Since cartoonist Thomas Nast first used an elephant as a symbol for “The Republican Vote” in 1874, the recognized symbol of the Republican Party has been the elephant.
But elephant society is actually matriarchal and is characterized by cooperation, collaboration, empathy for members of their own kind, and resource-sharing – hardly the foundational principles of the modern Republican Party.
If anything, elephant society is communist rather than capitalist, and elephants are known for tearing down fences, not erecting them. Interactions within elephant family groups feature teamwork and cooperation, and members of the group work collectively to defend the group, locate food and water, care for offspring, and make decisions.
Elephants also learn from experience and highly value the knowledge of elder, more experienced members of the group. Elephant leaders – who are all female – achieve and maintain their position through the consent of the group. To retain their authority, they must demonstrate courage, wisdom, superior knowledge of their environment, effective social skills, and the ability to maintain and strengthen close bonds within the group. Matriarchs who favor some members of the group over others, who do not consistently look out for the interests of the whole group, who lack courage, and who lack the knowledge to lead effectively will lose their position.
A political party that embodied the social practices of elephants would champion policies that ensure that all members of the group have the resources and support they need to thrive. Infant care, child-rearing support, and education would be the highest priorities. Health care would be provided for everybody. Such a party would encourage shared responsibility, collective action to address problems, group cohesion, and compassion for all members of the group. The actions of the group would be based on what is best for the entire group, and decisions about the group’s future would be based on the best available information.
Not sure what political party that describes, but it sure doesn’t sound like the current Republican platform.
“For the body is not one member, but many.” – 1 Corinthians 12:24
February 22, 2019
Don’t take my word for it: https://www.elephantvoices.org/elephant-sense-a-sociality-4/elephants-are-socially-complex.html
