Nurturing Diversity: The Garden of Good and Evil

And to give the knife a bit of a twist, too, if he felt so inclined. Quebec’s separatist leaders like to talk about Quebec’s distinct society. And it’s reasonable to grant that Quebec is, in many ways, distinct. But it’s equally fair for other Canadian leaders, especially those far removed from the electoral realities of federal politics, to point out the ways in which distinct from the Rest of Canada mean inferior to the Rest of Canada. Mayor Nenshi hasn’t just done his little bit to boost Calgary, and invite new citizens there to settle. He’s pointed out the obvious — as long as Quebec insists on pursuing exclusionary policies, it will be the lousiest place in Canada to live. If that’s the distinction they’re going for, they’re welcome to it.

That which adapts, survives - and thrives.  Where does adaptation come from?  Diversity.  If you want to stay the same forever, try building firewalls around yourself and keep the rest of the world out.  Japan did that.  The Ottoman Empire did that.  North Korea, enabled by China, is pushing that experiment about as far as it can go.

Without change, stagnation and rot sets in.  Always does, always will.  If the people beyond your walls don't knock them down (their superiority due to the laws of adaptation), the weeds will eventually force their way through, cracking your defences.

Diversity is not a threat - change is not a threat.  Change is inevitable; diversity is strength.

The role of government isn't to segregate its citizenry nor to allow each to grow wild - that leads to a tangled mess and eventually, brushfire.  

True leaders are like gardeners, seeing neither good nor evil but the potential for sustainable growth.  Plant the seeds, nurture systematic growth, reap what you sow, etc.  It's something to chew on, at least.