Re-Visiting the Garden of Eden

In the beginning – when we were hunting and gathering in the Garden of Eden – our economy was based on value measured in calories. Believe it or not, back then, capitalism and socialism were two functions in the same economic system.

Collectively, Adam and Eve shared the work of hunting and gathering, they decided how calories would be shared and distributed – in doing so they became the first socialist. Investing excess calories back into growing the family was the same as investing excess profits back into growing the economy today. Thus, Adam and Eve became the first capitalists.

However, it’s not until we discover the forbidden fruit – the one hanging on the tree of knowledge of good and evil – that we develop the idea that divorces capitalism from socialism. The concept of ownership and property rights changes everything. We can own women, slaves and even nature. This idea of rights gave rise to the need for government.

Modern government was intended to be the brain-like cultural command center, providing orchestration of our evolving complex social system. The idea of democracy was to provide social balance; to recognize and protect the rights of individuals as well as serve the greater common good.

So why is government not working as intended? It seems we found another forbidden fruit – the one hanging on the tree of knowledge of fear and loathing. From this tree we discovered the idea that divorces leadership and management – politics.

Before a government can guide our social systems, it must commit to a vision for our social system. Before it can organize, it must plan. Before it can coordinate, it must provide direction. Before it can balance, it must control. Before it can control, it must enable. Before it can manage the social system, it must lead it. If we need to blame our failure on something, since the Garden of Eden is not a member of the United Nations, it’s a perfect target.