Democracy - Aristocracy

From the content of the four questim-declatim functions presented, it becomes immediately clear how and where the substantive content of the quadral trait DEMOCRACY-ARISTOCRACY comes from. Democrats are Qi+De. Aristocrats are Di+Qe. Qi among democrats is deeply individualistic; due to its tendency to disagreement and sensitivity to irritation, it does not tolerate any collective pressure. Accordingly, its ideal is a society with horizontal connections, consisting of similar individuals. That is, horizontal cooperation, not hierarchy. De also does not build any vertical hierarchy; moreover, it constantly violates any hierarchy, actively laying its own purely horizontal connections in society. Thus, the shared value between Qi and De is their common ideal - a society of individuals with developed horizontal ties and a weakly organized vertical structure. This is a liberal model of society, ensuring maximum individual human independence and freedom.

On the other hand, Di of the "aristocrats" encourages the subject to completely identify with the group and fully submit to its rules, interests, and goals. Qe of the aristocrats is also interested in a vertical hierarchical and "tightly knit" social model, but for completely different reasons - Qe adheres to "leader-based" models because it fundamentally disregards other people, dividing society into heroes and the crowd, elite and plebs, and invariably sees itself in the first category. Of course, there are no areas in the brain specifically responsible for the desire for freedom or non-freedom. But there are areas responsible for the thresholds of irritation and stress responses. And how and why differences in these thresholds further result in differences in the preference for free (but loose) or cemented (but unfree) societies, we have analyzed in detail above.

Part 10: POLE OF SOCIONIC "DEMOCRATS" (SYMPHONY OF INDIVIDUALISM AND EGALITARIANISM) = Qi+De

QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS, MOST STRONGLY CORRELATED, AMONG ALL SOCIONIC TRAITS, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE POLE OF DEMOCRATS (the correlation between the trait "democratism" and respondents' answers to the question is indicated at the end of each questionnaire statement):

Human rights and social equality are certainly more important than the imperial power of the country. 0.56
Individuality above all else, I reject any hierarchy, herd mentality, and groupthink. 0.54
I am an individualist, and in myself and others, I am exclusively interested in personal qualities, not in belonging to any group. 0.51
I like being in a society and environment where no one depends on anyone else, where there are no "elders" and "authorities." 0.49
Personal interests are always more important than any group interests. 0.49
Power should be built from the bottom up, according to democratic principles, and never from the top down. 0.48
I am used to interacting with others on equal terms, and I cannot imagine any other way of interaction. 0.45
Any manifestation of inequality irritates me. 0.44
I would prefer to live in a society where there is no division into aristocrats and commoners, masters and servants, bosses and subordinates. 0.42
In the role of a boss, I would exhibit a democratic, rather than a command-and-administrative leadership style. 0.40
I judge a person only by their abilities, their diplomas and titles mean nothing to me. 0.40
With any people, I try and usually manage to behave on equal terms — regardless of their relative position to me (that is, I try to maintain the same position with my subordinates and with socially recognized authorities). 0.39
Great wealth is more desirable to me than great power. 0.39
I respect the individuality of others more than the ability to fit into a group as a useful member. 0.38
Any hierarchy and obligatory respect for people "due to their status" — position, age, etc. — irritates me; to my taste, this is almost always bad rather than good. 0.37
Which statement is closer to you? - 1) The people are strong in their unity. 5) The people are strong in their individual talents. 0.36
Individualism is good, not bad. 0.35
It is extremely unpleasant for me when I am "put in line" according to some rules. 0.35
Fitting into some group hierarchy and becoming an inseparable part of it is rather unpleasant for me. 0.34
I have always defended and will defend freedom of speech — the fuller, the better. 0.34
It is true that I am somewhat stingy and really don't like parting with money. 0.33
I despise the "herd mentality" in people. 0.33
It is very characteristic of me to distance myself from bad people and bad relationships in advance, thus protecting myself from negative experiences. 0.33
If I were President, I would expand openness and shorten the lists and duration of information classified as state secrets. 0.33
I don’t need any leaders or chiefs; I am on my own. 0.33
I treat with irony those national cultures where every youth group (and not just youth) necessarily has a leader. 0.33
Classifying important events from the public is always a terrible thing. 0.32
I consider those capable of usurping power or taking something from the weak to be scum. 0.31
Transformative work that changes things around is always better than the most perfect, but stagnant order. 0.31
The motto "Science and Humanism" is closer to me than the motto "Unity and Cohesion." 0.30
Which motto is closer to you? Choose the number of the option: 1) A united people, a common destiny 5) We are different, we are friendly 0.30
Every person must be absolutely free in their political views. 0.30
I am more in favor of reducing the functions and rights of the state in relation to citizens than increasing them. 0.28
My goodwill towards people is rather broadly diffused, rather than limited to a specific defined circle of people. 0.28
I would only agree to command people with their voluntary consent. 0.28
Doing something for someone while forgetting about myself — well, that’s just not about me. 0.28
I am indifferent to patriotic pride; I have other interests and concerns. 0.28
Relations between people should be built predominantly: 1) Vertically 5) Horizontally. 0.28
My position: let everyone live as they want. 0.27
Being somewhere out of obligation, I always think about how to make the current pastime more effective — to fulfill the boring duty and at the same time manage to do something useful for myself. 0.27
I tend to simplify rather than complicate the structure of the subject of my thoughts. 0.27
My slogans: live and let live, do not seek to dominate, and respect the freedom of others. 0.27
I believe that the collective and "public opinion" are very rarely right (in reality — almost never). 0.27
I get rid of imposed illusions, opinions, and beliefs more easily than others. 0.27
I really dislike interfering in other people’s affairs and conflicts or receiving such assignments. 0.27
I think about myself first, then about others. 0.26
If I were in Napoleon Bonaparte’s place and enjoyed the same popularity and power as he did, I would: 1) also proclaim myself the lifelong ruler of France; 5) use my power to introduce a system of regular and guaranteed renewal of France’s top leadership through democratic procedures within a few years. 0.26
Almost daily, I feel that I lack certain opportunities and resources. 0.26
I hate losing, so if I lose a game for money, I try to turn my previous agreements with my partner into a joke. 0.26
I believe that true faith in God does not need a church. 0.25
I have an aversion to any pressure from the collective on an individual. 0.25
I highly value my own independence. 0.25
It’s important for me to respect myself, and the respect of others matters much less to me. 0.25
I believe that the rules of one structure should never extend to the rules of another structure, let alone to their universalization and merging — let all flowers bloom, let there be many different orders, and let everyone live the way they like. 0.25
Any attempts to restrict the freedom of information dissemination irritate me. 0.24
I notice memory problems — I often forget things I’d like to remember. 0.24
If someone did something bad to me, it means they are a bad person. 0.24
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity — these are sacred concepts for me. 0.24
I prefer movies about monstrous snakes or alien creatures in dense forests more than movies about sadistic maniacs (like the film "Saw"). 0.24
Unlike many, I am completely unable to give insincere compliments (it goes against my entire being). 0.24
A limited, parliamentary constitutional monarchy is definitely better than autocracy. 0.24
I experience stress regularly, at least once a week. 0.24
I periodically experience internal muscle pains (unrelated to physical exertion or injury), which become especially acute when pressed with a finger. 0.23
I do not forgive close people for egocentric, irresponsible, or dismissive behavior toward others. 0.23
I am characterized by a strong drive for truth and justice in everything. 0.23
If I were an omnipotent god, I would follow the principle of human self-determination — oversight and interference would be distasteful to me. 0.23
In a normal society, people should not march through life in step and in unison — after all, they are all different. 0.23
Truth is always more important than public opinion, so I would never compromise my beliefs and principles just because someone might think something bad about me. 0.23
Many governmental functions in many countries today are clearly excessive. 0.23
I usually don’t feel responsible for other people — they are responsible for taking care of themselves. 0.22
In conflict situations, I almost always prefer to defuse the conflict and seek compromise, rather than "stand on principle." 0.22
Among the people I know, there are definitely some I don’t like. 0.22
Overall, I treat everyone the same, without adjusting my behavior to their status. 0.22
I have been significantly late for a date or work at least a couple of times. 0.22
I can simultaneously keep several different goals and thoughts in mind. 0.22
From kindergarten age, children should be taught the sanctity of others’ rights and lives. 0.22
When I try to do everything I promised, I often quickly feel physically exhausted and apathetic. 0.22
I prefer people who are unusual and who claim uniqueness in my social circle. 0.22
I believe that, in terms of spiritual potential, I belong to the intellectual elite of society. 0.22
Attempts to restrict the rights of "immigrants" are dangerous chauvinistic nonsense that could lead to serious trouble. 0.21
Sometimes I gossip. 0.21
I would prefer the job of an industrial equipment commodity expert to that of a traffic police officer. 0.21
I often get too carried away inventing improvements, forgetting that the perfect is the enemy of the good. 0.21
I often, almost daily, encounter unpleasant dangers. 0.21
If someone doesn’t like my feelings and opinions, that’s their personal problem. 0.21
I absolutely hate dress codes (mandatory clothing requirements), and sometimes even ignore them at official events. 0.21
I believe that the right to private property should not be restricted in any way. 0.20
Sport hunting animals is a pastime for psychopaths — I find it neither interesting nor enjoyable. 0.20
I would be very upset if people considered me just as simple and ordinary as everyone else. 0.20
In any situation, I form my own opinions about what is good and bad without yielding to pressure. 0.20
I enjoy competing with myself in solitaire games on the computer, trying to improve my speed or score. 0.20
People should behave independently rather than uniformly — they shouldn’t look to leaders for direction. 0.20
Carrot and stick approaches work better in most cases than purely punitive measures. 0.20
On television, I usually find individual sports competitions more interesting than team games. 0.20
I enthusiastically embrace new information. 0.20

The values of socionics democrats are horizontal (rather than vertical) social connections, individualism, including the priority of individual rights and freedoms over the rights of the state in relation to the individual, the priority of free cooperation over any top-down authoritarian coercion. It is also contempt for status boundaries, equality of people in society, maximum rights to freedom of opinion, diversity, and pluralism in society. From the point of view of the values of socionic "democrats", the justified and primary tasks of the state are supporting and protecting socially useful personal initiatives of citizens, ensuring initial (from birth) equality of their rights, ensuring transparency of public life, creating and ensuring the functioning of fair and respectful laws towards individuals that do not unnecessarily infringe on human freedom, as well as ensuring honest, predictable, and equal application of laws to all, ensuring the protection of minority rights, and protecting citizens from the encroachments of bandits, tyrants, and usurpers (both internal and external). Anything beyond these tasks (and especially contrary to them!) comes from the devil. Most democrats are equally alien to all manifestations of nationalism based on "blood or birthplace" rights, as well as the imposition of so-called political correctness on society in the form of supporting every newcomer, idiot, and marginal figure solely on the basis that they are newcomers and therefore should be loved despite their laziness and stupidity. In short, "democrats" oppose any social pressure on the individual, whether ideological, political, or religious, and they particularly reject any manifestations of dictatorship and authoritarianism in governance.

Since democrats are not "unifiers", it is often difficult for them to defend their values in front of society. Even a group of beta aristocratic unifiers that is two or more times smaller in number, but well-organized and united around their leaders with unquestioning discipline, can overpower "democrats" in political battles — something that has happened more than once in history.

REMINDER ON HOW THE VALUES OF THE DEMOCRATIC POLE ARE FORMED FROM THE COMBINATION OF SOCIONIC FUNCTIONS Qi AND De.

Introverted white questimity (Qi) is highly perceptive of others' mistakes, skeptical, has its own opinion on every issue, is easily irritated by any external pressure on its subject, and reacts acutely and painfully to everything it considers wrong or erroneous. It is hypersensitive to threats and restrictions on freedom imposed on its subject by society or the authorities.

Being introverted, this function has little desire for personal power (unlike Qe), but at the same time, it will never agree to the role of an unquestioning executor. It is an anxious-reasoning function, with a highly developed error detector (this is its core essence and purpose). Qi does not need societal support, as it finds it unthinkable to identify with the masses — instead, it requires protection from fools, i.e., from society itself. Therefore, the societal model of liberal democracy is the most comfortable environment for Qi. Any authoritarianism is abhorrent to Qi.

De, on the other hand, is completely devoid of the vulnerable sensitivity to pressure that characterizes Qi. Instead, De is filled with open acceptance of all people and everything in the world. It easily and indiscriminately establishes contacts, making no distinctions based on people's social status, and is free from national and social prejudices. It easily and with considerable liberated impudence overcomes any social barriers, ultimately getting its way. Any ideologization is alien to De; it does not respect any barriers or boundaries, recognizing only the power of communication, pleasure, and profit over itself. Moreover, De is easily ready to share its good mood and acquired well-being with others, without calculation or self-interest (simply because it enjoys doing so).

However, De (unlike Qi) also easily adapts to life in an authoritarian class-based society — since it easily breaks through its boundaries, gnawing horizontal connections within it, and due to the charm of its insolence and thanks to bribery, overcomes its rules as well. Still, black declatimity is most comfortable and free in the same environment as Qi — namely, in conditions of liberal democracy. Where bribery is unnecessary, and the risk of running into an ideological fanatic is lower, and respect for all its talents is greater. One should not overlook the dual attraction of De to Qi carriers — it is precisely the latter who often shape the political views of De subjects, as initially (without Qi support), De-people are rather indifferent to politics and ideology and are ready to be friends with both the right and the left.

Part 11: POLE OF SOCIONIC "ARISTOCRATS" (SYMPHONY OF COLLECTIVISM AND ELITISM) = Di+Qe

QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS MOST CORRELATED WITH THIS POLE AMONG ALL SOCIONIC TRAITS (the correlation between this trait pole and respondents' answers is indicated at the end of each statement):

Proper authority should be built "top-down", and all the talk about democracy is for the weak. 0.57
A citizen should belong to the state, just as a child belongs to the family. 0.54
Sympathy for a country competing with your homeland, or for a company competing with your employer, is already betrayal. 0.53
A person is not a patriot if they allow or, even worse, help foreigners criticize their country. 0.51
Representatives of different social groups should remain within their groups without mixing. 0.49
My life is dedicated to the collective common good. 0.48
I almost always feel myself not as a loner, but as part of a family or tribe. 0.46
I always feel like part of a larger human whole - the people, the state, the collective. 0.45
In my view and taste, modern society has too much equality. 0.45
I am more committed to common interests than personal ones. 0.44
Public interests have always concerned me more than personal ones. 0.44
I believe the interests of an individual are nothing compared to the interests of the family and tribe. 0.43
If there are no masters and submissive subjects in a society, it would be boring to live in such a society. 0.42
A person should obey the opinion of the majority. 0.41
Public life should instill adherence to a single ideology among the people. 0.41
I would never ask for a favor to avoid feeling humiliated – it’s easier for me to force someone to comply. 0.41
If you are not part of a group bonded by personal loyalty to its leader, you will achieve nothing in life. 0.40
I believe the importance and value of individual interests are often exaggerated because one person is always just part of a whole made up of many people. 0.39
I support the principle of collective responsibility – everyone must answer for one. 0.37
If society had no vertical power structure and everyone were permanently equal, life would be very boring. 0.37
Every collective should have a "senior in rank." 0.36
Spreading hostility towards potential enemies and fear of authority's power is a useful measure for strengthening a good state. 0.36
I can easily imagine myself performing some fatal military feat (and sometimes imagine it in my dreams) – like pilots ramming their planes into enemies, Japanese kamikaze pilots, or Alexander Matrosov covering a bunker embrasure with his chest. 0.35
Autocratic rule is better than any democracy. 0.35
I feel comfortable as a member of a "pack" with a strong, authoritative leader. 0.35
A country will not be strong or respected in the world if it allows dissent. 0.35
The people, with its collective self-awareness, are above any individual. 0.35
The world of any individual person is only a part of the overall fate of the state, nothing more. 0.34
I am one of those who are fundamentally capable of self-sacrifice for an idea or the common good. 0.34
Among other nations, I respect the most those capable of acting harmoniously as a single entity. 0.33
I love rigid structures that do not allow any internal changes. 0.33
I have reasons to complain about my memory – it sometimes fails me. 0.33
What is more valuable? – 1) Right to choose 5) Absence of doubts 0.33
I believe the law should impose the strictest punishments for betraying state interests. 0.32
The most necessary value for any society is unity and cohesion of the people. 0.32
I am a team person – for me, there are always "ours" and "theirs." 0.31
Economic growth should not come at the expense of the state's sense of grandeur. 0.31
I am a team player, and I always rely on teamwork and division of labor. 0.31
In this life, I work for others, and that suits me. 0.31
For me, absolute monarchy is better than constitutional monarchy. 0.31
It is usually preferable to rely on relatives or former comrades and colleagues rather than on people who share your views. 0.30
I believe legislators often follow liberals and give people too much freedom. 0.30
Military valor is one of the highest human virtues. 0.30
I can easily imagine sacrificing myself for some sacred idea. 0.30
I can work physically for a long time without feeling or noticing fatigue. 0.30
Mandatory rank assignment for civil servants in ascending order based on seniority and achievements is a good and necessary thing. 0.30
The harsher and tougher the regime, the better. 0.29
I would like to have a terrarium with a snake at home. 0.29
Compared to many of my friends, I rarely suffer from colds or "runny noses." 0.29
A wide variety of behavioral patterns harms social stability and the strength of the state. 0.29
I am dependent on public opinion (at least as much, if not more, than others). 0.29
I enjoy creating a clear and strictly hierarchical system of subordination. 0.29
I am bothered by the feeling of hopelessness and uselessness. 0.29
Monarchy is usually better than a republic. 0.29
I enjoy forbidding things or controlling how rules are followed. 0.29
I am always nervous about shaking hands with people who seem sick to me. 0.29
Historical truth about past events is unnecessary and harmful if it interferes with national self-respect. 0.29
Developed clan-based tribalism is more beneficial than harmful for society. 0.29
I like the saying: "Every cricket should know its hearth." 0.28
Violence is an acceptable method for solving many problems. 0.28
I often promote a healthy lifestyle among my acquaintances. 0.28
People should strictly observe religious rules and traditions. 0.28
Limiting individuals for the sake of the family is always justified. 0.27
Seniority-based ranks for civil servants are necessary and useful. 0.27
My worst fear is to feel like an unnoticed gray mouse in society. 0.27
I am a collectivist at heart, I believe in selfless enthusiasm, brotherhood, and friendship. 0.27
If I were a ruler, I would try to conceal and classify a UFO landing. 0.27
Only a hierarchical system is just, not equality. 0.26
If a person is not fully loyal to their birthplace, their "small homeland," then you can hardly expect much good from them. 0.26
In society, each person should know only what is appropriate for their status, nothing more. 0.26
Ideally, every nation should have its own state religion. 0.26
What is more important to instill in children? 1) Independence and self-reliance 5) A sense of family-tribal unity 0.25
Complying with others’ requests and easily agreeing to meet them halfway is often the same as feeling humiliated. 0.25
Sometimes I actively seek self-sacrifice and suffering. 0.25
In a good society, there must be a single authority figure. 0.25
In critical situations, it is better to rely on: 1) Deviating from the rules 5) Stricter adherence to the rules 0.25
I think I have more ill-wishers than friends. 0.25
What do you find more admirable in people? 1) Willingness to defend their opinion regardless of rank 5) Respect for the boss’s opinion and the collective’s mood 0.25
I respect works of art that have stood the test of time more than others. 0.25
A family should be responsible for each of its members. 0.25
Existing contradictions in society should be hidden, not revealed. 0.25
Almost daily I think about who in my environment is "one of us" and who is "an outsider." 0.25
I can remain actively working for a long time without sleep or food. 0.24
There were many positive aspects in Russian serfdom, which Russia lost for a long time after its abolition. 0.24
I am almost always confident in my superiors' correctness. 0.24
Most of the time I have a good memory, firmly retaining all my plans and all important things. 0.24
I can be offended or insulted by violations of etiquette. 0.24
I will not listen to the opinions or advice of someone if they present it in a disrespectful manner. 0.24
I always feel a sense of belonging to a collective. 0.24
I take past ideals as a model rather than utopian ideals of the future. 0.24
In my behavior, I always unthinkingly follow the leader – as they act, so will I, within the framework of my place in the hierarchy. 0.23
I am sentimentally protective and caring toward the memory and traditions of my "small homeland." 0.23
When it comes to important matters, the opinions and positions of authorities matter to me. 0.23
I always try to pay attention to and respect the hierarchy within the collective. 0.23
Broad, universal education is more harmful than beneficial to society. 0.23
I greatly respect subordination, but I will only be an obedient subordinate to a very authoritative power or someone much stronger than me. 0.23
Security is usually more valuable than various freedoms. 0.23
My love is usually tinged with jealousy. 0.22

The VALUES OF SOCIONIC "ARISTOCRATS" are formed by Di’s desire to find for itself the meaning of life and, at the same time, protection and support by identifying itself with its pack (a narrow close group), and at the same time from Qe’s desire to impose its rules and spread its hatred and rejection among the widest possible circle of people, which is also easiest for it to do with the support of the pack. The values of the aristocratic pole are "collective thinking" and the standardization of the mentality of all group members, vertical social ties cementing the group within a framework of hierarchical collectivism, the recognition of the priority of group interests and goals over individual interests, and accordingly, the disregard for individual freedoms (which is especially characteristic of Di), the prioritization of group dictate over free horizontal cooperation, intolerance towards loners and representatives of other groups, thinking within the framework of group competition priorities, pack instinct and the sense of finding purpose and meaning (in Di) and liberation from doubts (in Qe) generated from belonging to the pack. In addition, adherence to group values automatically entails everything that can cement the group, serve as a marker of belonging to it, and simultaneously visibly contrast "one's own group" with alien groups — including various kinds of "bonds" in the form of group symbols (coats of arms, banners, places of worship), as well as traditional values and various religious bonds and prejudices.

LET'S ANALYZE HOW THE VALUES OF THE ARISTOCRATIC POLE ARE FORMED FROM THE COMBINATION OF SOCIONIC FUNCTIONS Di AND Qe.

If introverted Qi, striving for energy conservation, defense, and self-protection like any introverted function, directs its irritability and heightened sense of wrong towards self-isolation from social pressure, and in society seeks to create mechanisms of justice that protect individual rights, especially the right to dissent and doubt, then Black Questimity (Qe) actively implements its irritability and intolerance, striving to extend them to the group and make them a group (collective) value. That is, instead of the inter-individual rejection characteristic of Qi, extroverted black questimity tends to generate collective hatred (group against group, pack against pack). At the same time, within the group, Qe, as an extroverted function, claims the role of arbiter of norms and the role of judge, who divides people into the right and the guilty, into wolves and lambs.

If extroverted De (which, due to its declatimity, has low anxiety and extremely weak perception of others' mistakes and shortcomings) does NOT suffer from its "thick-skinnedness" and uses this "thick-skinnedness" to break down walls and barriers, establishing broad horizontal connections between people with the most diverse views, values, nationalities, and group affiliations, then introverted Di, due to its introversion, rationalizes its insensitivity to shortcomings and mistakes, prosthetizing this defect with group morality and conservative group values. If it is difficult to weigh every time what is good and what is bad, what is right and what is wrong, then one can rid oneself of this task altogether by entrusting it to the group’s (collective) opinion. And this is all the more so because Di's insensitivity to individual human errors and shortcomings within the group itself greatly contributes to the choice of such a strategy. In this situation, Di assigns itself the role of guardian of group values, inert over time and set "from above" (beyond its own control), and the role of their unquestioning executor, for which it rightfully expects reciprocal benefits from the group in the form of protection, assistance, rewards, and career advancement.

Thus, both "aristocratic" functions, Qe and Di, are characterized by corporate mentality — albeit for different reasons.

To all the above, one more common feature of Qe and Di functions must be added and noted, one that physiologically distinguishes them from the Qi+De pair. Qi and De gravitate towards the evolutionarily most modern frontal neocortex, which is very minimally dependent on the instinctive sphere of humans (the only connection here is that the neocortex restricts and inhibits the influence of instincts). In contrast, Di and Qe both appear to gravitate in their mechanisms towards the rear temporal areas of the brain, which, in turn, have direct and close positive neural connections with the subcortical centers of ancient biological instincts. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the much more "biological" behavior of both aristocratic functions, including their close affinity to the pack instinct, is explained not only by the logical reasoning given above but is also partially directly derived from the immediate and "intimate" connections of these functions with the subcortical centers of the brain that generate instinctive group behavior.