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DISCUSSION: A Good Day for Change
What is civilisation?
Civilisation is more than a society, more than a people, more than a
culture. Civilisation is the measure by which we as individuals and we as
a society interact, behave, progress. Inherent within this is how we treat
others. This also includes how we secure the future – and
what
we do to secure the future.
Civilisation is many things to many people. What it is, is the state of an individual or society, and the forward progression to achieve a better life in a secure, considerate and tolerant environment. We all want to survive. Yet civilisation is more than this. It’s about building upon the past good points to create something even better through the present into the future.
This includes the issues of healthcare, welfare, food distribution. It includes education. It includes safety. This is not a pointless dream cast adrift amid an ocean of lost dreams. It is a worthwhile goal for worthwhile people who struggle each and every day to achieve something better than they have previously experienced. As children this dream is imparted to us. And it is a worthy dream calling to all the senses of our surface and sub-surface humanity.
What civilisation can’t be is achievable through bombs and bullets and hatred. What it can’t be is achievable through putting profit before people. What it can’t be is upheld by indiscriminate and horrific violence. There has to be a framework of law and people who are civilised must uphold this law. There has to be mutual and sustainable benefit. There has to be respect. There has to be fairness. There has to be a combined identity people are sure about and are proud of. These are the means by which society is bound together. Unravel the law – for anyone – and damage is done.
The rule of national law is paramount to the functioning of that nation.
In all societies there have always been and always will be people who do not abide by the law, for whatever reason they have. In todays society we are confronted by a minority of people who seek to impose their own version of the law on the majority. This is displayed by the implementation of terrorist acts or the implementation of profit over people. Perhaps not so strangely the two are closely linked. However, as the saying goes – two wrongs don’t make a right.
So who is civilised?
To varying degrees, most of us are. We all want to survive the best way we can. We all want to progress. We all want to be treated with respect. We all want a chance.
People who plant bombs are outside civilisation.
Statesmen who provide a mechanism for either overt or covert war for no reason other than their own personal power, are outside civilisation.
Companies who grossly pollute or cause harm in the name of their profit margin, are outside civilisation.
In their own way, those who are outside civilisation either by default or by design, piece by piece destroy the fabric of civilisation. We all suffer because of their lack of civilisation, their lack of humanity and understanding. They provide only a route to chaos.
So what is civilisation?
Civilisation is a constant struggle between those who want civilisation and those who want to abuse. Civilisation is therefore the personal responsibility of each and every one of us.
But
what can one person do against what may seem insurmountable barriers?
Each of us can do a little. Many little pieces produce a large piece. And a large piece can move the world. We can break down the barriers. We can become better than we are. We can unite against the chaos. What we can’t do is turn away and allow the encroaching chaos to succeed. Please be assured - you are not alone. We all stand together.
We have all suffered enough at the hands of those who have no consideration, at the inhuman hands of those who are not civilised and don’t want to be civilised, those who thrive on chaos, suffering and anguish.
Today is a good day for change. Civilisation is important. Without it life will not get better.
Would you like life to be better?
Written by: JAMES STUART http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesstuart - new direction and development through innovation
Insight through understanding. Advice you can trust.
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