January 25, 2008
by Clay Barham

If it "Takes a Village to Raise a Child," should the village rule in all things social?  Should members of the village conform to the views of the village?  If so, what are the views of the village? The village, or community, cannot have views of its own, as it has nothing in the way of mental capacity to form views.  Views are formed by someone who leads the community in opinion setting, or by ballot. 

Can the will of the members of the community, the majority opinions, translate into community progress and prosperity?  If a minority disagrees, does the majority prosecute them? Those who form their own opinions and provide prosperity for themselves and their families will become targets of the envious.  If the village opinions and views change from time to time, by either ballot or a new leader, habits and structure are disturbed. Will changes be disruptive and destroy the predictability and harmony of life in the community?

Once community forms and members agree on laws of conduct, or the prohibitions on disruptive and destructive behaviors of its members toward other members, what more is there to do?  If people were able to stand on their own two feet and pursue their own interests, as long as they do not violate the law and the rights of others, should they have the right to go beyond the limitations the village community would impose.  If they do exceed those community limits, and generate prosperity for themselves and others, they employ and serve, are they applauded? 

Such was the case in America.

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There are natural conflicts, which rise between the styles of community we choose.  On one side, community rules through an appointed leader, like a king or chief, whom we assume is honest, honorable and trustworthy. The leader, as community, defines right, just, progressive and proper behavior for all. 

On the other side, without a dictator to set views, right, proper and progressive behavior is determined by each individual seeking to provide for self and those who depend upon him.  Should the individual's choices prove progressive and prosperous, should community punish him for being different, or applaud him for his contribution? In America, we applauded individuals.  Others looked upon him as a model to emulate for their own success.

Community, or the village, is a crowd, a group, like any other.  It is unlikely any group will naturally accept big differences between members in community.  They will be like the big shallow pan of live crabs in the market.  As one crab starts to crawl out of the pan, the others will reach up and drag him back down to their level. 

Those are the limits imposed on thinking, or living, out of the pan, which says much for future prosperity.  This is the reward associated with being under the rule of the village, living the average, the best of the worst and the worst of the best.  It is life in the village pan.

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Clay Barham [send him email] has been a candidate for the California legislature and a stand-in talk show host for ABC.  He was educated in physical and behavioral sciences, with a Ph.D. in sociology.  He is the author of five books, with his latest being Foundations of Modern American Conservatism and Liberalism: The Roots of Freedom and Tyranny.  Visit his website at http://www.claysamerica.com.

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