Socialist By Nature

I was amused to see “socialism” being used as a scare tactic in the US Presidential race a couple of weeks ago.  I don’t think the attempt gained a lot of traction because it flies in the face of both common sense and human nature. 

Humans are socialist beings by nature.  Our survival depends on it.  Belonging to a group is as important to our survival now as it was thousands of years ago.  Our happiness is tied to others as well, even when it comes to money.  A recent study on spending and happiness across three different scenarios ”found that spending more of one’s income on others predicted greater happiness“.

“intentional activities—practices in which people actively and effortfully choose to engage—may represent a more promising route to lasting happiness.  … how people choose to spend their money is at least as important as how much money they make.“

I also don’t imagine there are masses of people who are dead set against the idea of adequate food, water, shelter, health, education and safety for everyone.  If there were then charities wouldn’t exist.  Public schools wouldn’t exist.  People wouldn’t travel thousands of miles to help out with disaster reliefs.  Food banks wouldn’t be organized.  Volunteers – what are they?  Friends wouldn’t go to fundraisers to help pay for medical treatment or research.  Parent’s wouldn’t teach their kids to share.  The list is endless.

And even the staunchest supporters of capitalism - where the motive for making products and services is for profit rather than satisfying people’s needs - look for help from others when they get into trouble.  Corporate bailouts are simply larger versions of food banks.  The social safety net only exists because capitalism, in the end, doesn’t work.  In order to survive, and thrivive, we need each other for support and to share what we have.

Just look around.  People will find ways to fill the gaps and help others.  Because it feels good.  Because it’s the right thing to do.  And because it’s human nature.

Update (2010-06-23):  This cool video on an emphatic civilisation in Empathetic By Nature is worth the watch.