Sumber ilustrasi: Magnific
16 Mei 2026 11.39 WIB – Akar
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Desanomia [16.05.2026] Have you ever paid special attention to the word “competing”? If yes, what became the center of your attention? Where, or in what moment, does this word usually appear? In school (from elementary school until the highest level of education), in family gatherings, in social relations, or in the workplace? Have you ever asked why this word has become a concern for so many parties, or even a concern of the world itself? Why is the world understood through this word? Do you feel that this word actually contains a mystery?
What if you ask those questions to yourself? What do you think would happen? Would you feel strange asking such questions? If yes, is it because you yourself feel that you are already part of the “game”? You may begin to feel that what has been done all this time, such as studying and everything related to it, is nothing more than competition. Even when you look around, what appears is only the movement of competition.
What actually is the meaning of competing? Why is this word organized in such a way? Are you interested in proposing your own view? Do you have a unique perspective, or is your view similar to this:
Most people understand competition as a condition in which two or more subjects move toward the same object, position, resource, influence, or recognition, while the achievement of one party affects the opportunities of the others. Therefore, competition requires three main elements: more than one subject, a goal considered valuable, and limitation, which causes not all parties to obtain the same result at the same time. Without limitation, competition loses its basis of existence.
From this definition, several possible meanings emerge. First, competition can be understood as a struggle over limited resources. In this perspective, humans compete because food, land, markets, capital, jobs, or energy are not available without limits. Second, competition can be understood as a comparison of capacities. What matters is not only obtaining something, but also who is more superior, faster, more efficient, or stronger. Third, competition can be understood as a mechanism of selection, namely a process that determines who survives and who is eliminated. Fourth, competition can be understood as a struggle to maintain position, because any achieved position can always be taken by others.
If all these meanings are brought together, it becomes clear that the main meaning of competition is not just “racing,” but an effort to maintain or improve position under conditions of limitation and uncertainty. Therefore, the essence of competition is not simply movement itself, but the relation between positions. Competition emerges when the existence of others affects one’s own possibilities. In this sense, competition is always related to position and is fundamentally relational.
From this point, it becomes clearer why competition has become such a major concern in the modern world. The modern world is built upon structures that constantly move: economic growth, market expansion, technological rivalry, struggles for influence, and increasing productivity. Within such structures, positions are never considered permanent. Companies can collapse, nations can fall behind, currencies can weaken, jobs can disappear, and technologies can be replaced. Because of this, every subject is forced to continuously improve capacity in order not to lose position.
In the economic world, competition works through the market. Two companies selling similar products must compete for the same consumers. Since consumers are limited, companies are pushed to lower prices, improve quality, accelerate distribution, or strengthen brand image. From this process, innovation emerges. However, at the same time, pressure also emerges to become continuously efficient, sometimes even sacrificing workers or quality of life in order to maintain market position.
In education, competition works through mechanisms of social selection. Grades, certificates, rankings, and reputation become instruments for comparing capacities. Schools and universities are positioned as pathways toward better economic and social positions. As a result, education is no longer understood only as a process of understanding the world, but also as an arena for competing over future opportunities. Competition here operates not only in knowledge, but also in life chances.
In relations between nations, competition works at the level of power and strategic capacity. Nations compete in technology, industry, military strength, energy, investment, and geopolitical influence. Countries with technological superiority possess greater production capacity. Countries controlling energy possess strategic influence. Countries with strong financial systems can influence the global economy. Therefore, competition between nations is often not simply about economics, but about the capacity to shape the direction of the world itself. What is happening today clearly shows this reality.
In everyday social life, competition also works symbolically. People compare status, income, lifestyle, popularity, and social recognition. Social media accelerates this mechanism because everyone constantly sees the positions of others. At this point, competition is no longer only about material needs, but also about identity and self-worth. Someone feels left behind not because they cannot live, but because the position of others appears higher.
From all these cases, it can be seen that competition works by creating a relationship between position and the threat of losing position. The greater the uncertainty, the stronger the pressure to compete. Therefore, modern competition never truly stops. Even when someone has achieved a certain position, that position must still be defended from the possibility of being taken by others.
What do you think? (njd)
Note: This article was made as part of a dedicated effort to bring everyday life around us to our minds.
