It’s not about literalism or religion.

In complex systems, we can often find one or more central principles on which everything else depends. Certain core, foundational elements support and give rise to everything else that grows out of them. We have some metaphors for this. An architectural keystone — a specially shaped stone at the summit of an arch — is the piece that keeps the entire structure intact. A linchpin — a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in place — enables an entire vehicle to move safely. A building’s foundation must support everything built upon it or else the entire structure will collapse.

A new fundamentalism recognizes how these keystone, linchpin, and foundational pieces are critically important and fascinating. If we could just get these right, we could make the world a better place.  So if you want to identify and solve the key underlying problems we face, you’re a fundamentalist, redefined.

In our personal lives, we have an intuitive grasp of fundamentalism. We know that without good health, most things in life become very difficult. We know that a good marriage or partnership creates a supportive basis of love and security that enables us to face the world more easily every day. And recent studies have shown that people who are conscientious live longer — presumably because that one characteristic leads to less recklessness, a better diet, and a higher likelihood of holding down a job, among other things.

In the material world, 118 atomic elements give rise to every physical thing in the universe. In modern urban life, our electric grid and clean water systems make it possible to inhabit the structures we live and work in.

In the world economy, the most fundamental factor is money. Although the world’s nations have created different currencies, virtually every place on the planet has accepted the keystone concept of money — a medium of exchange for things perceived to have value. There is no intrinsic value to a dollar bill, or to the electronic numbers that record how much money we have in our bank accounts. Our modern economy works because we all share a fundamental faith that when we want to use our money to buy something, all sellers will be willing to accept it in exchange for what they have to sell.

So, are there keystone issues that underlie the problems in our country — problems that, if fixed, would lead to a positive domino effect throughout society? Yes, and here are a few possibilities:

• Economic growth. A rising tide can lift all boats.
• Education.  Quality education for everyone would create a more level playing field of opportunity for success and political participation.
• Empathy. If we could increase our capacity to feel each other’s joy and pain, we would likely have greater peace and cooperation in the world.
• Money in politics. If elected officials concentrated only on what’s good for the country and not for lobbyists and campaign donors, public policy choices would be much less likely to favor special interests.
• Prejudice. If people were always judged by the content of their character, our individual and collective potential would be realized.
• Overpopulation. With fewer people competing for the world’s limited resources, we would likely have less poverty, conflict, and global warming.

Can you add to this list? Can you write a short essay about any of these topics? Contact us to share your thoughts.