Is it possible that society has its priorities confused?

Yes

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by Rosemary Redfern

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If society is taken to be a group of people who are distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, shared culture and institutions, we can understand that there are a number of societies worldwide each of which will have differences. For this reason it is easiest to consider Western society because although there are variations in ideals, there is a common understanding of the culture.

Priorities are established in order of importance and urgency, depending on what that society holds to be of value.

Western society professes to want peace, universal education, health care for all and economic growth among others ideals.

Economic growth has been achieved in recent years at a terrible cost to many. Banks have only survived because governments have bailed them out because otherwise there would have been a complete collapse of our monetary and social systems. The alternative would have been riots in the streets and widespread starvation.

Universal education happens in theory. Free schooling is available in most of the West with variable results in the competence of the pupils, yet when we come to higher education this has to be funded by the student and their family, often with a heavy financial and emotional cost. The understanding that the wealth of a nation rests in the skills and education of their population seems to have been missed. Education should not be elitist but available for those who can demonstrate ability and use it if they want to

The aim for individuals to live in peace and harmony within the home, within their community and with their neighboring countries is there most of the time. When communities are not under threat, they can work well and creatively. But there are a number of factors which destabilize this. We have the problem that religious groups have strict rules which their members are expected to adhere to, regardless of how this does or does not sit with their neighbors. There is often intolerance of emotional issues which cause individuals to behave in strange ways. There is a skewed understanding of the motives of others and there is the gender issue.

A population which is in good health physically and which has free or inexpensive medical care works far better than when good health care is not easily available and the financial restraints of paying for simple medical support is heavy.

What should the priorities of a society be? A society which purports to be humane looks after its members. That means good health care at affordable prices or free, paid for by taxes. High quality education which allows individuals to gain the knowledge and expertise they need with the result that the community gains from their skills. A financial system which is not based on growth at any cost and which allows members of that society to live with what they need which is not always the same as what they want. A culture of tolerance tinged with common sense which allows the group to see when someone is badly out of step with general beliefs and to find out why. A recognition that gender is not an issue. Men and women both have skills and aptitudes to bring to the community in valuable ways; they might be different but that is a gain. If these elements are in place, there is no need to worry about peace because no one will need to disturb it trying to gain what is not theirs.

Unfortunately, while many pay lip service to these ideals, few are prepared to put themselves out to attain them. Old prejudices, the culture of the community they live in, pressures to conform to someone else's ideals all get in the way. And the issue of climate change which might be happening has not even been mentioned. We get the results of what we do.

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