If You Intend to Lead a Group to Survive
No Matter What the Challenge
You Must Have a Clear Understanding of Sociology
In The Division of Labor in Society Émile Durkheim presents a clear outline of two very disparate approaches to a cohesive society. He identifies the two forms of solidarity as Mechanical and Organic. It has later been interpreted as small and large societies. I would argue that in fact it applies to the modern conflict of paradigms of the Self Reliant Individualist vs. the Urban Collectivism paradigm.
If you expect or desire to live a happy and fulfilled life in the modern world studying the four Sociologists below and their theorems which I present should be on the top of your reading list.
Simply put if you wish to survive in the world you must take charge of your life, your direction, your paradigm and lead. Even if you do not wish to lead anyone but yourself you must consciously lead yourself in a clear and carefully planned direction if you wish to come out whole and happy.
The last thirty years have taught me that only you can decide what paradigm is right for you. Every day doing my show on the radio and at work it was shockingly clear how these two simple social paradigms directed people who were otherwise very similar, some even brothers or sisters down sharply different paths. No matter what logic or argument is made in the end the choice of your societal paradigm is largely influenced by your approach to life, your intellect, your creativity, hunger for knowledge and experience as well as your underlying physiological compass. These are the things at the root of political and social conflicts, so polarizing that it often invokes visceral and often violent frustration manifest in physical violence. So vexing, so powerful, so emotional and personal are the roots of these paradigms that it confounds logic, escapes normal discussion and often ends in stalemate.
Why you ask have I brought this up? Well, if you understand, if you are enlightened in the nature of sociology and human (animal) behavior you are more likely to be able to strike a balance as a leader that can foster the betterment and a more fulfilling life for all in your sphere of influence. In a survival situation, you may have the edge using the wisdom of the application of these theories enabling you to maintain solidarity of your group while allowing the individualism necessary for personal and societal advancement. (See Hawthorne Studies)
Do you attack life everyday looking for new and different things to challenge your knowledge and skill set? Or do you prefer to "fly under the radar and not make waves"? In the end it is the polarization in the mindsets of the answers to such simple questions which begin to cut a deep and unforgiving chasm in the sand for people. Such paradigm differences are the route of extremely divisive and heated conflicts between the two sides putting them at odds as irreconcilable as fire and ice.
Political and social leaders would be well served to acquaint themselves with the complexities of the theory of Mechanical and Organic Solidarity. But it should not end there. There are other theories that enhance, extend and further these two basically sound pieces of sociology. It should begin with the melding of what is learned in the concepts of German sociologist; Ferdinand Tönnies and his two conceptual models for types of human association: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft. The next piece in this complex puzzle is to study Lenski's Evolutionary Theory regarding sociological evolution which proffers the view that technological progress is the most basic factor in the evolution of societies and cultures. What I believe to be the final piece in the puzzle that unmasks what to most people is a vexing and insurmountable stalemate is the undoing of those who believe in the collectivist approach. That is The Hawthorne Studies of 1924 brought to light the final piece in the puzzle in the quest to understand how to nurture and construct social order which still respects, supports and accepts self reliance and individualism. The studies that led to the Human Relations Movement in the mid 1920's outed the natural human drive to find and thrive in individualism within structured demanding societal constricts. Those constricts inevitably disable individualism in favor of collectivism and "order". Placing humans at odds with such structure.
Extra credit reading should be Peace Among Primates by Robert M Sapolsky Ph.D. at Stanford University especially the section regarding natural born killers.
As you see, each one of these theoretical studies of human societal solidarity reaches similar and overlapping conclusions. You probably don't have to guess where I (Will of PracticeSurvival.com) falls in this debate; I am a stark individualist, I ooze self reliance (possibly to a fault), I am not dependent, nor am I a victim. I live for challenge, conquest, expansion of my mind and my intellect and most of all of leaving a positive advancement in the world. I choose individualism and the mechanical society. Small, based upon self reliance, individualism and integrity, where each member stands on their own, supporting one another as earned equals shoulder to shoulder not on someone elses shoulders.
Do Not Be Lulled Into Complacency
Knowledge is Only the Beginning Not the End
"Practice; Apply Your Knowledge, Own It, Grasp It Fully,
Master It, Gain Clarity of Perception, Teach It Successfully
Then You Have Reached True Enlightenment"
Will @ PracticeSurvival.com
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