It is a part of human nature to look for ways to get as much benefit as possible with the least amount of effort. This a good trait that motivates us to improve our quality of life. The trouble is that many use this as an excuse to plunder others. Rather than going through the trouble of learning, self discipline and innovation, it is easier to take what belongs to another. People have been struggling for centuries to find a way to form societies where those who are willing to pass through the fire can keep what they have earned and those who are unwilling can at least have their daily needs met. This is no easy task.

With primitive tribal systems, nature is the taskmaster. The tribe will starve if people aren’t willing to hunt and gather. Some tribes became warrior nations so they could easily plunder others if they were lacking anything. Most were nomadic so they could move on to better areas if nature wasn’t cooperating by supplying their needs. This required large areas, had little incentive for improvement and wrecked havoc on the surrounding civil societies. In Europe, there were Vikings, Mongols and others that hadn’t formed civil societies and were known for plundering others.

In a civil society, the goal is to allow people to use their talents and passions without having others pilfer what they have accomplished. The protections come about once the people have taken control. They assemble and agree upon laws. In order to have protection for private ownership and to have a say in governing, requirements have to be in place for citizenship. This is so violent or non-violent nomadic people who should be using their own resources to succeed, cannot come in and pilfer what the citizens have accomplished through their common sacrifices. There are always citizens who are down in their luck and may have lost everything. Most civil societies have programs in place to help them. Those interested in plunder will always characterize themselves as such. That is why nations have legal processes in place to make sure those who come in are non-violent and are not coming in for a life of plunder but one of productivity.

Much of what is going on today concerning immigration is more of a money making scheme by smugglers who act like travel agents. They make millions by convincing others they need to relocate. These same people make promises that the destination nations cannot keep. Yet the travelers are taught from their youth to resent the nations they are convinced to relocate to. The proper way to improve their lot is to stand up for themselves and ask for help from others. Unfortunately it is popular to call civil nations that try to help those who want become civil, colonialists. This rhetoric is used by those who benefit from these oppressive societies. But if a people find it difficult to establish a civil society, there is nothing wrong with asking assistance from the countries they want to copy. Everyone benefits when they stay put and become successful in the areas they are established.

Every person wants to live a good life with a certain degree of success in the areas they are passionate about. Self interest isn’t a diabolical motive. Rather than frustrating ourselves trying to navigate through politics, lets take time to look at common principles that we all can agree on. The best way to pursue happiness is through hard work and exhibiting good character. When a people of good character see others succeed, they will want to emulate what these successful people are doing with the hope of having the same degree of success. A good society will consist of people who are good at making voluntary deals with each other so all those involved can improve their lives. This is what it means to be just.

We naturally want to expedite the process of acquiring wealth and success. This is where things can go wrong. There are those who make a good living off inspiring others. They do it by pointing to the known principle of emulating good behaviors. This is the good side of helping others. But there is a diabolical side to inspiration, a shortcut side. It is based in envy and confiscation rather than good character and hard work. The leaders of these movements develop envy and entitlement in their followers rather than admiration and incentive. First they divide people into classes such as unbelievers and true believers, rich and the poor or black and white. After this, resentments are stoked through exaggerating the faults of the opposing classes. Finally, conclusions are drawn that others don’t deserve what they have and something must be done to confiscate it. This mindset forms the basis for every war.

The good news is that it doesn’t take political, community or religious leaders to cause us to work hard, exhibit good character and to have a degree of satisfaction in our lives. It is a personal choice. Every person is capable of making improvements within their own realm of influence with the time they possess. While the merchants of discord do their best to form resentments, those who have good character are enjoying their lives by emulating successful practices and being a good example to others.