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(12,712 posts)I wonder what that says about the individual psyche and collective consciousness of this species?
Is this an inherit, wired trait or an aspect of cultural conditioning, or both? I consider the nature/nurture debate to be about two sides of the same coin, so, even with the many variables involved, I imagine the same is true for traits/culture. Certain kinds of conditioning in a culture begin very early in the developmental process, and there are obvious flaws in that in respects to authority and the deprecation of critical thinking. Western religious dogmas often allow for and encourage authoritarians and subservience to them, whereas the teaching and promotion of higher order, rational ethics might actually negate that, so the nature of the education system is implicated as well.
As far as the masses go, ignore-ance seems to factor in as a vulnerability, yet, historically, many intellectuals, academics, philosophers, scientists and clergy have been lured into the miasma of tyranny for various reasons like power, self-preservation and other perks, once it gets going full swing as populism. Perhaps a herd mentality holds sway, as well?
Yet, in light of the above, we could say that a society/culture, collectively has to take responsibility, to the proper degree, for how resilient a population will be to that kind of phenomena, that is, if it does respect its population and does not consider such resilience to be a threat and it does not require its citizens to be pliable and easily manipulated for ulterior motives. And yes, I am being sarcastic and know full well that is the case. The American education system, overall, has not been utilized, in my opinion, to accomplish the task of inculcating skills and values that a true democracy and freedom demand. In fact, it has been increasingly doing the opposite since, at least, the 50s-60s as far as quality goes. The dumbing down began around that time, though the authoritarian essence has prevailed much longer and, other than in higher education, since the inception of compulsory education.
"War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength;"