You Need Habits Like Nations Need Traditions

What makes nations tick?

Food, customs, and holidays come to mind when we think about the characteristics of a nation’s culture. These traditions bring necessary uniqueness and identity to nations.

But nations are really just people on a macro level, much like cultures are sort of macro personalities.

Just as customs are vital to a nation’s identity , so too are habits to an individual.

Habits add purpose and meaning to our lives. Think of something as seemingly insignificant as a morning run or mealtimes. They give us something to look forward to tomorrow, even if we’re going through a rough phase in life.

Moreover, without these personal habits that define us we would be dull individuals. Think of how often you do something —or see others do something —which reminds you of a dear friend?

Customs, like habits, however, are not intrinsically good. That they exist is a fact of nature. It doesn’t prescribe morality or lack thereof.

For instance, customs like child sacrifice, suicide, physically harmful drug consumption, and ritual violence are not only subjectively wrong. They are wrong.

But these types of customs cannot be extirpated from a culture without replacing them. For a people to…