It’s not so much human nature as it is capitalism. The small scale mutual aid gets scaled back because the group runs out of money, the helpfulness shrugged off because individuals barely have enough to care for themselves, and austerity makes politicians as well as political citizens more concerned about cost than helping people.
You’re both right, but capitalism is an expression of human nature. That was the original argument for it, in fact; the “invisible hand” referred to self-interest, an aspect of human nature.
It is at once both the unique strength and tragic weakness of the economic system and humanity alike.
It’s not so much human nature as it is capitalism. The small scale mutual aid gets scaled back because the group runs out of money, the helpfulness shrugged off because individuals barely have enough to care for themselves, and austerity makes politicians as well as political citizens more concerned about cost than helping people.
You’re both right, but capitalism is an expression of human nature. That was the original argument for it, in fact; the “invisible hand” referred to self-interest, an aspect of human nature.
It is at once both the unique strength and tragic weakness of the economic system and humanity alike.