User:Agbonifo/Society Health Check

Society Health Check (SHC)- is an index that measures the three broad dimensions of the human society –the political, economic and social. It is based on a concept that posits that just as a health check is conducted on our human bodies, brands, etc., it is just right that we do a check on our society. Indeed, it based on the principle that just as our physical bodies are checked to ensure that things are working in their proper order, by the same token, the human society requires a check from time to time, since it is an organic entity as much as the human physical body, that undergoes a medical check-up, etc. Furthermore, this organism of society is made up of mass of individuals who relate with one another under certain rules so that there can be coherence and, of course, sanity in society. Indeed, the rules that govern the individuals are based on the intrinsic dimensions of the individual that are so essential for relationship with other individuals. Ideally, these are three dimensions which capture the broad distinct ways that an individual will relate with other individuals in a society. These then constitute the rights of human beings, considered in broad terms as political, economic and social.

The three broad dimensions are further discussed below: Political-Ideally, every individual has a free will to be exercised concerning the way they choose to live their lives on the earth, otherwise we would have been zombies. This involves the exercise of one’s will under the authority of the rules that govern any society-the rules that prevail. Moreover, this is the power that an individual possesses and exercises in the mind, which is invariably referred to as will power. Ideally, this will - power, in turn, is conferred to some authority that will take a decision that should optimally favor the same individual - in a fair and equitable manner- in consideration of all other people, or constrained by the mix of decisions of all other people in the society. Indeed, it means giving up of one’s will to take decisions on how to lead one’s life in the mix of all other people’s decisions to lead their own life. Ideally, it should be defined in such a manner that no member of the society should be deprived of the decision to go in their desired path in life within the constraints of other people’s wishes. Ultimately, the result is a decision about how to live one’s life in such a manner constrained by the decisions of the authorities, who provide security for the goals, desires and interests of the individuals. Economic- this is concerned about how one goes about to earn a livelihood in order to fulfill that life or desired path that the individual has chosen to live within the mix of other peoples decisions to earn a living. This is such that everyone within the constraints of their own resources is allowed to pursue a living not at the expense of other people but with one’s goals recognized and respected. This is infinitely important, as it from ones economic pursuits that other aspects of life are fulfilled i.e., for without food to eat, etc. the human society cannot continue. Thus, the society will require economic resources that proceed from the society to manage the entire system. This is normally taken from the resources exploited and/or from taxes from the people.

Social- this is concerned with all that one does apart from engaging in the process that ensures that one’s goals, desires and interests in life, including one’s economic pursuits are protected and secure as well as achieved .In other words, all that one engages apart from the effort to secure ones goals and purposes in life under a system (political) as well as one’s effort to earn a living(economic) This will refer to such aspects of life that involve religious worship, cultural activities, recreation, rest, etc. This dimension constitutes the matrix of our philosophy of life, from goals, desires, etc. spring from. Indeed, these three broad dimensions are interdependent, for one cannot be complete without the two being in place. Hence, the point made earlier that they are essential for civil society to continue. Furthermore, given that these broad dimensions define the principles that underlie human behavior in society, they invariably form the principles that underlie human society, since it is people who make up the society. Thus, an assessment of these three broad dimensions, namely the political, economic, and social will determine the state of that society. Moreover, given that these broad dimensions are so crucial for human existence, they invariably are crucial for the existence of any human society. Thus, how well these dimensions are recognized and respected in people will determine how they react to their society. Ultimately, a society in which these dimensions- the political, economic and social rights of the people- are recognized and respected will lead to a sense of belonging, ownership, responsibility and accountability among people. This will ultimately lead to commitment or patriotism and consequently, the development of that society. Even in a society where physical resources are thin or non-existent, people would be resourceful, creative, etc. with regard to use of natural resources as well as other non-physical (human) endowments and resources, because an enabling environment: a system that assures the individual the right to aspire to their ultimate in life is provided. Otherwise, in the absence of people’s rights being recognized and respected, even where material resources exist, people could still react negatively, by even leaving their society. With regard to development and advancement of human society, it is important that the state of every society should be determined regularly so that the government can know what aspect is required to be strengthened or consolidated, and contrariwise, what is needed to be amended for the society to flourish. The practical implications for a society where rights are recognized and respected, the people will be enthusiastic and will want to work for its progress and advance. Contrariwise, the people will get disgruntled and this will lead to opposition, whether silent or open. Ultimately, it will lead to a change whether violently or quietly. In particular, the effect of violent change is that all that has been labored for over the years could be lost in just a moment, through riots, civil wars, etc. Thus it is essential that information based on aspects that are critical for enthusiasm towards the society and hope for the future, are obtained, as this has implications for the society, whether positive or negative. It is also important that a SHC be carried out to determine possible fault lines, where eruptions can take place among people, leading to massive damage. For practical purposes, when these fault lines are determined then this is pronounced so that people can then be made to know the implications on the rest of society. This information is so crucial because the perceptions of individuals in society determine their attitude towards that society. Therefore, it’s crucial for those interested in the advance of society to be well informed about the perceptions people have about their society. Now, the advantage this has over ordinary opinion research, which just seeks to rate societies based on certain themes, is that, this a scientific method that seeks information that is based on these three broad dimensions -political, economic and social- which are derived from the intrinsic components of every individual or human being, and which are essentially the rights of the human beings in society. This will be done in such a way as to find out if these dimensions or rights are both recognized and respected in that society. The ultimate goal is that the degree to which these rights are recognized and respected and will determine the attitude, disposition - positive or negative - of the individual to that society, which is a necessary prerequisite for the development or advance of that society.