A Preliminary Description of Categories of Political Ethics

Humans share values, but not all values are shared with everyone. Some values conflict.

In 21st century America, the conflicts are not only between these values, but in the assumptions of who possesses them. This essay makes a list of the categories and the beliefs about others that go with that category.

1. Solo, isolationist. Only the individual is supreme. Highly vulnerable to takeover by nearby groups with any other ethic.

2. Tribal, our tribe is the only moral tribe on the planet. We are the best. All other tribes and individuals are like animals and must give way or die.

3. Tribal, our tribe is best, but other tribes can exist provided they do not interfere with us. Or if they are our slaves. Perhaps it would be better if they can trade with us so that we are better off.

4. Tribal, but exists in or near a monarchical culture, and is aware that the larger polity can destroy them. Prefers trade, but may still harbor secret feelings of vast superiority. 

5. Tribal, but exists inside a WEIRD nation or culture. Will exploit blind spots of the WEIRD nation it finds itself in.

6. WEIRD, classic liberal, but is aware that other cultures are tribal. Extends favorable treatment to only those who are known to have WEIRD values. Treats non-WEIRD as outsiders and prefers not to allow them insider status. Will admit non-WEIRD individuals when they see those individuals consistently demonstrating WEIRD values.

7. WEIRD, classic liberal, is aware that some other cultures are not WEIRD, but assumes that other cultures can be made WEIRD liberal too as soon as you teach it to them.

8. WEIRD, classic liberal, but assumes that all cultures are WEIRD liberal too. Or assumes that the features of WEIRD culture are automatically part of any human political ethic. Does not have full comprehension of tribal ethics, or sees tribal ethics as entirely rustic, benign, noble. Willing to admit anyone from any culture automatically without testing their original political ethics. Assumes that all people are pro-social and have Western political values.

9. Monarchical based on religion. Common for large Western polities prior to WEIRD.

10. Monarchical based on ethnicity. Common for large polities with strong geographic boundaries prior to WEIRD.

11. Has some or most WEIRD characteristics (pro-social, laws respecting individuals and property rights) but did not evolve from the Catholic Church’s prohibition against cousin marriage and similar rules that broke up the power of family clans and created WEIRD culture.

A great deal of the conflict in the U.S. is between those of belief 6 and those of belief 8. Democratic Socialists have belief 5. China may fit 10. Japan may fit 11.

The strong parts of this analysis are thought to be in the tribal and WEIRD belief sets. Further discussion would likely refine categorization of Asian polities and those that existed in ancient Greece, Rome, and in the Middle Ages.