How does a Nation learn? LO16146

Richard C. Holloway (learnshops@thresholds.com)
Sun, 07 Dec 1997 23:03:59 -0800

Replying to LO16145 --

Rol Fessenden wrote:

> At referred to scapegoating, and you go on to say it is an ancient
> political ploy. This is certainly true. But I believe At was making the
> point that people scapegoat, not as a ploy, but as a sincerely-meant
> analysis of why and how things fail to work as they intended. It is this
> form of scapegoating -- not the delibearte ploy, but the sincerely-held
> belief -- that is by far the most dangerous, the most self-limiting, the
> most inimical to learning. You may have understood this, but it was
> unclear to me from your response.
>
> Interestingly, this unconscious form of scapegoating occurs in
> corporations all the time, and seems to spring into being instantaneously
> from the 'aether' so to speak. It does not have the long time line that
> you mention in your post.

Thanks for asking me to clarify my earlier point, Rol. While political
manipulators (just had to plug that one in!) use scapegoating as a ploy,
they're wise enough to tap into deep roots of cultural symbols. It not
only makes their job easier, but it validates the process in the minds and
hearts of the good citizens. I had in mind, as I wrote the previous
posting, the centuries-long situation in the Balkans, and its' recent
manifestation. But it's also true in every region where peoples have been
alternately dominating one another--frequently with a subordinated group
caught in between.

Georgie Geyer wrote an interesting column a few days ago, wondering aloud
why the end of the bipolarized world order (US v USSR) was not recognized
and celebrated--why many political interests wished that that great
confrontation were still ongoing. The US and USSR were both able to make
each other the scapegoat, as they attempted to manipulate other
nation-states into one of their two camps. Other nation-states
reciprocated by threatening to join the other camp if certain conditions
weren't met to retain their loyalty. This bipolar relationship provided
some sense of security through control that is simply no longer there. The
world actually became a more dangerous place as a result of becoming
liberated.

I'm a little skeptical of serendipitous scapegoating. I don't know,
firsthand, of any research to prove this, Rol--but I suspect people find
it much easier to pick the same groups as scapegoats that their fathers
and mothers used. The process (and choice) is validated, simply by its'
history. It's a part of the mental model process--only these are cultural
mental models. Without going into a long political essay, I'd say the
model generally holds true. I'm not conversant, though, with the example
you chose.

As an interesting exercise, though, look at your own community and
reflect:

Who in your community would be the first to be accused for creating a
particular kind of disturbance, or committing a crime? Who do the police
identify as the "usual suspects?" Are these people members of a distinct
group? Does your community generally accept (perhaps without discussing)
that these people are bad, and whether they had anything to do with the
crime or disturbance is unimportant--they probably would have done it if
they had had the chance!

If you can fit some group or persons into the role I've depicted by these
questions, well then, you have your communities' scapegoats already picked
out. Then, try to discern what the primary difference is between you and
the people in the role as scapegoats.

Well, I could go on--but I probably wouldn't give you any better response
than the one you have here. I hope this clarifies a little. As always, I
left more unsaid than said.

regards,

Doc

-- 
"The familiar life horizon has been outgrown, the old concepts, ideals
and emotional patterns no longer fit, the time for the passing of a
threshold is at hand."  -Joseph Campbell

During this holiday season, please remember to give your time and money to those organizations that serve your neighbors. If you live in South Puget Sound, consider volunteering as a phone worker with the Crisis Clinic--or contribute in any other way that you may. May life's blessings be with you.

Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Your partner for workforce development Visit me at http://www.thresholds.com/community/learnshops/index.html Or e-mail me at <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com> Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2361 Phone: 01 360 786 0925 Olympia, WA 98507 USA Fax: 01 360 709 4361

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