Why is there grave ideological division in some societies and an overwhelming consensus in others? Miserable living conditions as opposed to high material standards? Inflation or economic stabilization? The immigration of “radical” workers and the inflow of extremist literature as opposed to the maintenance of a “homogenous” population and, perhaps, censorship? Capitalist exploitation and the class struggle as contrasted with socialist competition and classlessness? Although some of these economic and political counterpropositions might, if carefully analyzed, yield helpful answers to the question posed, such phenomena are often symptomatic of deeper dislocations in society. One of these deeper dislocations which can, in the opinion of this writer, provide real understanding of ideological division involves the maturation process as it occurs in individuals, in the family, and ultimately in society as a whole. It is the thesis of this article that when the maturation process is unduly slowed or interrupted consensus in society may be sacrificed and social crisis may result. Analysis is developed around a social-psychological framework and consensus in society and in the labor relations system is explored from this point of view.