Lesson Eight: Silent Deviance

Deviance, in terms sociological terms, is the behaviors of an individual or minority which are generally disapproved of by society at large. The most common examples that present themselves are crimes. However, while all crimes consist of deviance, not all deviance constitute crime. It is in fact possible, to have an anomie of altruism. Examine the theory of anomie, the supposed "normlessness" and isolation of a subculture which erodes the norms of society, not in the negative, but in the positive. In recent American history, the Civil Rights movement was a form of minority (no pun intended) dissent which gave way for a positive social change.

It is important to differentiate altruistic deviance and anomie from a political cause and/or platform. Whereas the concept of a government like democracy may have arisen from an altruistic anomie in a monarchy, the democratic platforms of liberalism and conservatism are individual philosophies within the government entity which propose a certain method on how to carry out the initial ideal. To put it in childlike imagery: Do not pull left and right, but move forward. It would be unrealistic to expect the individual to conduct a Civil Rights movement caliber endeavor. Those things take time and coordination. However, there are things we can do as individuals on an everyday basis.

The next time you and your family are having a picnic and your parents get in a fight with your little brother about politics, do not waste your time picking sides or trying to sway one person to one school of thought. These battles of ideals accomplish nothing, but create tensions and rifts amongst those with which you must unite with. If you see your friends start to debate about the debt ceiling, or the sequester, be silent, get up, find a cigarette butt or two on the ground, and throw it away. It is not constructive to argue with someone regarding the merits of their personal philosophies on how to help the general public. Best case scenario is you win. You convince them that the ideals they hold are meaningless. You convince them that their philosophy on how to help people doesn't work, can't work, and shouldn't be tried. You convince them that doing nothing would be more help to society, then doing what they think is right.

Allow a Republican or Libertarian teach others about personal responsibility. As it is their passion, they will have the most convincing arguments about how and why an individual should be personally responsible. For the same reason, let a Democrat or Socialist teach others about taking care of others. Both ideas are essential, and it is as pointless to argue which is better as it is to argue whether red is better than blue.

One should also be aware, that arguing that one should not argue about politics in the midst of a political argument, is arguing. Do not quote this at the dinner table. Just shut up, and clear the dishes. Sort the compost from the recycling from the waste. Your silence in action will speak louder than any rhetoric.