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THESE GENERAL RULES, like all the rules in this book, are aimed toward achieving one overriding goal—to optimise social systems. Since these social systems are many and varied, ranging from roads to governance, schools to workplaces, no matter how extensive subsequent editions of this book become, there is no possible way that it can cover every single situation of importance. This is where these general rules become necessary: To fill in the gaps.
As you work your way through this book, notice how nearly all the specific rules stem from these general rules. Keep this in mind when you are 'filling in a gap', ask yourself: Does the specific way I am about to behave follow from one or more of the general rules? If the answer is 'YES', you may go ahead, confident that you are doing the right thing.
FOLLOW THE RULES! The first and most important rule is simply to follow the rules. The set of rules which govern a system has been designed so that when followed, the best possible outcomes for all those within a system are achieved with the least negative consequences—so FOLLOW THE RULES. Most often the problem in the Third World is not the absence of rules but both the lack of awareness of the rules and the lack of willingness to follow them. So your first step is to learn the rules, and then follow them precisely. Keep in mind that rules do not necessarily have to be formal (written down and/or legally imposed). Less formal or informal rules can be established between citizens most often by verbal agreement; such as for instance between friends. Both formal and informal rules have to be faithfully followed.
COMPETE BY SELF-IMPROVEMENT NOT BY UNDERCUTTING FELLOW CITIZENS. Wanting to outdo others is perfectly natural (although, as you will see, cooperation is equally as important in a well-functioning society). However, it is crucial that you do so only by one means—improving your own performance. Undercutting is more than just anything done by you to reduce the current performance or current share of rewards of your competitors. It also includes anything done by you that takes away from a level playing field. In other words, you have only truly won, when both you and your competitor started from the same starting line and had the same opportunities to succeed—and you still outperformed him or her. Focus on only your own performance and nothing else. In the bigger scheme of things, you do not gain a thing by undercutting your fellow citizens, instead everybody loses. Whereas, by single-mindedly improving your own performance, you yourself gain the most whilst at the same time uplifting society.
WHOLEHEARTEDLY COOPERATE. Understand which situations call for competition and which call for cooperation. The simple rule to separate the two is this: When competition is called for it is usually openly and clearly stated so. For instance, a certain organisation announces that they are launching a design competition open to the public where the best submission will become their new company logo, and you and your friend decide to take part. Here, without of course undercutting your friend, you must try to fairly outdo him or her. The more complex rule is this: Only compete where if you and your rival, and fellow citizens generally, engage in this kind of competition, society as a whole will benefit. In all other situations, where these two rules do not apply—wholeheartedly cooperate. So, for instance, if a tiny little window of daylight opens up between your vehicle and the next and a fellow citizen is trying to turn their vehicle into this queue, do not race to beat him or her to the spot. Under neither rule is the traffic system a competition. If you carefully apply the complex rule, you will see that if no one ever gives way and everyone races to a spot, the occurrence and frequency of accidents will greatly increase. Therefore, in this instance, give way to your fellow citizen, and in general—wholeheartedly cooperate.
TREAT EVERYONE AS HUMANS FIRST. In the Third World we often put two social attributes of our fellow man before their essential humanity. Firstly, we make the insider-outsider distinction. Family members, of course, and friends are insiders, and everybody else is an outsider. Secondly, we make the high-low distinction. Those from wealthy families and dominant social groups along with those holding powerful office are the high, and the rest who make up the great majority are the low. Based on these two distinctions we discriminate against outsiders and the low. We must start off by recognising all fellow citizens including outsiders and the low as human beings. As human beings we all have certain rights, including, amongst others, to be treated respectfully and the right to have a fair opportunity to succeed. Under no circumstances should we deny any fellow human being regardless of any social distinction these rights. Indeed, after we honour these human rights for all, and one person fairly outperforms the other or others, then, and only then, must we positively discriminate in his or her favour.
DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS. That irresistible little shortcut that seems so convenient to you, when practised collectively leads to massive losses for your community and country. But aren't shortcuts just a more efficient way of reaching an outcome, you ask? Well, by the strict definition of the word, yes; however those Third World habits of yours that you think are shortcuts do not in fact lead to optimal outcomes from social systems. Of course, if the same outcome or better can be achieved by spending less resources and effort we must go for it; but remember this is better described as 'efficiency' and 'innovation' rather than shortcuts. The important difference is that in the case of innovation and efficiency the same or better outcome is sure to be achieved. So completely cleanse your mind of the concept of shortcuts.
DO ONE THING AT A TIME AND DO IT WELL. Talking on the phone with one person and separately with three others around you? Working while watching a game? Trying to learn something while dealing with a family issue? Yes, there is such a thing called multitasking, but for now it is best if you focus on doing one thing at a time and doing it to the very best of your abilities. Firstly, arrange the tasks that you have to complete in order of their priority. Then work through each task until it is completed before going on to the next.
PLAN AND PREPARE PRECISELY. Do not, so to speak, simply 'wake up in the morning' or turn up 'out of the blue' and start working on something—plan and prepare, and do both with the greatest precision. Before starting anything get into the habit of asking yourself questions along these lines: What is my goal here? What is the best way to achieve my goal? What are the resources I will need? What can possibly go wrong and how can I deal with such possibilities if they occur? Importantly, begin your planning and preparation well before you start your task—you never have as much time as you think you do; and remember, things will not magically go right all on their own.
THINK. Question your current behaviour, habits, values and beliefs. Ask yourself this question: Are my behaviours, habits, values and beliefs, if widely practised and held, the ones that will get the very best out of the social systems I find myself in today? Or is it that I practise and hold them merely because everyone else does? And, does everyone else practise and hold them merely because they have been handed down from a very different past?
An important truth to place at the forefront of your thinking as you embark on your journey toward good citizenship is the extent of your reach. If you jump a queue, the person whom you unfairly jumped in front of will likely do the same the next time he or she has to stand in line, and then so will the next wronged person and the next and so on. Thankfully, 'pay it forward' works for both socially negative as well as socially positive behaviour. So remember that every time you practise socially positive behaviour based on both the specific and general rules contained in this book, you are setting-off a ripple that will soon grow into a wave toward development.