A hierarchy
a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
A cooperative
an association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations
Recently I was introduced to the question of how a society is formed. Mostly it is done through a ‘Hierarchy Model’: A boss and a trickle down line of subordinates. Is this the best model for a society? The opposite of such a model is a ‘Co-operative Structure’: everyone works together for the common good. There is no leader and no command structure. Sounds idyllic!
Is one better than other? Yes and no. I do love a little controversy!
We are born into a hierarchical construct. We are naked and hungry. Everyone has a job to do to ensure our well-being. There are many scenarios of this: one mom, one dad, one mom and dad, two moms, two dads or those who fulfill the needs of a parent. We must be taught not jump off a cliff, how to comport ourselves in society and how to appreciate authority. As an adult we can then choose our way of life.
It is similar in the animal world. The young need to be educated in order to survive. What is safe to eat and what will eat you. There is also a very ridged chain of authority: Alpha, Beta, etc.
Other animals are born into a community when everyone helps to raise the young but there still is an Alpha, one leader and don’t you forget it!
Still others are left alone to survive on instinct. There are usually hundreds if not thousand born as the mortality rate is quite high.
So we have a dilemma. Is the rigidity of the Hierarchy best for society or does the fluidity of the Co-operative make more sense? The short answer is yes.
If I am a passenger in a plane 45 thousand feet in the air I want to believe that the people that made the plane, maintain it and are flying it, believe in a Hierarchy. I do not want a trained mechanic taking his turn at flying!
On the other hand I am fine with everyone on a farm pitching in where ever it is needed. Co-operation is welcome.
Sometimes a ridged structure needs to bend a little or it will break in a high wind. And sometimes that loose co-operative needs a little direction to keep it viable. Circumstances change and a vital society will adapt and grow. Just like people.
Firstly I love your painting – looks like a Nebula in space to me. 🙂
And yes, we need a bit of both. I certainly don’t want a trainee flying my plane, but we do need cooperation too. Nicely written. 🙂
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Thanks! I like the idea of a Benevolent Dictator but that’s an oxymoron!
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Hmm Maybe Captain Kirk would fit the bill? 😀
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hahaha Only if it were a triumvirate with Spock and Bones!
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I like this post. My observation, from 40+ years in business is that the hard part is when you need people in a hierarchy to cooperate.
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Oh yes! And that hated phrase: “that’s not my job.” To which I usually replied: “did you not read the fine print on your contract?”
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It’s even worse when you need cooperation from the folks above you
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A deep provacative piece that made me think..ponder and wonder. 👍🤗 Your watercolor painting is a coloful one.
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Thanks! It makes me think of chaos.
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It does…dicatorship under tyrannical boss like my hierachical ex Electric Lord
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Beautifully written my friend. I absolutely agree….we need a little of both. Kinda like a marble cake — vanilla batter and chocolate batter mixed together, but not so thoroughly that you can’t define one from the other.
Love your watercolor painting. If you could paint my BP on some occasions, I think this is what it would look like!!
🔹 Ginger 🔹
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hahaha Thanks! Actually it is acrylic paint watered down to react like watercolour. Oh and BP=blood pressure? If so I need to paint some calmer scenes!
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That is why I like the original intent of the US constitution. Families protect each other and their property. We band together against a common foe, but no one has the right to tell us what to do on our own property. The government should be afraid of the people, not the other way around.
It’s taken socialists 100 years to get to the point where rules, regulations and permits threatened to bury our constitution. We almost allowed our country to lose the best system of government ever devised, but the truth is that we have to take the blame for not being diligent. We trusted the wrong people, listened to lies, and almost allowed globalism to consume us.
The one question that globalists fail to answer is this: Once there is a global nation, who is going to run it? Will it be another Hitler, a Jihadist, a benevolent dictator like Abd Al-Rahman, the Chinese communists or a Ming Dynasty, Obama, Hillary, Pelosi…
If that doesn’t frighten the heck out of people, I don’t know what will.
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The US is at a tipping point. The whole world is watching.
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Very well said!
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Excellent. Either or both can be applied to the family unit.
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absolutely!
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Collaboration is a big word floating around nowadays. What a healthy perspective you have toward working together! Cheers!
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Thanks Jack! I know we can all work together, the question is, will we?
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