Politics is a field in which human nature plays important roles. Not only do leaders need to respect and sometimes modify the diverse behaviours of a very large population but they may need to excuse their own frailties at times to that public. “It’s human nature, isn’t it?”. Whatever the behaviour, its perpetrator may be praised or excused by this simple statement; from caring for someone to taking a bribe; from a sympathetic ear to a coarse reaction. But can this be the case? What is human nature?
Defining human nature
For centuries philosophers and psychologists have attempted to define what is little more than a casual if convenient construct. In essence it aims to sum up those characteristics which typify humans as opposed to other species.
Look up “human nature” in reference sources and the most likely result will be a list of what we think we do well: self-expression, socialising, curiosity, learning and creativity. These are particular strengths of humans evidenced by anthropologists, sociologists, palaeontologists etc. They seem very positive in the sense that the world humans have created approves of them. The social element, especially in relation to community building and caring for others, is highly rated, if lowly valued. So when this link is made, human nature is presented as admirable.
The darker side of human nature
There are those who believe in original sin too: in humans having capacities or propensities which separate us from other species but of a less admirable kind. As well as being generous, cooperative and creative, humans can be greedy or cruel, aggressive, self-seeking and envious. Whether innate or acquired, such traits are less admirable to fellow humans.
So if we are a mix of good and bad, then do those people we regard as monsters as attested by Auschwitz, Srebrenica and Gaza have a different mix or have they been influenced by fear or lies? Today, in this sophisticated, educated country, we have a rising tide of racism on the part of humans who find it acceptable to look down on certain fellow humans by virtue of some common point of difference. “It’s human nature” is just as likely to be used to excuse antisocial behaviour as to laud the good.
Controlling the dark side
Could those behaviours which are not so positive be the roots of political systems? The political philosophy Anarchy, seen by some as the original social glue, assumes that all humans are of equal worth and none should hold power over others; that decisions require consensus. Cooperation for mutual benefit sounds like an attractive policy, so how come it is so rarely attempted or endures?
It seems that most societies have concluded at some point in their development that consensus is impractical and that some form of hierarchy or political system is needed to manage affairs. The effects of the less desirable elements of human nature need to be minimised through a justice system; defence against external aggressors; effective use and distribution of resources.
So the darker side of human nature gets in the way of idealism, of the good society. Imagine an egalitarian community into which someone without the presumed shared values arrives and bullies their way to power or wealth. The whole system falls apart when just that one ruthless bad apple overturns the ideological applecart. This may be just what led the change in the mists of time from consensual collective living to monarchies and other hierarchies taking over.
Whatever human nature is, it is shared by all
Democracy has for a few centuries been seen as one of the fairer systems of government but even now we can see the risk to it in Trump’s America, where virtually single-handedly a rogue non-complier has swept away the established consensus on international relations and social inclusivity.
We in this country should see in the alarming current rise of racism an existential threat to our inclusive society. It may be human to err but also not acceptable. Politics being a human endeavour needs safeguards against the reality of humans’ most base instincts.
I will stick my neck out and hazard that most people are basically good with concern for others and a will to collaborate for the benefit of society. Few can live outside community. Whatever human nature includes, one thing is of huge importance, politically and socially: we all share it, even if “it” comprises a complex and variable mix of characteristics.
No human is of greater or lesser value than another. Saying or acting otherwise is inhuman, morally and factually wrong. One function of politics must surely be to reinforce this principle by controlling the behaviours of some which are damaging to others and to the cohesion of our society. Recent history suggests that politicians have lost sight of this duty in favour of division and contempt.
We cannot afford to laugh this off as “just human nature” and must demand the highest standards of humanity in our would-be leaders.
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