Alcoholics Anonymous is a paradox in many ways. Not least is its American origins: it is this country's great spiritual contribution to the world, far eclipsing in terms of its scope the many religions that have also been born here. Indeed, it is hard to conceive of a movement with AA's pragmatism having originated anywhere else in the world. And yet, despite its arising from a cultural background that insists above all else on the rights of the individual, the very first of the movement's (and of every similar movement's) Traditions reads:

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon [our fellowship's] unity.

We've heard this so many times that it fails to register any more. But read it again, and ponder: Did you ever hear a statement that so strongly opposes the fundamental individualism of the American way? What's going on here?

It's been said that the Steps protect us from our addiction, while the Traditions protect us from one another. The uncompromising dedication of the First Tradition primarily to our common welfare is a reminder that -- while "we" recover -- "I" will take down not only myself but everyone else around me. The focus of the last three Steps on anything other than "I" is foreshadowed by the clarion call of the First Tradition to "our common welfare." As the AA saying has it, "We stay sober, I get drunk."