Thoughts

I was thinking lately about whether I will be amazed by the development of a nation or a country – Sudan for example if I was away for a long period without a window-press, internet forums- to its internal daily life?

As far as I know, nations do not progress haphazardly or unexpectedly if we are speaking about genuine development in all aspects of life. Progress meant here is positive one as: Improvement of most people quality of life, improvement of indications accepted by today humanity as clues to prosperity.

Nations do change. But they change gradually, slowly but continuously upwards or downwards going. It is not about changing politics or discovering a new rich source of economy, although it might looks in the short term as evolutional changes. Yet, from a future prospect which takes into consideration the life of multiple generations, these changes can result in spikes which may even distort the steady curve of progression.

I will argue that one of the most indicative of nation’s development is the society normal/ common values. The values of a society, regardless of its reference can be explored through interaction with its individuals from different social /economical classes.

When the norms of a society includes bribes, “white” lies, racism or to lesser degree tribalism or when a qualification of competence gives way to qualifications of loyalty whether its political party , tribal , family or friends loyalty; then we can be sure that this particular country or nation – Sudan – is losing its view and way. And in contrast to the short time these values widespread, long time will be needed to reverse this process.

These norms are not related to the right and wrong but related to the accepted daily practise of a society. Abnormal societies can be distinguished from normal one as abnormal people from normal, in which case these societies’ values are norms though still morally wrong. They can be totally immoral even with its own undisputable reference. These values are created by individuals in the first place then adopted by the collective mind as norms then practised by the same individuals without conscious strict moral supervision.

The feeling of guilt is diminished by the psychological subconscious mechanisms aimed to decrease the anxiety to levels compatible with healthy life i.e calling choosing a family member in a job position regardless of professional qualification: Help instead of corruption.

Individuals practise these norms imperceptibly denying that what they claim as corruption in public life is in fact their own corruption. This fact does not automatically mean that once people consciously stop practising these values then life will change in society level. Life is not simple as that. But by doing that we can put the curve of development in its positive x axis.


En bref, the norms of a society will dedicate its progression not its references and in more deep analysis regardless of this reference.