also inescapable. (Did you know, by the way, that the Illuminati was the brainchild of Adam Weishaupt, who in the early 1770s was vocally critical of the "intolerance and bigotry" of the church, which, at the time, held strong influence over the University of Ingolstadt, as well the politics and government of Bavaria. His criticisms resulted in clashes with the Jesuits, leading Weishaupt to conclude that a secret organization of liberal-minded individuals was necessary to outwit the "enemies of reason.")