Western societies: Now they are breaking we can discover why they worked in the first place

It struck me as I was riding back from the gym about how much I have learned about Western society, its form, function and history over the last few years. I am by no means an expert but as our societies are pulled apart, I have had cause to ask myself why this is happening and my exploration for answers has provided insight into how they worked in the first place, why they were so dominant and how this came about.

If there is anything on the other side of the changes we are experiencing and the climax that I envisage realizing soon (I call it 'The Reckoning', sounds like a Stephen King title), then these insights will be very useful for those who are left to perhaps build a better society.

Where to start then on why the Western Societies are still (just)and historically were pre-eminent amongst all others? I will give it a go and I am going in no particular order because I am not qualified to do so. These are my random thoughts, some are probably just extensions of others. I have not mentioned many other things that I think are pivotal to this premise such as international trade only because in this regard this is not unique to the West.

1) Christianity, Enlightenment, and Human Rights

Christianity, after going through the Reformation and Enlightenment, became much more benign and formed the foundation for human rights, which ultimately led to the abolishment of slavery and greater equality.

The Reformation and Enlightenment challenged dogmatic authority and moved Christianity towards a more ethical and individualistic foundation, one that stressed compassion, justice, and human dignity. As Christianity evolved, the moral implications of practices like slavery became more evident. The Abolition Movement in the 18th and 19th centuries was heavily influenced by Christian moral reasoning (particularly from Quakers, Evangelicals, and later, the civil rights movements).

This radical idea had massive long term impact. The idea of universal human rights not just as a religious imperative, but as a philosophical and ethical foundation. It would form the bedrock of modern legal systems. Christianity, when purged of its more authoritarian elements, began to lay the groundwork for progressive ideas like equality and social justice that would later shape Western democracies.

This is where Islam specifically is wanting., It has never experienced a reformation. It is still run like the Old Testament. I am not sure that any of these religions were beneficial at any stage of humanities development. I am certain that the medieval versions have pretty much nothing positive to offer a modern western state.

2) Cousin Marriage and the Expansion of Alliances

Following on from the enlightenment came the idea of not marrying your cousin or any other member of your family. It has to be a big one and not just for the limited genetic diversity that comes from this which is well documented. Cousin marriage is a way to keep a clan together but it is a primitive and backward way to run a society.

Once these practices were abolished, societies were able to form broader alliances, which ultimately increased intelligence, intellectual and cultural growth, improved trade, and led to the establishment of systems like law to facilitate cooperation. Because when there are no family ties, you need other mechanisms to ensure consensus and to legislate for bad actors. You can't rely on your uncle thrashing his son and your husband to keep it all working.

So, by moving beyond familial ties and tribal allegiances, Western societies were able to develop more meritocratic systems, where individual capabilities, ideas, and cultural exchange became the driving forces for progress. This then led to the development of scientific thought, philosophy, and economic systems that emphasized rational thinking and cooperation across borders. This I think is a big factor in how large stable societies were formed and then able to trade with their other successful counterparts to create the prosperity of the West.

We still see cousin marriage and clans being used to run the most unsuccessful societies on the planet. We now have the opportunity to see it first hand as these clans have moved here and we can see a return to these primitive ways.

3) Minimal state interference and individual freedom

Limiting the power of the state allowed individuals to have a level of personal autonomy that was relatively rare in many other regions where centralized power was and still is more authoritarian.

The development of capitalism is deeply tied to this idea. As states limited their interference in the market, individuals were able to create, invest, and compete freely. The Industrial Revolution and the rapid growth of the free market in the West were direct results of these freedoms.

With less regulation, entrepreneurs could experiment, invent, and innovate. From James Watt’s steam engine to Thomas Edison’s electric light bulb, individuals were able to follow their creative visions and change the world without state intervention or religious dogma holding them back.

Without government monopolies controlling major industries or stifling private investments, individuals had the freedom to invest in new technologies, industries, and markets. This led to economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements.

Just allowing individuals to get on and do it without looking and relying on the state was incredibly liberating and the results showed with exponential economic growth and scientific advancement.

The enlightenment again was pivotal. It allowed philosophers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to discover and promote ideas of individual rights, separation of powers, and limited government. They argued that the state’s role should be limited to protecting the rights of individuals and ensuring law and order without interfering in their personal lives.

The Enlightenment also inspired the growth of democratic systems, where governments were made accountable to the people, and the state was not allowed to dictate personal beliefs or private life. The American Revolution and the French Revolution were both products of these Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing the rights of individuals to self-govern and decide their own fate.

4) Capitalism: The Absence of State Monopolies and Centralized Control

The Western world also saw the rise of the free market, where individuals could compete freely and where governments did not run every aspect of society. This allowed for the decentralization of power, which has had profound effects on both the economy and society.

You see Capitalism, which thrives in a system where governments limit their interference, allowed for the emergence of global trade, the growth of cities, and the spread of new technologies. Private property and free competition were key to allowing innovation to flourish. Without monopolies or state-run economies, companies and individuals had the freedom to compete, improving efficiency and productivity.

Competition then arose with the absence of a central authority controlling every market. Individuals could create new businesses and products. Innovation in manufacturing, technology, and services flourished because of competition.

At its best, when it is working correctly, the Western system of governmental checks and balances, where power is divided between branches of government prevents any single entity from having absolute control. This system encourages personal freedom, where individuals can influence government decisions and avoid oppressive rule. It also encourages entrepreneurial spirit and personal responsibility, as individuals know they are responsible for their own success or failure.

Sadly, we are now experiencing a reverse of this - State control, the expansion of the Government into all areas of our lives, centralization in the form of the EU, massive increases in the Civil service and the rise of Corporatism - unelected, giant monopolies that gobble up every competitor and centralize power.

5) The Absence of Religion in Enforcing Conduct

Separation of religion and state. This is key. While religion played a huge role in earlier European history (e.g., in the Middle Ages, where the Catholic Church had immense power), the secularization that occurred after the Enlightenment allowed individuals to govern their own moral and ethical choices without the interference of religious authorities.

Historically we were heavily influenced by religious institutions, which often dictated laws, morality, and even daily life. With the decline of this religious dominance in the West, individuals were no longer bound by a rigid set of moral codes handed down by religious authorities, zealots and radicals. Instead, societies began to embrace moral relativism, where personal beliefs could guide behaviour rather than institutionalized doctrine. Now, this may have just gone too far which is why we are seeing the West actually fracture because there is no moral consensus at all - but that is a discussion for another article.

Smart people were allowed to invent some very smart legislation such as in the United States, where the First Amendment established the separation of church and state, preventing religious institutions from dictating public policy. This allowed for greater freedom of thought and personal expression.

When religion was finally battered into submission, individuals like Galileo, Newton, and Darwin were able to question religious dogma and pursue a rational understanding of the world. And so we have a far superior understanding of the universe, nature, and even ourselves than our religiously subjugated ancestors. I would go so far as to say that the enlightenment actually benefited Christianity. It might not be the all powerful monopoly it once was but by and large it is a lot more tolerant and reasonable.

With the re-introduction of sectarian politics into Western Democracies we can look forward to a return to governance from religious zealots and fanatics interpreting ancient, illiterate scripts written by imaginary entities.

5) Democracy and the Erosion of the Clan System

So returning to the destruction of the clan-based systems, democracy was able to emerge, where ideas and merit became the basis for political power rather than religious or family connections. This led to greater equality, prosperity, and reduced crime and violence.

At its best, democracy allows for social mobility, where individuals can rise based on their skills, ideas, and contributions to society, rather than their birth-right or family connections. The transition from a feudal or tribal system to democracy also provided the foundation for constitutional law and civil rights, which helped stabilize societies and reduce corruption.

The empowerment of the individual (through voting, free speech, education, and economic opportunity) leads to more innovative societies. People with better ideas can challenge old power structures, which in turn stimulates economic growth and technological innovation. As societies become more equal, they tend to experience lower crime rates and higher social cohesion due to better access to education, wealth, and resources.

And again we can see a return to the clan has seen an increase in corruption in our local governments with the Muslim rape scandals, where tribal communities are willing to lie and cover up crimes to defend their clan. Corruption has seeped into all local councils with contract awarded top family and tribal members. Democracy and meritocracy is giving way to sectarianism and tribalism.

5. The Rise of the Middle Class and the social contract

As feudalism and serfdom were eroded, particularly in the West, it allowed for the rise of a middle class that had more control over their labour, wealth, and education. This shift played a key role in the development of modern democracy and the social contract — where the individual’s role in society was no longer defined by birth or social class but by their contributions to the economy and society as a whole.

The middle class in the West has long been a driving force for social change, as it had both the economic and political power to demand more rights, better working conditions, and more political participation. This also led to greater emphasis on individual rights and a move away from rigid class structures, further fuelling the development of more inclusive societies. It is the great counter-weight to government over-reach, religious interference, class wars between the bottom of society and the top. As it got wider and more encompassing, society became more equal, more fair and more cohesive

I think it is a major reason why malevolent forces seek to erode it. Some might say destroy it. In the West the the social progressives, which I think are really ultra left wing revolutionaries, have set out to cannibalize and demonize the middle classes because they know it is the bedrock of society. Once they are gone it can balkanize into many separate and disparate groups that will fight each other. Much easier to control.

So, I think I have discovered (IMHO!) what made us great and why. And it makes it a lot easier to see why we are experiencing the demise of our civilization.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand".

I asked chat GPT where the phrase came from. It is famously attributed to Abraham Lincoln in his speech delivered on June 16, 1858, known as the House Divided Speech. Lincoln used this phrase to emphasize the dangers of a divided nation, particularly over the issue of slavery, and to argue that the United States could not endure permanently half slave and half free.

However, the phrase itself originates from the Bible — specifically from Matthew 12:25, where Jesus says, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

I think that covers just about everything right there.