Specialization is the Essence of Civilization

in specialization •  8 years ago  (edited)

  
 

It is the goal of many people to be self sufficient; to grow their own food, catch rain water, filter their own water, raise their own livestock, knit/sew their own clothes, build their own homes etc. While these are admirable and noble goals to gain independence and expand one's skill set, they are not necessary. Indeed they are actually counter productive to the growth of a thriving market economy. As the economy grows through free trade and technology becomes more intricate, new jobs are created to service and maintain that new technology in order to meet that swelling demand. In response to a growing demand for more specialized goods and services, enterprising entrepreneurs rise to meet that demand with gusto. This is the origin of the elusive new jobs that politicians enthusiastically lust after with the sophistry that spews from their mouths.
 

This principle is true on the individual level as it is true on the regional or geographical level. The region known as NY is ideal for growing apples. The region known as Georgia is ideal for growing peaches. The region known as Mexico is ideal for growing avocados. Due to the magnificence of free trade, people living in the NY region can enjoy avocados and peaches, people living in the Georgia region can enjoy avocados and apples, and people living in the Mexico region can enjoy apples and peaches. It may be possible for people living in the NY region to grow avocados and peaches but this would come at considerable cost and effort. This would an inefficient use of resources and would be quite unsustainable. It is far more efficient for farmers in NY to focus on growing that which comes easiest and then to trade for that, which is more difficult to grow. This is the principle of specialization at the regional or geographical level.
 

This free trade increases standards of living and makes us all wealthier.  As traveling technology has improved by leaps and bounds this has expanded the reach of markets to satisfy demands in distant lands. As the Internet has grown and developed this has obliterated borders and rendered nation States irrelevant and antiquated. The more we trade with our brothers and sisters all over the globe the less need we have for opportunistic political predators who seek only to divide and vex us with their inflammatory rhetoric. It is the bureaucratic parasite that is wholly dependent on the industrious host for its subsistence. We need only acknowledge our independence of the State and its existence will pass away into oblivion. Vacate the State!
 

“When goods don't cross borders, soldiers will.”  Frederic Bastiat, 19th century French economist and author   


  


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My name is Danilo Cuellar. Follow me at Peaceful Anarchism. I also run the Peaceful Anarchism Facebook page and produce many YouTube videos. You can support and donate to my work through Patreon or PayPal. I’m a practitioner of Eastern Healing arts with degrees in Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs, I have always questioned the status quo, a path which led me to peaceful anarchism. Through my journey, I have worn many hats, that of a classical pianist, avid chess player, philosopher, comedian, and now father of two little anarchists. My wife brands me as a Cultural Critic, but I am simply following my thirst for knowledge and passion for writing. 

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Very interesting post thank you

+phonetix Thank you for reading and for your support. Cheers! :-)

  ·  8 years ago (edited)

Indeed, specialization has benefits or mastering a niche and collectively growing better as opposed to trying to be a jack of all trades. But there is no reason more than one specialty can't be adopted, or even other things learned that aren't a particular specialty developed as much as others. Understanding more allows greater understanding in general or often of the specifics themselves. Narrow specialization is never a good thing. That's how compartmentalization works. Other can manipulate us by compartmentalizing aspects of reality. We can fool ourselves as well.

Check out this post recently that counters the other side for the need to have general wide knowledge.

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
― Robert A. Heinlein

+krnel Thank you for commenting. I recognize and appreciate what you are saying. I am not disparaging people wanting to expand their skill set and learn new trades. That is admirable. I am merely stating that if we all tried to be completely self sufficient, that would be the antithesis of a thriving market economy. Specialization is entirely necessary and requisite for there to be marked economic growth and development.

I also love that Robert Heinlein quote! Cheers! :-)