Ideal Society

Ever since humans were intelligent enough to organize themselves into a social structure, mankind has attempted to achieve the perfect balance of governing power. There have been thousands of diverse cultures across time who have utilized every known method of organizing a central power, but this feat has remained unachieved. The best government’s primary interest is in the people it governs. What is in the people’s interest varies from needs as small as to merely sustain life to a more elaborate wants such as wealth or power. However these seemingly opposite concerns of the people all originate from a central motivation to achieve happiness. Therefore a ruling body’s primary goal should be to most effectively allow the people that it governs to attain the happiness they desire. Happiness is a very hard to define word, for the definition varies from person to person, and repeatedly changes throughout the course of one’s life. There are however some common criteria leading to happiness such as a feeling of belongingness within ones community and security within the borders of ones home.

An idealized society should have only as many inhabitants needed to be self-sustaining. If a balance is achieved where every member of the society personally contributes a vital resource and is also reliant on everyone else, a sense of belongingness and unity will result amongst the people. The unrestricted growth of a civilization is often its undoing for it creates contrasting subdivisions of the whole. The differing beliefs and ideas of these cause disharmony and war in an otherwise united nation. The beginning of my society would be relatively small, consisting of only the necessary farmers, craftsmen, and social leaders. Assuming that this society is located on an unknown island, merchants and warriors would not yet be needed until relations with foreign states have been established. By starting with the basics a strong sense of community will be present that can be built off of and maintained for future generations. As time passes and the society becomes larger, a system will be needed to apply the new, so far “unnecessary” citizens to professions that will enhance the existing trades as well as create new ones vital to an increasing demand. The strong communal atmosphere present in the beginning of the society should be constantly reinforced, for it is easier to maintain this sense of belongingness than create it out of nothing. The satisfaction each member will have because of an important contribution to his society will increase his pride in the native land as well as overall happiness with life.

This trend will eventually reach a point when the society becomes too large and these subdivisions are inevitable. Once a civilization reaches this point there are many governing paths to follow, but none will be as perfect as the nations original structure. The system of punishment for crime will help to prolong this change. First of all, if everyone feels a strong sense of belongingness to the culture there should