User:Sfrahm/edit societism

Societism is a social organizational (ontological) philosophy that promotes individual involvement to collectively balance the needs of diverse individuals with the powers of government, business and media self-interests, for the good of a whole society. Unlike individualism that merely represents self interest, Societism represents the collective interest of a group such as "we the people." A concept expressed by the founding fathers of the United States of America in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Societism maintains that by combining the individual efforts of many, collaborative synergy can elevate their voices above the influence of corporate self-interest groups to improve both individual and overall societal goals dramatically.

Social Philosophy
Societism may be characterized as a form of enlightened self-interest; a natural outcome or outgrowth of responsible individualism . The next level of self-interested, yet collective action that represents an alternative to the Tyranny of the Majority that is Socialism. Societism addresses the shortcomings of an individuals ability to effect systemic change, limited by self-centered and bewildered natural behavior, which may over time become complacent, apathetic and immune to public and corporate representation.

Economic Principles
The economic principals of Societism generally follow the Austrian School of economic thought. Advocating laisse faire economic principals of limited government and Austrian Business Cycle Theory. Austrian economists view entrepreneurship as the driving force in economic development, see private property as essential to the efficient use of resources, and usually see government interference in market processes as counterproductive.

Societism is similar to Libertarianism in their reliance on the institutions of civil society and a free market to promote social order and economic prosperity. Each society has basic economic goals; that is, freedom of choice, efficiency, equity, full employment, price stability, growth, and security. Achievement of these goals require ongoing trade-offs and compromise. Members of a particular society need to develop analytical skills to be able to assess economic issues and proposed governmental policies in light of these goals.

Political Basis
By definition the foundational concept of Societism is non-partisan. Libertarian in fostering freedom of choice, encouraging individuals to each work in their own self-interest. Democratic in asserting the right of citizens to govern themselves through majority rule. Republican where those who each make the effort to fractionally raise the tide, will ride the forefront of each wave and be the first to reap it's benefits.

Societism is precluded from degeneration into anarchy, sometimes associated with certain forms of Libertarianism and Democracies, by consideration of, and attention to the good of society as a whole. By assuming personal responsibility for systemic growth, Societism puts a end to finger pointing by opposing camps playing the blame game. Societism supports the general concepts of political liberalism, encompassing support for: freedom of thought and speech, and paleoconservative limitations on the powers of government, affirming an individual's right to private property, and the rule of law, and a transparent system of government.

James Madison, an American politician and political philosopher who served as the fourth President of the United States (1809–1817), presciently identified Societism when he said, “The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.″

Even though individual motives may be primarily self-centered, social good derived as a byproduct of collective participation in a political process can potentially be enormous. Conversely, if good men with at least some measure of altruistic motive refuse to participate, imminent disaster is assured.

Criticism
Societism has been criticized as a foreign concept driven by Non-Governmental Organizations implementing Western ideology from those who espouse a dialectical socialist viewpoint. Critics of the principals of Societism as it relates to the Austrian school of economic thought cite its rejection of the use of scientific method and empirical testing in social sciences in favor of self-evident axioms and logical reasoning.

Postmodern Phenomena
The free and open discussions of the town hall meeting are being restored through new web applications such as forums, blogs and wikis. Through these web 2.0 enabling technologies, individuals are able to learn for themselves by doing their own independent research, and challenge the information warfare and organized marketing campaigns that have been waged against them by entrenched interests of the twentieth century corporatocracy.