# VI explained — The National Being

> Chapter companion for The National Being by George William Russell.

## What happens

The chapter outlines a vision for creating a cooperative rural community in Ireland, arguing that such an organization is essential for a true rural civilization. It describes how farmers can become masters of their own destinies through cooperative societies that integrate all aspects of rural life, from farming to social activities, and emphasizes the moral and spiritual transformation that such unity can bring. The author draws parallels between biological organisms and social organisms, advocating for a community where individual and collective interests are aligned, ultimately linking this economic reorganization to national idealism and the quest for a higher civilization.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cooperative Economics and Rural Community

The entire chapter is a detailed blueprint for cooperative organization of rural industries, emphasizing collective ownership, shared machinery, and integrated economic activities.

### Spiritual vs. Material Forces in Civilization

The narrator links economic cooperation to moral and spiritual development, arguing that true community creates higher forms of life and national idealism.

### Role of Artists and Thinkers in Nation-Building

The vision includes village halls, choirs, and cultural activities, suggesting that artists and thinkers contribute to the community's character and quality of life.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents a detailed vision for cooperative rural organization, drawing on experience and advocating for a unified community.

## Key lines

> An industry divided against itself can no more prosper than a household divided against itself.

A business that is internally conflicted cannot succeed, just as a family in conflict cannot thrive.

_Emphasizes the need for unity within cooperative organizations._

> The organized rural community of the future will generate its own electricity at its central buildings, and run not only its factories and other enterprises by this power, but will supply light to the houses of its members and also mechanical power to run machinery on the farm.

In the future, the cooperative community will produce its own electricity, powering both communal factories and individual homes and farm equipment.

_Illustrates the comprehensive self-sufficiency envisioned for the cooperative community._

> We in Ireland are in quest of a civilization. It is a great adventure, the building up of a civilization—the noblest which could be undertaken by any persons.

Ireland is on a journey to create a new civilization, which is the most noble and practical enterprise possible.

_Connects the cooperative economic plan to a broader national and spiritual mission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_national_being_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters