What we are seeing play out in our Presidential election is a textbook example of one of the most fundamental debates that has raged throughout all of human history. Is our species inherently kind, altruistic and compassionate, or selfish, and cruel?
As this campaign winds down, the stark choice before America has come into even sharper focus with Trump spewing an unprecedented barrage of lies, hateful divisive rhetoric fueled by fearful, increasingly dark threats of an apocalyptic America ruled by a "Mentally ill Communist" like Harris who will "Let murderers into your kitchen to kill you." His latest chilling rant, channeling Senator Joseph McCarthy, is how our "enemies within" are more of a threat than Russia China or any external adversary. The polar opposite, a cheerful positive and hopeful vision that defined the Vice President's launch, propelled her into a significant early lead, bringing joy and optimism to Democrats who could finally see the end of this MAGA phenomenon after nearly a decade. That lead has vanished, with virtually every poll now showing a statistical dead heat. What does this mean for our future and for the very soul of America?
Social scientists have vigorously debated this question, what is our true nature? One side presents compelling evidence that illustrates how at the dawn of our species, collaboration, the most basic tool required for survival resulted in interdependence and altruism, how shared goals and a succession of "selfless acts" helped to build social cohesion and an evolutionary advantage for humanity. Caring for one another is what saved us according to this hypothesis. The contrary view is summarized quite well by Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations. "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages." In other words, "self-interest" is the defining characteristic of our species according to this perspective, as we are creatures designed to win at all costs, and that is how we survived, caring about ourselves only, first and foremost. The assumption that "they are out to get you" is the beating heart of this world view. It is not difficult at all to see these competing views of our nature playing out in this campaign. Compassionate Conservatism? A dim and distant memory.
What does history tell us?
The Dark Ages were referred to as such for a very simple reason. It was a time when the European continent was defined by cultural and intellectual decline, the denial of science, iron-fisted theocratic rule, widespread suffering, plagues and feudalism. Then something utterly remarkable happened in the 14th century. Marsilio Ficino, the legendary Italian scholar often referred to as "The Father of the Renaissance" and who translated Plato's complete works and the Corpus Hermeticum, was appointed head of the Florentine Academy. He was tasked to create a new road map for humanity, inspired and guided by Neoplatonic Metaphysics and deeply spiritual principles. The result was the Renaissance, a miraculous "rebirth" of humanity, an explosion of art, culture, music, literature and philosophy. Civilization had a "reboot" that set Western civilization on a course that redefined everything, laying the groundwork for humanism and the Age of Enlightenment.
In the late 12th century, a young Iroquois Native, "The Peacemaker", had a remarkable mystical vision, how to end the ceaseless and savage war between tribes of the Northeast. The Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy and the "Great Law of Peace" ensued, resulting in the end of virtually all conflict between the tribes. This spiritual transformation had extensive historical implications across the continent and the entire world. In 1754 Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson met with the Confederacy, and were inspired by what had been achieved, compelling them to incorporate what they had learned into the framework for the United States government. In 1988, the U.S. Senate acknowledged this with a resolution that said "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the constitution itself."
Mahatma Ghandi toppled the mighty British empire with peaceful nonviolent protests. Satyagraha was his NorthStar, which he referred to as "surgery to the soul" with the goal to "awaken the humanity" in those who opposed him. Martin Luther King who modeled his work after Ghandi achieved similar results, transforming the landscape of America forever. The movements for Civil Rights, a women's right to vote, child labor laws, workplace safety, the protection of the environment, and many other basic essential guidelines for a humane society were all inspired by an impulse that can easily be defined as spiritual. Spirituality is derived from the Latin word for "breath, that which animates life." Spiritual principles have been instrumental in guiding and impacting the destiny of humanity for centuries, with many of the most consequential policy decisions in history having been inspired by deeply cherished values and beliefs.
Neurological science, and the widespread interest, understanding and adoption of the practice of mindfulness, has clearly illustrated how you become what you focus on. Quantum Physics has conclusively demonstrated that entanglement, the connectedness of all things, is a scientific fact. There are growing movements around the world to embody this understanding of the nature of things into policy, from Deep Ecology to the many iterations of sustainable development, the building blocks for a new vision for humanity. Conversely, neurology also tells us that the primitive, limbic component of our brains, the "flight or fight" impulse, responds quicker and more instinctively to fear than to empathy, hope or love. It is no accident that Trump is showing up in states where he has no possible chance to win, as his prime directive, as it has always been, is to take every opportunity to stoke fear wherever possible seizing on any event that will give him the slightest opening to weave his dark web. This relentless tactic, creating fear of the "other", has been the strategic focus of every tyrant and dictator in history as a reliable path to achieve domination and control. His open admiration for tyrants and dictators is also a well-established fact. It seems to not matter one iota to those who share his views, nor to those bombarded with relentless fear mongering that has apparently clouded their judgement. The usual response from MAGA devotees, when asked "Why is this so?", is that America needs to be "Liberated from Woke policies". A close friend has offered a remarkably efficient response to that line of reasoning. "You really want to end woke-ism? It's so easy. Just get rid of racism, fascism, injustice, gender bias, discrimination, persecution and inequality... and woke-ism will instantaneously disappear."
One understated fact about American politics is that total job creation from the 13 presidents since Truman was approximately 70.5 million for the 7 Democratic presidents and 29.1 million for the 6 Republican presidents. Job growth, GDP growth, favorable unemployment statistics and life-affirming legislative initiatives defines the Democratic Party and underscore its achievements. While these statistics will never soften the impact on those who have suffered through the latest inflationary period, they do reveal a fundamental truth. Democratic policies inevitably favor enhancing the lives of Americans, inspired by essential values that have been the foundation of success for our species for millennia. Republicans on the other hand have cornered the market on anger and fear, their NorthStar. We have been woefully under delivering on this message. Why is immaterial at this late stage. Let's get on it.
It is clear what the choice is before us on November 5th. Will we, as a nation, regress, "go back", embracing fear, division, and anger, or will we collectively choose the opposite path forward that reflects the Spiritual Essence of Politics, that which has given us so much, and which embodies the sacred promise of humanity.
