Every society is founded on a common principle. A group of people is more capable of producing more together than each person would be individually. Industrialized production and specialized labor are some examples of how the group size contributes to a larger per-person output of the social product. In this organization, the worker’s ability to labor is bound to the other workers. Since their machinery requires many hands to function, they require each other to produce as much as they require their tools. How well each laborer is able to perform their task, then, is necessarily tied to how well all workers as a whole are laboring. Where Capitalism reigns, there are even greater dependencies; not only is the laborer bound to themselves as a class, but they are bound to the class of proprietors. The worker rely on the owners of the bakeries and the mills for their sustenance; and they must rely on an employer as a laborer.
The Capitalist class has its own interdependencies, as well. The masters of production are united in their mutual desire of opposing the laboring class — to keep the subjugated class as dependent for as long as possible. There is also a tremendous amount of economic reliance between private business firms. They depend on each other for the resources of their production. It is clear to see, as well, that the larger firms tend to have a greater degree of influence; they are more capable of securing more for their self-interest when competing against other businesses or subduing local governments. But where the Capitalist enters the political arena, they are always weary not to displease other Capitalists in their actions; to quote Adam Smith, such an act of a Capitalist would be a “reproach to a master among his neighbours and equals.” [*2]
Between the workers, there is the natural and inherent interdependency based on their industrialized labor. But between the masters, there is also a dependency, or a unity. They are bound in their opposition to the interests of the workers and combined for their the interest of the propertied class. However, despite the conflicts between these two groups, the workers generally recognize something: even working in this system, where they are marginalized and persecuted, offers fewer miseries than living completely outside the society of humanity. This is the premise of society: each individual achieving their desires through their cooperation with others; because their collective efforts reap more for the individual, compared to laboring alone and outside of society. The whole is more valuable than the sum of all the parts. Social organization always drives back to this original concept.
Leaving Society
“The contention holds that what we call our civilization is largely responsible for our misery, and that we should be much happier if we gave it up and returned to primitive conditions. I call this contention astonishing because, in whatever way we may define the concept of civilization, it is a certain fact that all the things with which we seek to protect ourselves against the threats that emanate from the sources of suffering are part of that very civilization.”
–Sigmund Freud, 1930 [*3]
Any individual who turns away from society loses all of the benefits of the mutual cooperation. And especially after living in a comfortable world, few persons would do without what they’ve been brought up to admire, love, and enjoy. Losing one or two members from society will hardly effect its social order. A laborer or two can be replaced quickly, usually from stockpiling of the unemployed by the Capitalist. And, likewise, where a Capitalists rescinds their right to property to venture into un-societed land, their wealth is quickly usurped by their former equals. One or two taken out of the social order, and the rest can still take part in the cooperation scheme. This will not destroy the tremendous advantage that they receive by laboring together for their mutual interests. At least, if a few people leave society, it will not have this effect.
Individuals are bound to society by their need on each other. Their resulting combination provides a net of security and labor-saving organization. They are allowed benefits and advantages that wouldn’t be possible outside of the social unit. Even if the individual receives the smallest share from the collected efforts of the social order, they still enjoy more privileges than the hermit. For the few concessions that are given to the masters of industry, the individual laborer is still infinitely benefited. Their position will be more secure, stable, and comfortable than that of the person without a society. The allure of living without a master is not enough for the members of the social order. It would be too difficult to struggle alone against the valiant force of nature to survive; if they chose a landed society with a master, their miseries might be reduced by at least a hundred fold. This is the justification of these individuals in their concessions and submissions they allow to their chieftains and statesmen. health and safety awareness course