Survival__ Structuring Prosperity for Yourself and the Nation - Charles George Smith [173]
Unfortunately, the entitlement mindset encouraged by the Savior State incentivizes a victim mentality which demands something for nothing even as it directs a perverse resentment at the giver.
This is the exact opposite of radical self-reliance, which works from the basic understanding that to get something, one must first give something, and do so freely. In capitalist terms, capital must be put at risk to earn a return. For individuals and households, "capital" is not just money but social capital (networks) and "time"/labor/skill capital.
Thus the foundation of radical self-reliance is reciprocity, which is mutually self-serving as opposed to selflessly generous. Reciprocity requires freely offered and mutually acceptable exchange which benefits both parties and strengthens the bonds of the group/network/community which facilitates and supports the exchange.
Traditional societies offer many examples of Stateless self-reliance; however, this security comes with a high cost: rigid and oft-times repressive social hierarchies. In the era of devolving Savior States we are now entering, social and commercial networks will be freely chosen.
Nobody owes anyone anything. If you refuse mutually beneficial exchange and the civility, trust and cooperation this requires, then you're on your own. That's the choice each person faces, regardless of his or her conditions, strengths, handicaps and weaknesses.
Groups and communities also have to practice triage: those few who drain an inordinate amount of resources via theft, anti-social behavior or other unproductive demands on limited capital and time are shunned or ejected. Anyone who wants to accept the burdens of dealing with these disruptive souls is free to do so, but they cannot force the group to expend its limited capital and time to benefit a few disruptive people.
I want to be clear here that I am not referring to the incapacitated elderly or mentally ill--those who no longer have the capacity to contribute--but to those who could contribute but who choose to be parasites or disruptive drains on their community.
Since the status quo Savior State still appears robust, this sounds harsh. But once capital, the FEW resources and time become scarce then triage will become necessary. Studies have shown that a relative handful of customers consume much of the customer service provided by a given enterprise. Refusing to serve those customers is an essential step in the survival triage of an enterprise; these customers are simply not worth the time and capital being expended in the fruitless attempt to satisfy their endless demands.
In radical self-reliance, choice recovers ground lost to compulsory obligations. The mindset and expectation that something is "my due" or "my right" will devolve along with the coercive Elitist Savior State. Our rights will re-set to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as set forth in the Bill of Rights.
In essence, radical self-reliance is merely the sum of the other 14 principles stated here. Secure (low-risk) prosperity which is independent of the devolving Savior State and the financial Power Elites demands an adult focus on both process and outcome.
If the process isn't producing the desired results/outcome, then it must be modified: engagement, transparency, accountability and management.
If the information is faulty, purposefully obscured or skewed, then it must be made transparent.
If the strategy is failing, then those making the decisions and managing the action must be held accountable. Realistic assessments, cost-benefit analyses and modifying processes and trade-offs requires an adult understanding.
Entitlement mindsets are not secure foundations for survival; freely entered exchange within mutually beneficial networks--reciprocity--is a far more sustainable,