There's a really good debate going on at Oklahoma Preppers about governing within survival groups, and what kind of people will hope to become part of a group. Lots of food for thought and here is some of my thinking on the subject and a request for others' thoughts on this important topic.
One aspect of prepping is the 'common group-think' that is certainly going to arise when people form survival groups, communes, or whatever. Each of these groups will need some form of leadership, whether it be parental as in a family unit, a mayor as in a community, or a chieftain as in tribal units. In selecting the people to join 'our' group, we will invariably select people who think much as we do and there-in is the group-think dilemma.
Leadership of each group will have different ideas of what makes a community, how it should be legislated or ruled. IMO, since many do not read the Constitution as it is written, let alone believe it, nor does everyone believe in the God of the Bible as being the Ultimate Authority in all situations, there will be many ideas of government. Socialism, as in the old hippy days communes, is going to become prevalent in many of the groups. Democracy will dominate some groups. Some groups will form as Muslim under Shariah Law. Some will form under pre-Saul Biblical tribes with a single leader and legal system. Sad to say, whatever the idea, there will be some who agree with it and will gather under that flag. Not all will have "American Constitutional" goals or desires.
One aspect of prepping is the 'common group-think' that is certainly going to arise when people form survival groups, communes, or whatever. Each of these groups will need some form of leadership, whether it be parental as in a family unit, a mayor as in a community, or a chieftain as in tribal units. In selecting the people to join 'our' group, we will invariably select people who think much as we do and there-in is the group-think dilemma.
Leadership of each group will have different ideas of what makes a community, how it should be legislated or ruled. IMO, since many do not read the Constitution as it is written, let alone believe it, nor does everyone believe in the God of the Bible as being the Ultimate Authority in all situations, there will be many ideas of government. Socialism, as in the old hippy days communes, is going to become prevalent in many of the groups. Democracy will dominate some groups. Some groups will form as Muslim under Shariah Law. Some will form under pre-Saul Biblical tribes with a single leader and legal system. Sad to say, whatever the idea, there will be some who agree with it and will gather under that flag. Not all will have "American Constitutional" goals or desires.
My opinion is that the family structure group will be the most harmonious- at least until the kids decide to rebel (as they invariably do). Still, thought patterns will be common even with the kids and they just may "want their own room" rather than to leave the "tribe". In that case, the group will grow into a tribe. What form of government these tribes utilize will probably be consistent throughout the various family groups, which is a good thing. Of course, strangers who come into this type of group will, hopefully, agree to the current form of rule, especially new-found 'mates' even from other/outside units will agree to local rule and custom.
It's when groups of tribes form within geographical areas the problems arise: which form of government do they choose? Now we get statesmen/women who need selection from the various tribes and negotiate between tribes and resulting in some form of government entity. And we're right back to where we started: forming constitutions/laws for the better of all parties. Without rules, there could be no barter/trade between rival groups, for sure: who will decide disputes that invariably arise? Which tribe has the final say? Will outside groups concur? Hello politicians!
But what happens when one of these tribal units is a Christ believing unit and the others are atheistic/agnostic/pantheistic/Shariah, etc? Which side gets the largest share of control?
Or what if one group is socialist in its beliefs: share and share alike regardless how hard one person works compared to the next?
How we choose who will define our survival communities is going to entail more than "just accepting requests" from people who learn about our goals. Knowing their beliefs will be paramount, their willingness to follow the ruling of the group leader, whether it be an elder "prepper parent", a group minister (and he'd better be walking in the Spirit of God and not the flesh), or even one "elected" leader from those forming the group. Just what are the requirements each new member is to bring to the table?
What say you on this gestalt dilemma?
Prep on-
Shy III
