476. But as the being advances gradually in the spiral-circuit, that is in development, he becomes more and more skilful in managing for himself, which in this case means that he develops his "individuality" and his dependence on the herd diminishes.
      It is this degenerating dependence on the herd in the beings which creates the basis for everything we know in the form of politics, nationalities, the formation of all kinds of societies, trade unions, commercial concerns, religious sects or communities and so forth. They are all based on exactly the same foundation as that which causes wolves to form packs in the wild. They have joined together in order to benefit by, and protect themselves through, the superior power or authority afforded by combined majority action instead of individual appearance.
      This principle has been so enormously strong and fundamental that, to a certain extent, it still creates conditional areas of life (states), although there are many "herd foundations" today which are rather fragile, in that they contain beings who are so tired of their membership that they leave the herd. This exodus from the herd is at times so widespread that it causes the disintegration of the herd. But beings are not yet so independently stabilized, mentally and physically, that they are free from dependence on the herd, and the result is that, sooner or later, they will join a new "herd", meaning some other political, religious or professional society or union.