Every culture is held together by myths, rituals and symbols.
The myth is the story; the symbol is that one element the story can be reduced to; and the ritual is how the myth is performed.
There it is the myth of free markets; the symbol of Capitalism and the ritual of scapegoating – all in one frame!
When the market collapses, we look for a scapegoat or else Capitalism looses both meaning and value.
No different from when a ship capsizes, the captain has to be scapegoated or the industry will collapse for all its systemic ruptures.
The uncritical masses see only the dark side of scapegoating and therefore consider it a necessary evil to be controlled.
Looking into the history of disasters, however, tells us that by absorbing the sins of the society, the scapegoat brings back peace, order and cohesion for all.
The scapegoat is not only a victim, he is also the saviour, and therefore he is a God.
There is no need to chant hollow mantras such as ‘We operate a No Blame Policy’ or ‘Blame Fixes Nothing’.
There is no need to start an accident investigation report by stating it is not about blaming any individual.
Instead, learn from the 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 how to surface our hidden beliefs and make them obvious to all.
Readings:
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 by Rene Girard
𝘔𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘞𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘺 by Mary Midgley (available for free download)
𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 by Mary Douglas (available for free download)
Any accident investigation report (available for free download)
Pictured in the Merchant city of Glasgow, Scotland.
