Veneer theory is the belief that civilization is nothing more than a thin veneer that will crack at the merest provocation — that beneath our social norms and institutions, humans are inherently selfish, brutal, and chaotic.
Rutger Bregman’s Humankind - A Hopeful History is a direct challenge to this view, arguing that the evidence actually points the other way: that humans are fundamentally kind and cooperative, and that veneer theory is a self-fulfilling myth sustained by media, cynicism, and selective storytelling.
From the essay I wrote on Symbolism, contradictions, and evil in all society - A Clockwork Orange.:
“Suppose people believe that their core nature is selfish. In that case, they might be more likely to act self-interestedly, particularly under social or economic pressures, reinforcing the initial pessimistic view. If politicians, policymakers, and the public subscribe to a view that humans are fundamentally self-serving, policies, systems, and institutions might be designed more around control and restriction than support and integration. This can affect how societies respond to crises, where fear and protectionism might prevail over generosity and open-mindedness. It becomes a self-confirming feedback loop.”