“Systems of Survival” is a book written by Jane Jacobs that explores the different moral systems that exist within society. In her book, Jacobs argues that there are two distinct moral systems that guide human behavior: the guardian moral syndrome and the commercial moral syndrome.

The guardian moral syndrome is based on the principles of loyalty, tradition, and authority. This moral system is commonly found in institutions such as the military, religious organizations, and government agencies. According to Jacobs, the guardian moral syndrome is necessary for maintaining order and stability within society.

The Guardian moral system, also known as the Honor Culture or Dignity Culture, is characterized by a set of values that prioritize public interest, social cohesion, and communal values. One of the key features of this moral system is the emphasis on honor and reputation, which is often achieved through the display of virtues such as courage, loyalty, and obedience.

One of the values that is central to the Guardian moral system is shunning trading. This value emphasizes the importance of maintaining social ties and communal relationships over individual gain or profit. It encourages individuals to prioritize the well-being of the group over their own personal interests, and to avoid actions that might harm the community or damage social relationships.

Another value that is emphasized in the Guardian moral system is the need to exert prowess. This value encourages individuals to display their strength, courage, and skill in order to gain respect and honor within the community. It emphasizes the importance of physical and mental strength, as well as the ability to demonstrate one’s abilities in a public setting.

Adherence to tradition is also highly valued in the Guardian moral system. This value emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural practices, social norms, and traditional values in order to maintain social cohesion and stability. It encourages individuals to respect the wisdom of their ancestors and to uphold the values and beliefs that have been passed down through the generations.

Respect for hierarchy is another key value in the Guardian moral system. This value emphasizes the importance of social order and the need to maintain clear lines of authority and respect within the community. It encourages individuals to show deference to those in positions of authority and to uphold the social hierarchy in order to maintain social stability.

Loyalty is another value that is highly valued in the Guardian moral system. This value emphasizes the importance of staying committed to one’s community and to the individuals within it. It encourages individuals to demonstrate their commitment to the group through acts of service and sacrifice, and to remain loyal even in difficult or challenging circumstances.

The value of taking vengeance is also emphasized in the Guardian moral system. This value encourages individuals to seek justice for perceived wrongs or injustices committed against themselves or their community. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining honor and reputation through acts of retaliation or punishment, and of demonstrating one’s willingness to defend oneself and one’s community against perceived threats.

Deception for the sake of the task is another value that is emphasized in the Guardian moral system. This value encourages individuals to use strategic deception in order to achieve their goals or to protect themselves or their community. It emphasizes the importance of being clever and resourceful, and of using one’s wits and intelligence to gain an advantage in difficult situations.

Making rich use of leisure is another value that is emphasized in the Guardian moral system. This value encourages individuals to use their leisure time in ways that promote social bonding and community building. It emphasizes the importance of socializing, participating in group activities, and enjoying leisure pursuits that promote the well-being of the community as a whole.

Ostentation is also valued in the Guardian moral system. This value encourages individuals to display their wealth, power, and status in order to gain respect and honor within the community. It emphasizes the importance of demonstrating one’s social standing and wealth in order to gain influence and status within the group.

Dispensing largesse is another value that is emphasized in the Guardian moral system. This value encourages individuals to demonstrate their generosity and hospitality towards others in the community. It emphasizes the importance of sharing resources and wealth in order to build social relationships and to gain honor and reputation within the community.

Exclusivity is another value that is emphasized in the Guardian moral system. This value encourages individuals to maintain strong social boundaries and to limit access to their community or social group. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of identity and distinction from other groups, and of

On the other hand, the commercial moral syndrome is based on the principles of innovation, competition, and individualism. This moral system is commonly found in the business world, where individuals are motivated by profit and success. Jacobs argues that the commercial moral syndrome is necessary for promoting growth and progress within society.

The commerce moral system, also known as the Market Culture or Exchange Culture, is characterized by a set of values that prioritize individualism, personal achievement, and economic success. This moral system emphasizes the importance of trade, commerce, and free markets as the basis for social and economic prosperity.

One of the values that is central to the commerce moral system is shunning force. This value emphasizes the importance of avoiding the use of violence or coercion in economic transactions, and instead relies on voluntary exchange and mutual benefit. It encourages individuals to seek out opportunities for trade and cooperation, rather than relying on force or coercion to achieve their goals.

Competitiveness is also highly valued in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to strive for excellence, to outperform their competitors, and to achieve personal success through hard work and dedication. It emphasizes the importance of innovation, efficiency, and productivity in order to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Efficiency is another key value in the commerce moral system. This value emphasizes the importance of using resources and time effectively in order to maximize productivity and profitability. It encourages individuals to seek out ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency in order to achieve their goals more effectively.

Being open to inventiveness and novelty is also highly valued in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to be creative, innovative, and adaptable in order to meet changing market conditions and consumer demands. It emphasizes the importance of being open to new ideas, technologies, and business models in order to stay competitive in the marketplace.

Initiative and enterprise are also highly valued in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to take risks, to be proactive, and to seize opportunities for economic success. It emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and individual initiative in order to achieve personal and economic success.

Voluntary agreements and contracts are also highly valued in the commerce moral system. This value emphasizes the importance of honoring one’s commitments, and of relying on voluntary exchange and agreements in order to facilitate economic transactions. It encourages individuals to negotiate and enter into contracts in good faith, and to fulfill their obligations in order to maintain trust and reliability in the marketplace.

Dissent for the sake of the task is another value that is emphasized in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to question authority, to challenge existing norms and conventions, and to pursue innovation and progress. It emphasizes the importance of creative thinking, problem-solving, and the pursuit of new ideas and approaches in order to achieve economic success.

Being industrious is also highly valued in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to work hard, to be productive, and to make the most of their time and resources in order to achieve personal and economic success. It emphasizes the importance of diligence, perseverance, and hard work in order to achieve one’s goals.

Being thrifty is also valued in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to be frugal, to save money, and to avoid wasteful spending in order to achieve long-term economic success. It emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility, planning, and prudent decision-making in order to achieve economic stability and prosperity.

Investing for productive purposes is another value that is emphasized in the commerce moral system. This value encourages individuals to invest their resources and capital in productive activities, such as starting a business or investing in new technologies, in order to generate economic growth and prosperity. It emphasizes the importance of innovation, risk-taking, and investment in order to achieve long-term economic success.

Collaborating easily with strangers and aliens is also highly valued in the commerce moral system. This value emphasizes the importance of building networks, relationships, and partnerships in order to facilitate trade and commerce across different cultures and societies. It encourages individuals to be open-minded, respectful, and cooperative in order to achieve mutual benefit and economic

CONFLICT

Jacobs also highlights the potential conflicts that arise when these two moral systems come into contact with each other. For example, when a company prioritizes profit over ethical considerations, it may clash with the guardian moral system that values tradition and social responsibility.

There are several lines of conflict that can arise between the Guardian and Commerce moral systems, as their values often clash. Here are some examples:

1. Shun trading vs. Come to voluntary agreements: The Guardian moral system values self-sufficiency and discourages reliance on trade and commerce. In contrast, the Commerce moral system encourages individuals to seek out trade and voluntary agreements as a means of achieving economic prosperity.
2. Exert prowess vs. Compete: The Guardian moral system values strength, honor, and reputation. In contrast, the Commerce moral system values competition and individual achievement. These two values can clash when individuals are forced to choose between exerting their prowess and cooperating with others in a competitive marketplace.
3. Adhere to tradition vs. Be open to inventiveness and novelty: The Guardian moral system values tradition and stability, while the Commerce moral system values innovation and progress. These two values can clash when new technologies or business models challenge traditional ways of doing things.
4. Respect hierarchy vs. Collaborate easily with strangers and aliens: The Guardian moral system values social order and hierarchy, while the Commerce moral system values collaboration and open-mindedness. These two values can clash when individuals from different social or cultural backgrounds must work together.
5. Take vengeance vs. Respect contracts: The Guardian moral system values justice and revenge, while the Commerce moral system values contracts and voluntary agreements. These two values can clash when disputes arise between parties who have entered into contractual agreements.
6. Be exclusive vs. Promote comfort and convenience: The Guardian moral system values exclusivity and elitism, while the Commerce moral system values accessibility and convenience. These two values can clash when businesses or organizations must choose between serving a select few or catering to a wider audience.
7. Show fortitude vs. Be optimistic: The Guardian moral system values strength and resilience in the face of adversity, while the Commerce moral system values optimism and risk-taking. These two values can clash when individuals must decide whether to persevere in the face of challenges or take a more cautious approach.
8. Be fatalistic vs. Invest for productive purposes: The Guardian moral system values acceptance of fate and the inevitability of death, while the Commerce moral system values investment in productive activities and the pursuit of long-term economic growth. These two values can clash when individuals must decide how to allocate their time and resources between immediate needs and long-term goals.

In general, the Guardian moral system values tradition, stability, and social order, while the Commerce moral system values innovation, competition, and economic prosperity. These values can sometimes be at odds with one another, and individuals must navigate the tensions between them in order to make decisions that align with their personal values and goals.