Continuance

The Hierarchy of Continuance is related to the Hierarchy of Allegiance. 

First - The survival of the paradigm of Transcendent Reality comes before that of the state.  In this sense the more states that are  encompassed by the paradigm of Transcendent Reality, the more robust the paradigm, and the greater its chances of survival, providing that the states are reasonably aligned with each other - preferably by a transcending government embodying a greater social conscience at the GOD level.

Second - The survival of the state comes before the survival of any tribe or clan.  In this sense, the weaker the tribes and clans in a state, the more robust the state, providing that there is reasonably internal alignment.  However, if their exists a tribe or clan in that state that cannot be reconciled to the greater good of the state, than that tribe or clan should be eliminated from the state by the destruction of the identity of the tribe or clan, or withdrawal of the state from the territories of the dissident tribe or clan. 

Third - In a world with no state, the survival of the tribe comes before the survival of any clan within the tribe.  In this sense, the weaker the clans in a tribe, the more robust the tribe, providing there is reasonably internal alignment.  However, if their exists a clan or family in that tribe that cannot be reconciled to the greater good of the tribe, than that clan or family  should be eliminated from the tribe, either by destruction of the clan or family identity, or withdrawal of the tribe from the territories of the dissident clan or family. 

Fourth - In a world with no state, and no tribe, the survival of the clan comes before the survival of any family within the clan.  In this sense, the weaker the families in a clan, the more robust the clan, providing there is reasonably internal alignment.  However, if their exists a family in that clan that cannot be reconciled to the greater good of the clan, than that family should be eliminated from the clan, either by destruction of the family identity, or withdrawal of the clan from the territories of the dissident family.

Family - Paradoxically, the family is the basic social unit for state, tribe, and clan.  When a state exists, the continuance of the family unit takes precedence over the continuance of the tribe or clan.  The preferred method to suppress the strength and dominance of tribes and clans is to prevent intra-marriage within the ranks of the tribe or clan - promoting instead the marriage of unrelated families within the state.  This takes a few generations to effect, but lessens the probability of civil wars and bloodshed.

Individual - Individuals are indispensable to the operation of a state government.  However, individuals are expendable, replaceable social units, no matter the cost of rearing and training.  Individuals which demonstrate inimical behavior towards the greater social good, and an inability to reform, must be removed from the greater society.  This is commonly accomplished by imprisonment, banishment, or execution.  However, an individual who merely shows independent thought and action that do not threaten the greater social good should be tolerated and even encouraged, so long as their behavior is not materially disruptive – as it is these types of individuals who most often make the most profound contributions to progress and evolution in science, philosophy, and religion.