Worker Philosophies

Communalism

Here, the land is held collectively. Decisions are made by wise elders.

Tribalism

Here, clans hold the power.

In countries that were not colonized, tribalism is the prevailing worker philosophy that continues to modern times.

Liberalism

Liberalism is the root of modern worker philosophies.

Non-European Liberalism

In Asia, liberalism was not common because the Thinker and Warrior philosophies dominated.

A documented libearl society was the Licchavi Kingdom of Nepal which had separation of powers, and decisions were done by majority vote.

Their kings interfered little in daily life—villages and castes ran their own affairs.

Village councils (panchali) and autonomous trusts (gosthi) handled local matters.

European Liberalism

This emerged in Europe during the French Revolution which came as an effect of Mercantilism.

Foreign trade brought a lot of wealth to Europe, creating a sense of empowerment and desire for freedom. Prior to this, the Church was dominant and imposed modestry, austerity, and frugality.

The increase in sensory desires led to the fall of the Church through the French Revolution which separated the Church from the State.

From that time onwards, the austere policy was abandoned in favor of wealth and economic growth.

This has led to modifications such as socialism, communism, and libertarianism.

The main proponents of European Liberalism are:

1. John Locke (1632–1704)

His writings on natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, are central to liberal thought.

He argued that individuals have inalienable rights and that government exists to protect these rights, with its power being derived from the consent of the governed.

Locke’s social contract theory greatly influenced liberal democratic thought and the principles of limited government, equality, and individual freedom.

2. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778)

He also pushed for a social contract theory, as well as corporate organization.

3. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

He created the concept of Utilitarianism which is really based on material pleasures.

His moral rule is for everyone to pursue his happiness. The flaw in Mill’s philosophy is that personal happiness is subjective. If pursued without thinking of others, then it becomes arbitrary.

For example, it might bring happiness to a rich country to invade a poorer country for oil as the former would think that it would bring happiness and progress to both countries.

Conversely, it might bring happiness to terrorists to attack a rich, extravagant country thinking that it would bring it closer to simplicity and austerity which are foundations for religious happiness. Even Jesus himself said it will be difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God.

Utilitarianism is useful only when one is alone.

It, however, creates problems when one comes into society because people have diverse experiences, opinions, and moral standards.

It’s the type of thing that works only in thought experiments but fails in the real world.