Western Individualism is the core identity of our culture and education. It is the legacy of the Greeks and their political democracy. Yet philosophically it opposes the interdependence necessary to meet the emerging demands of a global community that co-exists in peace.  Is it possible to reconcile the rights of the individual with the common good?

There is an argument to be made for periodically modifying democracy in the interests of political evolution.  For example, the Founding Fathers of the United States added the feature of representation from the Roman Republic to the pure democracy of the Greeks.

Democracy as practiced by the Greeks required the direct involvement of all citizens in all public affairs.

Such a system is not practical, except on a small scale.  A system of representation as introduced by the Romans reserved the democratic principle of the Greeks while introducing trust in elected officials to administer the ever-expanding demands of government on behalf of the people.

Neither direct democracy nor republicanism satisfies the political demands for social interdependence emerging as a consequence of globalism.  What will be the next step in political evolution?

SOLIDARITY AN ALTERNATIVE

Solidarity is at least as old as its Greek counter-philosophy. Solidarity originated in the Near East and is a worldview underpinning the sacred writings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This they share in common. It can serve as the basis for a global political system in which co-existence is possible.

Solidarity emphasizes the welfare of the group in addition to the individual. 

INSTITUTIONAL SOLIDARITY

There remains the task of building the institutions of government supporting the philosophy of Solidarity.  The judiciary is the institution of government currently closest to this concept.  In order to be the next step in political evolution, Solidarity must first preserve the rights of the individual and the concept of representation in government.

CONCLUSION

Political science is an ever-adapting experiment in government.  The present system of individualized politics must be adapted to the trend toward globalism or overcome as unprepared by time and its inevitable circumstances.  The concept of interdependence for the common good found in Solidarity is the next stage of political evolution.