Let's start by defining two systems of human organization:
1) Cooperative - positions are assigned through absolute demonstration of skill and tie breakers usually involving seniority. Rewards are based on "fair value" - anyone working as hard as they can at whatever position they are in deserves as much reward as anyone else regardless of ability or type of position.
2) Competitive - positions are assigned through relative demonstations of skill. Rewards are based on auction of services to highest bidder.
If a society completely organizes cooperative then the usual deficiencies associated with the "left" result. New technology introduction will be difficult as there is no driver for disruption. Zealotry in the pursuit of equality can result in humans rights issues. Without a class of super rich balancing the power of the state, dictatorship is a constant threat.
If a society completely organizes competitive then it will suffer maladies of the "right". Tragedy of the commons issues in research, the environment, culture and education will be difficult to avoid. Zealotry in the pursuit of inequality can result in humans rights issues. Unregulated winner take all competitions may result in monopolies and an all powerful royalty.
So then come the hybrid systems:
3) Run 1) and 2) for different societal functions in parallel. For instance run science, education, military, culture and regulation using system 1) and other functions using system 2). Problem here is that the wealthy winners from the 2) side will eventually corrupt and dominate the 1) side.
4) Swing like a pendulum between 1) and 2); shifting each time the usual faults of each system emerge. Problem here is that the pendulum may swing wider and wider and the faults get bigger and bigger until there is a melt down.
So the question of how big is the middle comes down to are we a society of 1) and 2) believers that are fighting it out? Or are we mostly 3) or 4) believers that are having difficulty stabilizing those systems? Or is there an unheard of system of organization that would be more agreeable and stable?
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