Self-centeredness

The dominant culture encourages people to move up the ranks of wealth, power, and status. Selfish ambition is a way to reinforce one’s sense of self, one’s identity. People driven by pride, ego, and efforts to prove themselves, get praise, and gain power over others. They’re primarily dedicated to increasing or protecting their own power. They want to advance themselves (and their families) without regard for the impact on others or the environment. When they win, others lose. They accept their privileges without guilt. They may provide some support to others’ empowerment, but their own needs come first. They get more than they give. They prefer to dominate rather than struggle with the difficult task of developing co-equal partnerships. They believe top-down power relationships are part of the natural order.

David  Brooks comments: “I’d say that, starting in the late 1960s, there was left wing self-centeredness in the social and lifestyle sphere and right wing self-centeredness in the economic sphere, with a lack of support for common-good public policies. But it was socially celebrated self-centeredness all the way across. It was based on a fallacy: If we all do our own thing, everything will work out well for everybody.”

These values are reflected in messages commonplace in our culture. Someone must always be in charge. You can grow up to be whatever you want.  You can be whatever you want. The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them. What’s in it for me? You have to look out for number one. You have to take care of yourself before you can help others. Keep ahead of the Jones. Seek the American Dream. Shop ‘til you drop.