Human capital development in any nation is important and I will say that when there are not enough opportunities for people to get ahead there is a level of lopsidedness. The best and brightest are unlikely to come forward in toxic environments and nations suffer when the rules are different for different people. That is not politics, that is just the nature of people and social groups (Forget politics! It has shown us a lot of destructive tendencies in the last 5 years. Recently it has improved but we should have known better a long time ago.)
Whether we are talking about opportunities or we are talking about decision making at the very highest levels it important to ensure we stick to our central values and create environments where fairness and shared values are important so as to grease the human capital wheels that lead to economic development. In the U.S. we have certain rules, codes, ethics, and social contracts. Many people follow them and there are some who throw them (Not kidding! They couldn't care less because they don't gain off of it.). Each acts depending on their deeper beliefs in those values and their willingness to stand for the greater good of society.
Hypothetical Example: I like to use this hypothetical situation because it highlights how each person provides a data point perspective that can often create a bigger picture. Someone wants something and exploits racial, religious and social differences to create a dangerous and potentially violent situation on a family they see as minorities and less worthy. Intentional display of cruelty supported by others. People within their networks line up to harm that family and local systems default in support of those networks. The family is left out there to deal with those issues alone for years to avoid violence. Social learning based on a hate narrative occurred and the power of disparity and hate became embedded in some local institutions without correction. Qualified candidates were rejected based on extremist leaning rumors and robed the community of new opportunities. Many others came forward concerned about similar semi associated types of behaviors like corruption, extremism, mistreatment so on an so forth making it a widespread and in some ways a shared phenomenon. Denial and group protection continues. (That doesn't mean they are true but it was perceptual so there is likely to be at least a small amount of truth to it.) It persisted....turn page.
As the monkeys in the video indicate there are certain perceptions of fairness that are deeply embedded into our biology. It makes no difference what background one has or what their political leanings are. It makes no difference their race, religion or place in society. What does make a difference is the perception of fairness and how willing people are to engage in meaningful shared vision work. When people don't engage in a way that leads to the highest level of human capital development, it robs all of society. Commitment to our shared universal values can correct that. Leaders who understand the deeper value of their people beyond self gain can make profound leaps in national development.
Now back to politics. I'm a light R with lots of friends from all over the place of varying backgrounds. R or L I look at their genuine behaviors and willingness to embrace certain values. No matter what is going on in the world I try and anchor to our central American and their deeper universal and spiritual values. Not that anyone is a perfect person nor that they have the all the answers. I avoid destructive solutions and think about the wider perspective of collective gain. I would support anyone I think has the character or quality to build a great nation. What I won't support is intentional mistreatment or unfairness at any level. I encourage our leaders at the top to reach for the highest standards they can; no matter their background or politics.
No idea if we will get to that higher moral order. It appears our close cousins can still teach us things we haven't yet fully developed in our own species yet.....
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