Why we need collectivism and collective action in societies

Why we need collectivism and collective action in societies

An all-original poem by Sujay Rao Mandavilli

 

Individuality is an attribute much cherished and greatly articulated,

It simply put, makes people different, happily mismatched, though not alienated,  

It also makes them unique and provides them nourishment and unerring character,

Along with deep-rooted productivity and intellectual succor,

It brings out the very best of their true self and inborn nature,

Uncaring and unchained,

Like a butterfly that spreads out its wings,

Or a cuckoo that merrily chirps and with gay abandon sings,

It also helps them eminently and profitably realize their goals and desires,

Apart from the society that births them in true measure,

It also makes them standout and grants them liberation,

And steers them clear of intellectual incarceration,

Yet we must not downright or outright jettison collectivism and collectivization,

And in many respects and circumstances not steer clear completely of collective action,  

Without reneging individual identity,

And all forms of aggregate and thoroughgoing originality,

Collectivism must sit pretty, and must not be stiflingly bureaucratic,

Or needlessly power-wielding, power-hungry, or autocratic,

Life and light shared are life and light amplified,

And these are attributes of life exceedingly well-lived and magnified,

As opposed to treasures egotistically stowed away and stockpiled,

However we must lessons from the past abundantly and profitably learn,

And carefully evaluate and discern,

There have been calamitous pitfalls in all aspects of socialism,

And in its more sinister near cousin communism,

That though a differentiated practice manufactures factious and disaffected alienation,

And surrenders at the altar of consolidation and power intensification devolution and delegation,

This has tragically and traumatically lessened incentives for ingenuity and fecundity too along with aspiration,

Though other via media solutions have been proposed such as communitarianism,

Along with open-hearted and unprejudiced cooperation,

And unbridled though not dreamy-eyed collaboration,

With the pursuit of the common good and neutrality,

Garnished with a liberal and a general dose of equanimous and even-handed impartiality,

There must be a reasonable rule of law, and no impunity and no negligent irresponsibility,

Success comes with strings attached,

Success comes with undeniable and inalienable responsibility,

Doing some good to one’s own country,

Doing some good to one’s own society,

Doing something for the overall global good,

And for the overall common good,  

As rebels, champions, or thought leaders,

Principals, influencers or resolute commanders,

Modifying techniques to suit unique own disparate cultural requirements,

Not blind emulation, mimicry or mimes,  

This is the hallmark of true intellectualism,

And the symbol of genuine upmanship.