Most People
The Social Contract
The social contract, revisited roughly every four generations, represents the unspoken agreement that governs our lives to a satisfactory degree within society. It comprises the collective societal norms we adhere to in a particular culture. Some attribute these norms to a higher power, such as God or an Intelligent Designer, overseeing human affairs.
History
When examining the Rules of Life from a perspective of human anthropology, history, and sociology, they are essentially the guidelines determined by a specific group of people. These rules are established through convention and the consent of the populace, typically originating from a recognized social authority, with the understanding that they serve the collective interest of the majority as defined by the ruling class.
Function
At times, regulations serve to safeguard the minority within a population, while sometimes they do not fulfill this role. Occasionally, regulations prioritize the interests of the privileged segment of a society, often at the expense of others, and are upheld through brutal and oppressive means. Those within a particular culture tend to view these regulations as "good" simply because they are part of the cultural norms, without questioning their morality.
Civilized
A society is considered civilized when its regulations protect the interests of the minority, even shielding them from potential abuses by the dominant class. Conversely, if the minority, based on factors like race, belief, ideology, economic status, or abilities, is left vulnerable, the society is seen as primitive and oppressive. While historical texts can provide inspiration for societal rules, these rules are not inherently natural laws or divine decrees. Instead, they are determined collectively by people based on their cultural understanding.
Dictators
Even dictators can enjoy a prolonged period of prosperity if they adhere closely to the societal norms within a particular culture. This longevity is often achieved by amassing enough resources to shield themselves from the negative consequences of their oppressive rule on the general populace. As long as the society at large perceives the established norms as unchangeable, universally applicable, and relatively consistent, these norms remain fixed. Whether beneficial or detrimental, they come to represent the divine will within that culture at that time.
Off The Farm
In the early 21st century United States, relying solely on literal interpretations of ancient texts to define societal standards, particularly in the realm of economics, poses significant challenges. Notably, the nation has transitioned away from an agrarian-based economy. There are no guarantees that every family will have the means to secure a basic standard of living, nor is there assurance that ancestral lands will be retained and passed down through generations in the event of mismanagement. If such regulations are considered divine, then the current U.S. economic system, both in the present era and throughout much of its history, deviates significantly from these presumed sacred laws. Over the millennia since these historical texts were recorded (in any chosen tradition), the economic covenant promising access to essential resources for sustenance has dissolved from the societal framework.
It is worth noting that the United States has moved beyond being primarily an agrarian-based economy. There are no assurances that every family will possess the capability to sustain a basic standard of living, nor is there a guarantee that, in cases of mismanagement, a specific parcel of land will be passed down to future generations. If these regulations are considered to be of divine origin, then the current U.S. economic system, both in the contemporary era and throughout much of its history, diverges significantly from the presumed sacred principles. Over the course of thousands of years since ancient texts were formalized (in any chosen tradition), the economic assurance of being able to generate essential resources for survival has disappeared from the societal contract.
Self-Reliance
In rural America, many residents achieve a level of prosperity above mere survival by engaging in trade for their livelihoods, often supplemented by government subsidies. Despite the rhetoric of certain philosophical groups, most independent farmers cannot thrive as completely self-sufficient entities in the present economic landscape. This truth is seldom acknowledged publicly, as it clashes with the deeply ingrained cultural ideal of individual self-reliance.
Nevertheless, the undeniable reality is that human interconnectedness is pervasive in the United States. Hence, the societal guidelines and safety nets that ensure relative prosperity and protect against unforeseen circumstances must be aligned with the contemporary world for the majority of the population.
The Invisible Hand
It is imperative to establish updated guidelines in the U.S. that reflect the socioeconomic realities of the 21st century. Rather than through legislation, this should be accomplished by reshaping perceptions of how the economy functions within the societal framework. The principles rooted in agrarian feudalism from centuries past are ill-suited for a modern world dominated by large corporations. The notion of an "invisible hand of the market" or divine providence, as articulated by Adam Smith and the Apostle Paul respectively, no longer hold true in today's economy. Economic systems are human constructs that have evolved over time and have been ingrained in popular culture to form the prevailing beliefs of the social contract.
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