Both Sides Now
Your needs come first
You "need" liberalism
Why are you a liberal, and not conservative?
Did you open yourself to all possibilities, then come to a reasoned conclusion that liberalism must be the best outlook for everyone in our society?
Or did you find liberalism the best organized response to those needs you’re most familiar?
We can show you how you are liberal because you “need” to be liberal. Then demonstrate how others “need” to be conservative.
Once you appreciate the diversity of needs beneath opposing political views, a door will open up to you to move past stifling political polarization. If you dare to enter.
You "need" conservatism
Why are you a conservative, and not liberal?
Did you open yourself to all possibilities, then come to a reasoned conclusion that conservatism must be the best outlook for everyone in our society?
Or did you find conservatism the best organized response to those needs you’re most familiar?
We can show you how you are conservative because you “need” to be conservative. Then demonstrate how others “need” to be liberal.
Once you appreciate the diversity of needs beneath opposing political views, a door will open up to you to move past stifling political polarization. If you dare to enter.
Left | Right
If you expect us to take a stance on any political issue, expect this instead: We exist to prioritize what each person specifically needs OVER any political generalizations, and will challenge any political stance that undermines much needed resolution of such needs.
Neither the Left nor the Right demonstrates a moral monopoly on what is best for all. We exist to put that notion to rest, before it explodes into violent conflicts.
What we find, and aim to demonstrate in your life, is how your political outlooks get shaped by your particular set of needs. You experience two kinds of needs that impact your politics the most: your self-needs (like autonomy, self-efficacy, personal stamina) and social-needs (like belonging, support, companionship).
You self-needs
Each of us experience a set of ongoing self-needs. For all those moments when we must rely on our own wits, we experience the need for autonomy, for self-efficacy, for self-initiative, and the like. We suffer when lacking autonomy, or self-efficacy, and the like.
You self-needs
Each of us also experiences a set of ongoing social-needs. For all those moments where we cannot resolve some need on our own, like getting all the food we require or for others to protect us from foreign threats. We suffer when feeling unloved, or insecure, and the like.
Your psychosocial needs
Each self-need tends to be complementary to a social need. We naturally yearn for balance between our self-needs and social-needs, as illustrated by four examples in this chart.
Your self-needs Your social-needs
self-acceptance companionship
autonomy belonging
self-sufficiency support
resilience inclusion
self-acceptance & companionship
You need need to love yourself enough to internalize love from others; and to receive enough love from others to reinforce loving yourself.
autonomy & belonging
You need to assert your individuality while trusting others have your back in case you fall; and to belong to a group that reliably supports your emerging personal capacities.
self-sufficiency & support
You need to grow your personal capacities while enjoying access to resources beyond your limited reach; and to be supported enough to routinely develop your self-efficacies.
resilence & inclusion
You need to endure when excluded in some social spaces while knowing you are fully included somewhere; and to be personally supported to strengthen your personal resiliency.
Your psychosocial wellbeing
Which do you find more critical? Your self-needs? Or your social-needs. Conventional wisdom gets split on this issue.
On the one hand, you hear how you should be able to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You’re reminded how your behavior is ultimately your own responsibility—that no one can make you act in any way that you did not in some way choose. In short, you are free and individually responsible.
On the other hand, there’s the argument your options are limited. You often act only in ways that others and your actual situation allow you to act, lest you suffer some harsh consequences. In short, your need for others restrains how much freedom you can fully enjoy.
Well, which is it?
Are both wrong? Or both correct, in their own particular ways? Political wisdom favors one over the other. Nature is less partial. Every need you experience you will find ultimately rooted in nature.
Conventional wisdom shapes how you experience such needs, but nature provides the what. Ultimately, you need both. You cannot enjoy psychosocial wellbeing until both sides receive due attention.
The more eased your self-needs, the more your neglected social-needs draw to the fore, sometimes painfully. Likewise, the more eased your social-needs, the more your underserved self-needs pull your attention.
You experience psychosocial discomfort
Nature compels you and I to balance our self-needs with our social needs, prompting uncomfortable feelings to steer us toward relief. You experience this imbalance as discomfort in familiar ways, as illustrated by these four examples.
Self > Social
alienating
overwhelming
limited
guarded
Social > Self
smothering
coercive
paternalistic
overdependent
Often, this imbalance gets quickly resolved. Other times, not so fast. Too often, the imbalance solidifies into a daily experience. Into what can be called your psychosocial orientation.
What is your psychosocial orientation?
Next: You “need” your ideology
Of course, the process is much more complex than briefly represented here. For a thorough treatment, please check out the eCourse at Udemy, starting with the free previews. If you're on a tight budget, ask me about any available discounts. I trust it will open doors for you in ways you’ve never seen before.
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