The idea that Loeb presents in chapter 7 is not a brand new idea. It is something that has been used in many civilizations. We use it in our society, and so did the Soviet Union, what some would consider our opposite. Difference was that America keeps volunteering optional, Communism, not so much. The idea has been around so long because it is a beautiful, romantic idea that all humans should strive for. We all want to care for everyone else. We want to think we help others as much as we can. Not many people are pure evil like we think, where they would get joy from kicking a homeless orphan or some such nonsense like that. However, all it will ever be is a romantic idea, because it contradicts another powerful human motive, self-interest. We have an undeniable urge to improve our lives, morally and materialistically. These two motives are in constant struggle with each other in what has accumulated into the phrase "We have to help ourselves before we can help someone else". The basic definition of economics proves this more, by stating all economics is the process in which a society divides up its scarce resources, because there is not enough for everybody. So until we have technology that can create matter out of thin air, we will never reach a point where everyone will take care of everyone else and look out for one another. Some people may consider this pessimistic, I consider it realism.
This doesn't mean however we have no responsibility to help others. We are human, we are communal creatures. Our actions should be to always work towards the greater good of our race. There is a reason we have developed feelings like empathy When others like us fall on hard times, we feel the need to help them, because somewhere inside of us, we know its best for ourselves as well and our future. That is why we as a group are doing what we do.