One of the great lessons of human history is related to the swings of cultures and political movements caused by reactionary retaliation of one regime against another. These reactionary movements create great suffering and are often associated with wars, pogroms and social retrogression.
Large reactionary movements are a reflection of individual reactionary process. It seems a human characteristic to conform up to a breaking point, whereupon the conformist becomes a reactionary, once his/her tolerance has been exhausted. Then he/she embarks on an extreme counter position to try achieve some perceived equilibrium. This tug o' war can eventually achieve moderation of course, but the collateral damage to relationships and community is often devastating.
I believe our current mass-media culture is caught in a reactionary cycle. Usually, this is described as partisanship. Currently, the two-party system in the U.S, appears to be the tool of forces intent on manipulating and diverting the greater population through partisan reactions in order to protect and foster the socioeconomic domination by the few, who greedily hold the wealth of the country.
The unproductive nature of this process is best illustrated currently by the organized demonstrators who disrupt public meetings with government officials who are trying to develop universal health care systems in the U.S.. The demonstrators are apparently poorly educated and economically challenged supporters of the far Right. They are ginned up by propaganda on Rightist radio or by Rightist operatives. Perhaps they are paid to act in disruptive and antisocial ways at these meetings. This methodology, lifted from Mein Kampf, is a tried and true method of those at the top who wish to sabotage any political movement in a society with a growing impoverished and uneducated class.
Their reactionary tendencies, motivated most probably by racial, religious and social prejudices, are being used to defeat a political movement which would vastly improve their own lives. Their lack of education and information makes them vulnerable to be used in this way. Their frustration and economic dysfunction produce the sense of deprivation and entitlement which is the grist of the demagogue's propaganda mill.
How can this cycle of politics and history ever be disrupted? How can the human family become a functional force for health, education and general wellbeing on the planet?
If a society insures unlimited educational opportunities and health promotion for its citizens, it will begin on the path to societal wellness and progression. This is simple common sense. But, capitalism is not built on simple common sense. Overpopulation does not allow for simple common sense approaches to the most basic human needs.
The individual can begin a practice of being proactive vs. reactive in his/her own life. Perhaps, if enough individuals practice proactively over time, we can start a wave of more generalized proactive practice in society. Proactive practice entails guarding against dichotomy and polarity when approaching human issues. Proactive practice is the Middle Way or Middle Path.
