Systems of Survival: A Dialogue on the Moral Foundations of Commerce and Politics is a 1992 book written by American urban activist Jane Jacobs.

She argues that these supply direction for the conduct of human life within societies, and understanding the tension between them can help us with public policy and personal choices.

She argues that each syndrome arose naturally out of different modes of human behavior, but that they can conflict and cause serious problems if not understood.

In the preface, Jacobs explains, “This book explores the morals and values that underpin viable working life.

The other system is the Commercial Moral Syndrome and also is made of 15 principles like, “Shun Force,” and “Compete.” It came into being to support human activities around trade and the production of goods.

Furthermore, it is inevitable that problematic intermixing of the syndromes will occur over time, resulting in what she refers to as monstrous moral hybrids.