Throughout history there have been moral systems in place within every culture. While each of these culturally-based moral systems have had different elements, they have all been designed to support tribal structures. Tribal structures have, over time, coalesced into larger units that form modern nation-states. I call this tribally based moral system the traditional moral system. Ultimately this system is based on a zero sum world where the amount of food and land are limited. Anyone or any tribe gains anything only at the expense of others.
In the past two centuries a new moral system based on commerce has emerged.
For much of the commercial world these two moral systems operate in parallel. The commercial moral system values meritocracy above all values. Meritocracy requires tolerance among working and commercial people so that they can tolerate working with and selling to others who are radically different from when. (A Bahai Lebanese engineer has to work with a Persian Shia sales manager.) It additionally requires high levels of openness and honesty among people working together. And it requires an appreciation for technology and the subsequent commercial-technologically induced world of change. The world of moral commerce is new and different and is based on a positive sum world. Commerce has brought wealth and prosperity to everyone in its path.
The difference between these two systems is understood with the question: 'would you prefer to hire a friend or to make friends with the people you work with?'
Both the traditional moral world and the commercial moral world exist within traditional nation-state and commercial systems that are amoral. The traditional world has tribes and nations that fight with each other, cruelly. The commercial world has people and businesses who will buy from and sell to anyone regardless of who they are.
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