XXI SOCIAL UNIT

LET us keep in mind that in Sociology the same as in Biology, Evolution always starts in with the simple unit. In Biology, Evolution began its progressive development with the protoplasm of the single cell, and by countless additional cells mutually co-operating with the first cell slowly evolved the individuals, high and low, of the Plant and Animal Kingdoms.

The same is also true in Sociology. First some lone Individual happens to conceive of an improved plan, program or method of 93Thinking, Living and Working. This pioneer individual Thinker then makes his advanced ideas known to a few others. Then a comparatively small group of these matured social Individuals forms the first nucleus of a family, a tribe, a nation; all at first run largely on the basis of superstition and physical force, but later turn more and more to sane naturalism and ideal democracy, perhaps a Modern Paradise.

The Reader can plainly see that the Modern Paradise Plan of social and industrial organization is voluntary co-operation. Hence, there is no compulsory Law to evade, no opposing Minority to fight and subdue, and no armed force to contend against. With free, voluntary Co-operation (Co-operative Individualism), everybody naturally glides into that position where he or she fits in best, and where each prefers to be.

So far Sociologists have almost universally regarded the man-made Family instead of the biological Individual as the ultimate unit of human Society. But this primitive theory that husband and wife are one can never produce real social and industrial harmony as the rapidly increasing number of divorces and numerous other sociologic discords indicates, because every self-respecting individual—man, 94woman and child—naturally strives to be free and independent, and that can be accomplished only when the Individual instead of the Family is regarded and recognized as the social unit.

With the aid of these Modern Paradise Plans and Specifications as given in this book, any two or more Individuals that have a little brain and material wealth can build and furnish the first Modern Paradise as their ideal Home right now. After they have it all finished and furnished, they can invite the 500 or more refined Co-operators to come in and live and work with them as equal Partners.

All the invited men, women and children need to furnish is their clothes and their ability to live a harmonious co-operative life; merely be able to do some useful work and mind their own business and let others do the same.

There is no charity connected with the transactions. The Builders absolutely need the 500 or more invited Co-operators as equal partners to complete their ideal home, a home where they are immediately surrounded by a group of free, independent, congenial men, women and children, as equal partners, and the success of the first Modern Paradise depends almost entirely on the proper selection of the Charter Members. With ample funds on 95hand the first Modern Paradise could be built and furnished in less than two years.

In selecting these Charter Members, we want to bear in mind that only a very small per cent of the people are as yet matured for a model Co-operative Life. The vast majority still use the weapon of Force of some kind instead of Reason to fight their battles of life and that force method whether used by individuals, groups or nations always produces strife and discordant results, misery instead of happiness.

If the first Modern Paradise Association makes good, others will, no doubt, rapidly follow along similar lines as soon as more and more of the people develop for that higher and cleaner life, so that in time the whole Nation will be blocked off in large Landed Estates or Modern Paradises; and all by pleasant voluntary co-operation as equal Partners.

Visitors from all over the world would undoubtedly come and personally see and examine the Form and Operation of the first Modern Paradise, and the pioneers that make the realization of such an important progressive measure possible, will, no doubt, be hailed by all future generations as the greatest benefactors of Humanity.

96To accomplish all the important things that have been suggested in the foregoing pages, of making a heaven on earth, only three things are necessary. First, Material Wealth, of which we already have $200,000,000,000 worth in the United States. Second, Plans and Specifications for building and operating the Modern Paradise. This illustrated book will adequately serve this purpose; and Third, intelligent men, women and children as refined members to occupy and harmoniously operate the Modern Paradise as equal Partners.

We may thus see that the first two essential factors—Wealth and Plans—we already have to the required extent; and of the third—refined Co-operators—we also have some, but not very many, perhaps 10,000 or a 100,000 or possibly a 1,000,000 in the United States, but this number is now rapidly increasing, and this increase will, no doubt, continue until all will be model subjects desiring to live a free, clean, healthful, prosperous, happy life; the only life really worth living for a refined person.