Another great one. The trade-off in places like Switzerland is the fact that people are willing to follow the rules. If they don't follow the rules, they can not stay in the country (according to Eli Zangvil of Uni high circa '80? who lives there). You go to the shop to get your car fixed; they fix it; you drive off; later, you get a bill; you pay it. If you don't pay it, you get few chances before you lose your citizenship. This is what he told me. People do not litter. They pay their taxes. They cooperate with each other and the government. Happily. US Citizens would not make that exchange. Too many people in this country have no concept of a social contract. Nor do "we" have a true sense of legacy or history.
Thank you!! And yes to all you say! Switzerland would likely be too full of rules for me. Still, we could do some of what they do when it comes to work-life balance and better public transit. On the other hand, I read that they once voted to increase their taxes (!), which can only happen when people feel like they're getting something for their taxes. In our individualistic culture, that would be decried as "socialist" and would never happen.
The cult of Individualism has been a political marketing tool in Western capitalism so long that we may need to relearn the benefits of collective responsibility and action. But I'm sure many in a red state frame-of-mind would just want to call me a commie for saying so. Let's hope that there is enough "muscle memory" in our species to reassert collective responsibility as the ethos that can save us from our individualistic fears.
Another great one. The trade-off in places like Switzerland is the fact that people are willing to follow the rules. If they don't follow the rules, they can not stay in the country (according to Eli Zangvil of Uni high circa '80? who lives there). You go to the shop to get your car fixed; they fix it; you drive off; later, you get a bill; you pay it. If you don't pay it, you get few chances before you lose your citizenship. This is what he told me. People do not litter. They pay their taxes. They cooperate with each other and the government. Happily. US Citizens would not make that exchange. Too many people in this country have no concept of a social contract. Nor do "we" have a true sense of legacy or history.
Thank you!! And yes to all you say! Switzerland would likely be too full of rules for me. Still, we could do some of what they do when it comes to work-life balance and better public transit. On the other hand, I read that they once voted to increase their taxes (!), which can only happen when people feel like they're getting something for their taxes. In our individualistic culture, that would be decried as "socialist" and would never happen.
This is a great piece, Rosana. But to answer your question: yes, we have gone crazy. And it comes out in a myriad of ways, small and large.
Thanks — and sadly, yes. I wonder if and when we'll change course.
The cult of Individualism has been a political marketing tool in Western capitalism so long that we may need to relearn the benefits of collective responsibility and action. But I'm sure many in a red state frame-of-mind would just want to call me a commie for saying so. Let's hope that there is enough "muscle memory" in our species to reassert collective responsibility as the ethos that can save us from our individualistic fears.
Definitely a political, capitalist marketing tool!