“Alexis de Tocqueville once described what he saw as a chief part of the peculiar genius of American society—something he called “self-interest properly understood.” The last two words were the key. Everyone possesses self-interest in a narrow sense: I want what’s good for me right now! Self-interest “properly understood” is different. It means appreciating that paying attention to everyone else’s self-interest—in other words, the common welfare—is in fact a precondition for one’s own ultimate well-being. Tocqueville was not suggesting that there was anything noble or idealistic about this outlook—in fact, he was suggesting the opposite. It was a mark of American pragmatism. Those canny Americans understood a basic fact: looking out for the other guy isn’t just good for the soul—it’s good for business.”

Well, yes and no; over some things and not others; sometimes and maybe not now.  Sure wouldn’t want to be in Obama’s shoes now!  And while a lot of us would like to  call the shots from a distance, fewer of us would like to be around when the ‘fit hits the shan’.

Leadership equates to responsibility, and laziness, complacency and cynicism all get in the way.  And in such a diverse society, there are countless venues to apply this trait short of Kingship.

Yet on the other side of the same coin, the side that this website so thoughtfully articulates, the social and cultural context is hugely influential of the choices we end up making (duh!).  Even in this “democracy” we are more inclined to be serfs than kings.  And our education system is increasingly geared toward this – see Nick Kristof’s  Sunday Times article “Pay Teachers More”.  I recommend you add this to your “Recently Read” digest column, Al.

My ideal kingdom would be very ‘fluid’ where citizens could try out the various levels of “Global Leadership” with low risk.  That’s where the conditions of the ‘low stakes economy’ become mandatory – see “Stakes”.  Sadly, we are moving further away from this ideal.

“Everyone wants to be the boss – nobody wants to do the work.” I’d say there are two motivations here. One we might call laziness, which I think is the common, albeit cynical explanation. The other motivation is that in a hierarchical (autocratic) society the people doing the work are lower than the boss. They’re worth less. They have less dignity. And in a high-stakes economy (see Stakes) put themselves and their families at risk whenever they accede to serving (doing the work). I think the laziness explanation masks a rightful source of discontent while defiling our character.

“We are all smarter than we are given credit.” Here, here!

“There are no “bad” cowboys – only “sick” cowboys who need understanding.” I agree, but I’d add that it’s the social environment that’s sick even more than the cowboys (see Social Imperative and A Few Bad Apples), and that we tend to blame individuals for the environment we place them in.

“Wit and satire sometimes are the best tools to point our life’s absurdities.” Yes, it allows us to tell the truth without being too dark, and yet it only leads indirectly to action.

“I get to be the King!” If we all took the viewpoint of wise and benevolent kings, I think it’d lead to more agreement and better courses of action. It’s actually a much better view than that of serfs, artisans and vassals (see Roles).

It was good to meet you in person. I hope you’ll read and comment some more.

We are all smarter than we are given credit.

There are no “bad” cowboys – only “sick” cowboys who need understanding.

Wit and satire sometimes are the best tools to point our life’s absurdities.

Yes – it was tongue-in-cheek (except for the part where I get to be the King!).

I’m thinking much of your post is tongue in cheek. It’d be great to hear more of your views straight up.

We are not equal – never were – never will be. And we can only be “happy” if we “accept” our status in the hierarchy.

So —- pick up your hoe and start weeding the farm and let us great thinkers and great doers take our rightful place high-up on the stage of the world!

Huh? What do you mean – I’m the one who gets to work the business end of the hoe? And you get the big white house in DC – with the pension and the health-care?

No-no — you’ve got it wrong – I’m the smart one – you’re the insignificant one!

Come on now — my hands blister so easily. If I can’t be the king – then I don’t want-a play.

And you’ll be sorry – believe me – very-very sorry!

Because – come the revolution – things will be put back in proper order!

Signed: the Rightful (once and future) Philosopher King