Relationships, Groups and Systems

All social and political power resides in the individual, who exercises it through choice.

All relationships are formed by individuals, for benefits they are unable or unwilling to obtain for themselves.

All relationships and systems comply with natural laws of atrophy. No system can long endure without constituent support.

People in a relationship or system may incorrectly assume stability. But, there is no stability: there is only change.

Organizations and relationships follow typical life cycles.

1. Individuals perceive and define a need.
2. An individual or small group proposes a benefit.
3. Individuals agree or abstain.
4. The relationship or system accumulates approval and power from more individuals.
5. Those who maintain the system may shift their allegiance, from the founding purpose, to their own personal benefit: from serving the individuals who initiated the relationship, to subjugating them.
6. People may become passive; or they may try to revise the system.
7. Those who benefit from maintaining the status quo, resist and defend their positions; and they may become aggressive.
8. Individuals withdraw their approval and support for the system.
9. System insiders may increase their proselytizing or aggressive behavior; or they may try to escape.
10. Opposing systems form and accumulate power.
11. The offending system adapts or crumbles.

Initiating, building, maintaining, revising and replacing relationships and systems is a dynamic, natural process.