Change is constant! Progress is a choice!

The unique and best part of an open society is that it is based on democratic principles and supports a free market economy.  The inherent driving force within such a system is the human creative momentum that ambitiously fuels social, economic, and political movement and thereby, progressive change. 

I was recently pondering the idea of change from the social and political perspective.  If change is the equilibrium created as a result of the balancing of opposing forces, then social and political change is the result of fresh ideas and compromise created by those with opposing views.  So the challenge in any society is that change comes about as a result of, at times, great human effort and sacrifice.  Nevertheless, change is a constant in life, like death and taxes, to recall the words of Benjamin Franklin.  So everything changes over time.

Why?

In a democratic society, the free human spirit is the energetic and vital driving force behind all economic and social development.  Part of the idea behind a democratic society is that wealth is to be distributed more evenly to everyone including those who are in need, thus offering all, the opportunity to create their own initiatives and become productive members of society.  The result is enhanced human and intellectual capital, exponential growth, and the development of an increasingly wealthy and productive society.  This is a vivid and healthy cycle of prosperity!

Or am I wrong?

In reality, however, we can compare change to something like a rusty wheel, which doesn’t move very easily. We have great difficulty cultivating progressive change in our society.  We are very good, however, at creating change that simply maintains the status quo.  It seems that as long as we move backwards, we are comfortable because we are familiar with our findings.  If we try to move forward, we become resistant and protect the old tried and true with great ferocity.

This is somewhat of a paradox!  In the US, the home of capitalism, open market, and the freedom of speech, the political climate has turned into a hard and truly partisan system. The country is divided and highly polarized.  Change certainly does not happen easily there and if it does, it comes about with a heavy price.

What we need!

I believe that the polarizing factor is the difference in individual perception and values.  One either believes in the idea that individuals have the right and duty to take care of themselves and ensure their own prosperity without the interference of the state.  Or one believes in human rights and the principal that it is the responsibility of the government to distribute the nation’s common resources and wealth to all including those who are in need.

Regardless of the beliefs and values that we represent, the way to create progressive change is to combine our efforts.  It is my opinion that:

“The success and respectability of a nation lies within how well it takes care of its people, especially the not so fortunate ones, or the people in need. I believe both sides of the camp can learn from each other in order to create the best of the worlds!”

Think progressively!