As I’ve read Who Rules the Earth (Steinberg 2015), the influence of rules in our world has been made very clear to me. Even at times when I feel far away from the influence of social rules, I am under their jurisdiction in some sense or another. Steinberg describes this vey well, stating that “many of the simple pleasures we take for granted today, such as a walk on the beach, are possible only because others before us scrutinized the existing order of things, found it wanting, and changed the rules” (Steinberg 2015, 21). That is why this post is titled as it is. Humans rely so heavily on rules, whether or not we are aware of it, and changing those rules will make an impact on the way we live on Earth. Steinberg’s main argument regards the value of institutional change. If we change the rules, we create change.
Active civic engagement is essential, for it is not enough to simply change our personal habits (Steinberg 2015, 220). However, Steinberg describes a phenomena through which “a concerned citizen reaches for the eco-friendly shampoo bottle and is done” (Steinberg 2015, 220). The idea that individual action alone is enough can be harmful to progress, though it may make the individual feel less threatened when they take small, consumer-based action. Steinberg’s ideas have helped me realize that the individual actions I take, while they alone will not solve our problems, are not wasted efforts as long as they don’t inhibit me from taking action at the institutional level as well.
As humans, we are creatures of habit, which I’ve always thought of as something that impairs progress, “yet ruts are not all bad” (Steinberg 2015, 222). Social change “requires both moving away from the old set of rules, and putting in place new rules that endure” (Steinberg 2015, 223). If we can replace an old rut with a new rut that is more beneficial than the old rut, social change can occur and last, ironically by utilizing our tendency to oppose change.
To truly make changes that will last, rules governing rules, or super rules must be changed. Though this seems more daunting than just changing a policy, Steinberg assures us that this may not be the case. As a citizen, participation is often more accessible than convincing a decision maker to adapt a certain policy, and through the process of participation, community members can acquire “a foothold in a rule making process,” and eventually have a greater influence on policy decisions (Steinberg 2015, 262).
Moving forward, how can I apply these ideas of institutional change to both my personal life and my life as a student? As a student, it is important to note the importance of learning in the principles outlined in the final chapter. From the eight principles I gathered that it is important to ask questions, be informed, communicate intelligently, reach out to those with different perspectives, learn from efforts in other places, seek expert advice from multiple diverse sources, and to think vertically (Steinberg 2015, 263-279). Learning is vital, but so is sharing that learning with others in order to take institutional action.
So, how can I be someone who will “leave behind a legacy of rules that shape the actions and opportunities of generations to come” (Steinberg 2015, 264)? Often, the way to get to a root of a problem simply requires asking why, and armed with that simple word, one can create change (Steinberg 2015, 268). I find this idea very comforting, for it allows all people to be participants in changing rules. With information, dialogue, and persistence, we can all be rule changers.