Essay/Term paper: Can't we all just get along?: competition

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Humanities Essays

Can't We All Just Get Along?: Competition


In our country, everything is run by competition. From basic family
roles, to sporting events, to economic well-being. It is this competitive
nature that makes us able to better ourselves, and others. Competition is the
driving force that pushes one forward. However, assume our nation were
cooperative in nature. What would that be like? Would it be a better place
than the competitive world of today?

First there must be a clear understanding of just how this competitive
nature affects our everyday lives. Nearly every aspect of our day has
competitive under tones. Some of this competitive nature is unknowing to the
person at the time. For instance, a school is one of the best demonstrations
of competitive nature at play. Why do some students work so hard in school?
To be better than the rest, to be successful. For one to become better than
others, and consciously be doing it, there are definite competitive acts going
on. Tests are competitions, sporting events are competitions. In the work
force, everyone is striving to become the "head honcho". To do this these
workers must compete with each other ( although not a conventional "direct
competition" ) to gain the praise of their supervisor; thus increasing their
chances of moving forward.

Next, look at the way a cooperative nation would operate. The entire
system of employment, money, education, etc. would have to be completely
revamped. Instead of trying to surpass someone at something, you would help
that person come to your level. Everyone would have an equal opportunity to
education, a job, land, food, etc. This is called communism. Communism looks
brilliant on paper, but does it really work?

History suggests that communism doesn't work. This is thoroughly backed
by the fact that the inventor of communism, the Soviet Union, have fallen out
of its government, and demanded. Without competition there is no drive to
become smarter, or better at a skill. You are guaranteed a job, and despite
the job, an equal salary. In a communist world, doctors receive the same pay
and respect ( as a far as the government goes ) as a farmer. Why should
someone subject themselves to such a difficult occupation when others simply
throw seeds on dirt? The answer is that they are forced to by the government.
Therefore communism is equal but unequal.

Overall, communism is a very difficult subject. It seems like it would
be the best thing for everyone, yet it has never been efficient. Therefore,
capitalism, or a competitive nation, is far superior to one of communism.
Although capitalism does not work perfectly, it has been far more successful (
historically ). Also, it is human nature ( actually, animal nature ) to be
competitive; from the sperm's race to the egg, to the old man's last breath, we
as a race cannot live without competition.