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To: BGHater

The issue is not tribalism versus individualism. Tribalism an clanishness flourish in low-trust societies that lack social capital. Individualism can flouish in societies with a high degree of trust and social capital. Why? Because you can’t go it alone in societies where strangers cannot be trusted. You have to stick with your clan/extended family/tribe.

So where do trust and social capital come from? Religion, particularly protestant Christianity. By fostering the attitudes of trust, reciprocity, and fairness the Calvinist/Protestant world made it safe for large groups of strangers to coordinate their actions and do things like form corporations and democratic institutions.


4 posted on 12/18/2007 11:43:50 AM PST by Jibaholic ("Those people who are not ruled by God will be ruled by tyrants." --William Penn)
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To: Jibaholic

you’ve been reading....interesting insights

but don’t forget.....all cultures are relative and just as smart too...dadburnit


16 posted on 12/18/2007 11:58:00 AM PST by wardaddy (I have come to the conclusion that even though imperfect....Thompson is my choice.)
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To: Jibaholic
‘The issue is not tribalism versus individualism. Tribalism an clanishness flourish in low-trust societies that lack social capital. Individualism can flouish in societies with a high degree of trust and social capital. Why? Because you can’t go it alone in societies where strangers cannot be trusted. You have to stick with your clan/extended family/tribe.’

You perfectly described Prison.

A great example of why the individuals breakdown into different ‘tribes’ to survive.

17 posted on 12/18/2007 12:00:45 PM PST by BGHater (If Guns Cause Crime Then Matches Cause Arson?)
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