I’ve come to the conclusion that there are basically two types of people in this world; ‘me’ people, and ‘we’ people.
‘Me’ people view the world asking ‘what’s in it for me?’ – survival of the fittest. While ‘we’ people ask ‘what’s in it for us?’ – survival of the collaborators.
And thus it follows there are two types of voters; those who prioritise their own hip-pocket and security, versus those concerned with what’s fairest for most people, often voting against their own personal financial interests.
Of course this is a generalisation. I know plenty of ‘we’ people who’ve acted selfishly (myself included), and I’ve witnessed ‘me’ people extend generosity to others in need. But there is some science to back up the generalisation.
In a well regarded book from 2013 titled Predisposed, scientists found fascinating psychological differences between conservative voters and progressive ones. In a nutshell, progressive voters are more comfortable with nuance, complexity and uncertainty, while conservatives are more prone to fear, preferencing security and authority.
Politicians know this. They know that fear is a force to be weaponised in elections; fear of the ‘other’ primarily.
This federal election you’re going to witness a lot of fear mongering in an attempt to divide, and win your vote. The very real problems of cost of living, homelessness, inequality, youth crime, high energy prices, housing unaffordability, are going to be blamed on the ‘other’ (think migrants, woke culture, trans people, international students, greenies etc).
Meanwhile the only people who profit from inequality, division and conflict are billionaires, big tech, arms manufacturers, mining and fossil fuel interests. Unfortunately any time a politician raises their head above the parapet and tries to tackle some of these real problems (ending negative gearing, taxing mining companies) they’re lambasted by two or three media empires owned and funded by the above-mentioned peddlers of misery and misinformation (a reform of media ownership laws in this country is long overdue).
In a time of great change and turmoil a former US President urged people to ‘ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’. Again we are in a time of tumult. Before casting your vote this federal election don’t ask ‘what’s in it for me?’. Instead ask ‘what’s in it for my community?’. No one thrives in a ‘survival of the fittest’ fight. Now more than ever survival depends on community and collaboration.
