It’s so basic. It’s there in just about every religion. It’s there in the modern secular world too. It’s written in just about every ancient writing about human behaviour.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” This simple rule can be worded in different ways. I remember it, maybe from long ago at Sunday school in Horsington church as: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Equally it could be put as: Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
People are scratching around for statements that are undeniably true or guaranteed concerning the EU referendum on 23 June. Well here’s one; after the referendum no matter what the result this simple rule will continue to apply. In the world of international trade it can be called; Reciprocity. A definition of reciprocity looks like this: “a relationship between people involving the exchange of goods, services, favours, or obligations, especially a mutual exchange of privileges between trading nations.”
So, if I’m sitting in a Government office in Westminster and decided to increase a trade tariff on say; steel coming into Britain I would reasonably expect the reciprocal to happen. That is that; the Countries impacted by our decision would take an action to rebalance or redress the situation.
Equally, if I’m sitting in a Government office in Westminster and decide to increase or change immigration policy and restrict the movement of people I would reasonably expect the reciprocal to happen. That is that; the Countries and/or the trading blocs impacted by our decision would change their policy towards British citizens.
One way of looking at this is to consider the highly interconnected nature of the world and rightly conclude that; “no man is an island”. Something will be done in return to my actions – that’s a certainty. I’ve see the British Press describe this as a “threat”. By pointing out that in the real world reciprocity happens we see the two sides of the coin. In other words; I do something bad then you do something bad or just the same; I do something good then you do something good. Personally, growing up with three brothers we all learned this at a young age.
We have to ask ourselves, with all modesty, was Jesus issuing a threat in the Sermon on the Mount? I don’t think that was the intention. The simple command or law just sums up something everyone knew at the time but occasionally choose to forget.
Today, Vote Leave is choosing to ignore this rule big time. Vote REMAIN understand the this golden rule very well. You should too. Let it guild you in the way you vote.
John Vincent 