Today we operate under the impression that self-interest and collective-interest are at loggerheads with one another. We see the two as distinct facets - total antagonistic opposites. And that is basically the reason for our ubiquitous and seemingly unanimous split-view of the world with liberals v conservatives, socialists/communists v capitalists, collective interest v self-interest. But these split-views have no real justification and lack foundation.

In our primitive existence one’s self-interest was seamlessly incorporated within a collective-interest. The two were probably never considered as two distinct things. Probably never thought of being connected either. They were probably never thought of at all. There was just no other way to be, to exist, to survive. In this way, self-interest was naturally subsumed by the collective-interest of the tribe. One's tribe was what made one's self-interest realizable. In a tribe, the collective-interest and one's self-interest were one and the same.

Individual self-interest to survive was the impetus that formed a tribe, a collective. Surviving on one’s own in the wild was not a viable option. One's chances would not be good. So, it was in every individual's self-interest to be part of a collective where one's chances for survival were exponentially greater.

So, in the real world, self-interest/collective interest forms a dynamic.

We can see that very same dynamic as the basis for today’s economies where again self-interest creates collective-interest.

Our survival mechanism today is making money. We all have that self-interest in common. So, we go out and get a job. And that means becoming part of a collective, a ”tribe”, a business. We contribute to the ongoing survivability of the business by keeping it profitable and our self-interest in survival is rewarded with a paycheck. And that is the very same arrangement that was in play for the members of a primitive tribe. The collective-interest and one's self-interest are one and the same.

But just as that arrangement was not recognized in prehistoric times it goes unnoticed today. Everyday that we go to work we are engaged in that arrangement while It hides in plain sight.

The self-interest/collective-interest dynamic is the fundamental aspect of every social system that ever was and ever will be.

Now, there are, of course, differences between our prehistoric existence and that of today’s.

We were once compelled by the force of nature to be part of a tribe. That compulsion came from within us and in that sense it was freely chosen. There was a real sense of belonging engendered in the crucible of tribal life. And it was positively reenforced on a daily basis through the palpable benefits of belonging to a tribe. In a civilized society, however, one is compelled by forces outside oneself to abide by laws and systemic controls imposed on one by a ruling class that benefit some at the expense of others.

Contrary to a tribal situation, then, one does not always feel that one is benefited by the civilized society that one inhabits. One can be made to feel put upon and exploited. So, individuals do not necessarily feel themselves to be an intrinsic part of an advanced social system as they once did in belonging to a tribe.

Prehistorically all our needs were provided for by whatever natural environment we happened to inhabit. Everything we needed was there for the taking. Today all our needs are provided for by making money. Everyone needs that one thing. But there’s only so much to go around. Some have more than they need and others have less than they need.

Basically money is survival and it plugs directly into our instinct to survive. It is out of our instinct to survive that we are compelled to make money. We all want as much money as possible. And we never seem to have enough no matter how much we have. That’s because there is no way to quantify survival. No way to turn off our instinct to survive. Our instinct to survive is what drives the notion that we can never have enough money no matter how much we have.

In a tribe everyone had a palpable sense of belonging to that tribe.

Today everyone needs to feel that they and everyone else is a member of the same society. If everyone in a given society does not feel a palpable sense of belonging to that society then that society is a failure.

Societies are split between left and right, between particular ideological beliefs and it is clear that none can create a society where everyone has a sense of belonging to the society as a whole.

The problem in the US is the two parties. They are not constitutional. Nothing in the Constitution requires them and, so, there are no guidelines, no prescription as to what role they should play and how they should conduct themselves.

They operate outside of the constitution and interfere with its mandates. The parties seek their own advantage over the other in advancing their ideology rather than seeking agreement on the best way to govern. That is, to provide economic and social justice for one and all.

As it is now we have a government of, by and for the political parties. We need to get back to a government of, by and for the people.

That would require a revolution. A genuine revolution whereby social and economic justice for one and all can be realized.

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