Complexity is Where We Live

Adjust, rather than retreat from complex ideas

The fact that society is complex does not mean that it is incomprehensible.  Nor does it mean that we can ignore the hard issues or defer to partisan rhetoric.  I’ve been reading several books about economic issues and admit that it often seems like I’m trudging through snow drifts.  There are important issues that I could reasonably understand with more detailed attention, but then I might lose sight of the forest while studying the trees.  (Or disappear from view for long periods of time.)

My advice is twofold.  Depend upon good sources to have done the heavy lifting for you, and focus on their conclusions.  You can generally tell from the nature of their writing, and the sources they cite, which “experts” deserve our attention.    

Second, connect the dots.  Don’t, that is, lose sight of the larger picture.  Politics is economic policy.  Economic policy is politics.  Technological change creates new imbalances and new disproportionate advantages in a dynamic social reality.  As a participant is this society, as the source, at least in theory of national sovereignty, we must debate, find common ground, recognize new social “good,” and vote in elections. 

Our old allegiances may or may not provide guidance.  You are not a democratic citizen by simple being a Democrat.  You are not defending the republic simply by remaining a Republican. 

Encourage others to reassess their loyalties.  Realize that principles are fully contextual (i.e. depend upon circumstances to be faithfully applied).  Accept the risk of using your own experience to interpret the world.  And, more important, find allies, those with whom you share common ground. Then work together.