A Vote for Mutuality
Better Capitalism includes a range of perspectives on money, politics, and religion. We value freedom of expression and artistic license aimed toward creating a better world by helping create a better capitalism. When you have a differing perspective, we invite you to converse with us at info@bettercapitalism.org. Thanks for being part of meaningful civic dialogue.
It's halfway through October, time to to think about winterizing your home, planning for the holidays, and this year, voting in the midterms. The media blitz is in full swing: candidates frontload TV spots with compelling messages, billboards prominently display brightly colored political slogans, and social media is awash in fierce debates from opposing viewpoints.
There are so many issues in play every time we vote. This cycle, it's the cost of living, data centers, healthcare, and immigration that are uppermost in people's minds. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and different sides tell very different stories about the same topic. With so many voices vying for your attention and your vote, it's easy to get overwhelmed.
Feeling unsure of the facts and thus who to vote for can lead to one of two reactions. The first is to skip voting altogether. The second is to toe the party line, an option many of us choose to simplify things. These options offer easier ways to deal with short-term choices, but both take away our autonomy and don't weigh long-term outcomes. So how do we choose representatives who will truly be the best leaders for us and our country?
Instead of abandoning the process or letting someone else decide for you, I'd like to suggest a third way: evaluating potential leaders through the lens of mutuality. Instead of being single issue or party based, this view considers financial, human, social, and natural outcomes. A voter guided by mutuality evaluates candidates and their policies based on whether they will foster shared health and prosperity.
If we want a world where individuals, our nation, and our planet thrive, what should we look for in our representatives? Here are a few guidelines for identifying leaders who are aligned with this model:
They are long-term thinkers who build bridges to a better future.
These leaders envision outcomes far beyond the present or any crisis situation. While there are circumstances that need triage, they understand that their decisions can significantly impact the future, and they approach challenges with a focus on sustainability and growth.
Instead of rushing toward a quick fix, they dedicate time and resources to developing lasting solutions. Like great project managers, they understand that collaboration is essential and seek partnerships with affected stakeholders, which greatly enhances the chance of lasting success. These leaders also don't leave people behind but find ways to transition them from old to new situations.
Long-term thinkers create a vision of hope and possibility. They are then able to communicate their vision so that people understand its goals and become part of creating a brighter and more equitable future.
They don't manipulate the system for their own profit.
People in power are constantly faced with the temptation to use that power for their own benefit. Worthy candidates commit to ethical behavior not only out of personal integrity but also because they understand the negative consequences that corruption has on the system. They know that it's not just a threat to democracy—its the antithesis of it.
Holding to ethical standards also fosters trust among peers and stakeholders. When someone works selflessly for the common good, they earn the respect needed to accomplish collective goals. This kind of trust leads to a much healthier and more collaborative political culture, where laws are passed that actually benefit the country as a whole.
They defend those who cannot defend themselves.
This quality is an extension of a leader's moral integrity. Taking advantage of the system often takes advantage of the weaker among us. Representatives who seek mutuality will always weigh the interest of those who cannot spare one dime for their campaign but need representation all the same. When considering issues, these leaders choose to benefit the larger community.
The work of representing the voiceless is not without its challenges. There will always be opponents—often with great resources and influence—who try to push through initiatives that only benefit a small elite group. Standing up to that kind of power can lead to severe, unwanted personal consequences; think of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. But needed change is most often accomplished by speaking truth to power.
They leave things better than they found them.
What's your chosen candidate's track record? In their professional career or their public service, do they have a history of making things better for those in their care? Here are a few examples of what that might look like in different settings:
A developer creates residential and/or commercial entities that add to the long-term economic and aesthetic value of a community.
A hospital administrator develops policies that not only lead to quality healthcare but also to a reduction of waste and thus patient cost.
A COO designs a supply chain that requires fair treatment for all involved, while delivering a product of value to consumers.
A politician listens to constituents about a critical issue and collaborates with representatives of both parties to deliver a strategic and lasting solution.
In each case, the leader combines long-term thinking with care for the community, which creates outcomes that not only leave the world a better place but inspire future generations to carry on this legacy.
Making the Choice
We are gifted with a privilege that most people in history would have never dreamed of: the chance to choose our leaders. While we all lead busy lives, we need to take time to evaluate these critical choices. Sifting through the data can be challenging, so in consideration of our calendars, here are a few questions to ask about the person you plan to vote for:
What are the most significant pieces of legislation this person has sponsored? If they have not yet held office, what are their most significant contributory accomplishments to date?
Is their track record characterized by needed collaboration or needless confrontation?
Before or during public office, have they made questionable financial gains?
How does the candidate treat others, both with their words and with their actions?
Finding the answers may take some effort, but I guarantee that you will never regret time spent on discovering which person is best for the job.
Join Us
We write about capitalism done well—and how it can be done better—because we collectively have the capitalism we create, and we can collectively create a better capitalism. We’d love for you to join us on this journey of renewing capitalism. You can begin by reading our book, Better Capitalism, and by signing up for our weekly blog post.
Fix Capitalism. Fix the American Dream.
Our vision is to benefit society by transforming capitalism's current core ethic of 'maximize shareholder value' to the better core ethic of 'optimize mutual value.' We achieve our vision by impacting learning, opinion, beliefs, and policy. Institute for Better Capitalism, Inc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our Amazon number 1 new release: Unleash more with Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, & MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics.
"This book merits close, sustained attention as a compelling move beyond both careless thinking and easy ideology."—Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
"Better Capitalism is a sincere search for a better world."—Cato Institute
The Institute for Better Capitalism, Inc., is a 501(c)(3). We invite and are grateful for financial partners in this work. We invite you to donate here or contact us for more information. Thanks!
