Following are the typical actions steps taken to maintain and defend each of these societal positions:
ACTION STEPS
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Following are the early warning signs that typically indicate that this societal policy is not working well or creating unintended problems (I will have more to say about this analysis a bit later):
WARNING SIGNS ABOUT
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBLITY
These initial summary statements regarding the pull between two societal perspectives can be framed as a polarity. What tends to occur is that we linger briefly on the advantages inherent in one of the options. Then we begin to recognize some of the disadvantages associated with this option. We are pulled to the second option. Yet, as we linger on this second option, we discover that this perspective also has its flaws and disadvantages. We are led back to the first policy—and must again face the disadvantages inherent in this first option.
The swing has begun from left top to left bottom to right top, to right bottom, back again to left top. We are whipped back and forth. As concern (and even anxiety) increases regarding each perspective, the vacillation also increases in both intensity and rapidity. This is what the dynamics of polarization is all about. There is inadequate time and attention given to each option.
