I believe that the challenge of our age is whether we are able to use our intelligence to over ride our evolved nature of self interest and tribalism. This is necessary so that all can live and work together in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, for the benefit of humanity and the planet The underlying assumption is that our evolved nature of small social tribes competing and fighting, no long works in a globalised, weaponised world and that we now need to work and think as one big tribe. Our highly networked world, means that the problems of others, are our problems too.
It has probably always been so, but on a smaller scale. The major religions of the world all attempt to constrain or control the excesses of our selfish tribal behaviours. We should all do good as we will be judged in the afterlife, was the message and this attempted to raise us to better standards. However, In the western world the Enlightment rejected the existence of gods and the afterlife as a myth and whilst this has reduced conflict between religions, this restraint on bad behaviour has lessened. Why be good if you will not be judged?
And that is the crux of the matter. If you are not going be held accountable for your bad behaviour why be good? If you are going to get away with it, acting in your own self interest or the interest of your tribe, pays and so increasingly bad behaviour becomes the norm. If there are no downsides why not lie, cheat, steal and be violent?
Road Rage, internet fraud and international law
When I’m isolated in my box on wheels, and no one can hear me, I have to confess I enjoy a good shout at other drivers whose driving style I don‘t like. This gives me a sense of freedom and power and in such circumstances, neuroscientists write that the brain rewards you with a pleasure drug. The other drivers will never know who I am, can’t hear me and can’t shout back. So I do it more and more, and the lie I tell myself, is that such behaviour is harmless. Until I forget that my window is down and then it is nasty and upsetting for the other driver.
I certainly don’t behave like this when walking down the street. Even if another pedestrian bumped into me whilst not looking where they were going, politeness and social constraints keep a check on my behaviour so we can all get on with our lives in a pleasant manner. Also, I would probably get a deserved mouthful back! Social penalties are in play.
Anonymity and lack of punishment also permits bad behaviour on the internet, and thus leads to it increasing. No one knows who any one is or where they live, so people can be rude, lie, embezzle, etc etc, things they would never do if they met face to face. There is little come back or shame, other than a down vote. Social media allows the worst side of our characters to grow as we act anonymously and we have no idea of the harm caused. Policing is minimal, penalties few. Users are expect to control themselves, but a lot don’t, and bad behaviour increases.
Laws are passed by Governments for the benefit of the societies they rule. They are enforced by the police and if that doesn’t work the army. International laws, are supposed to set out rules for the benefit of all nations, but as we are finding out they are difficult to enforce. If a country ignores them, sanctions can be imposed or fines talked of, but if these don’t work, what then? What we are finding out is that international laws and constraints on bad leaders are unenforceable with out violence and only work if countries agree to abide by them, because they, as well as other countries, realise all are better off and benefit by them. A lawless world is great for the strong, but not for the many.
Constraints by shame and punishment.
If rules and laws are broken, there must be enforcement, or they are nothing. There is a hierarchy of enforcement mechanisms. These are
1) Verbal telling off
2) Public shaming by the majority
3) Re-education
4) Fine or forced community work
5) Imprisonment or exile from the social group
6) Banning of social group
7) Sanctions
8) Use of Violence
This list is obviously not complete, but the point I want to make is that the ultimate enforcement mechanism we have is violence. Whether it be against an individual in the form of a police officer using physical force or a nation going to war, violence under pins our societies, and the world, as the ultimate enforcer, if all else fails.
Rules, laws and Enforcement
Social rules, regulations, national laws and international laws are supposed to ensure we all get along together and today are more important than ever. Change is happening at unprecedented speed and the rules should be guiding us through it. Of course they need updating from time to time but to ignore them means a free for all which ultimately leads to increased bad behaviour, and increased levels of violence. which is also the ultimate enforcement mechanism.
So rules and laws must be respected and enforced, or they are nothing. And this applies, whether it be the internet or international law.
If people, leaders and Governments use their intelligence rather than their instincts, and accept that rules are there for the benefit of all, and that they have a responsibility to comply and enforce them, (preferably with out the use of violence), the world be a much better place in which to live.
It should be obvious, but with out enforcement of fair laws, bad behaviours increase.
And some are all ready out of control.
