Once again: The Stages of Social Development

This presentation was given by Don Beck in October 2000 at the State of the World Forum, New York. As conlicts in Tbet/China, Russia/Georgia, Kosovo in Europe, israel/Palestine, Zimbabwe and dozens and hundreds of other geopolitical tension zones show , and increasing amount of new global journalism from people like Fareed Zakaria, Roger Cohen, Parag Khanna, Mark Leonard, Gabor Steingart and others is dealing with broader  and deeper perspectives, its good to have this overview about the underlying dynamics which can liberate the dilemmas into growth and sustainable win-win.win situations.

For me, in the year 2008, this presentation has even multiplied its signifcance. European, North American and other leaders from developed worlds as much as those from the emerging regions are well advised to shape their agenda in the light of these perspectives.

And the article recommended by Don Beck in his presentation from the Atlantic Monthly written by Robert Kaplan  can be read here, for all NOn- subsribers of AM:

Was Democracy just a Moment?

Was written already in 1997!

Stages of Social Development

The Cultural Dynamics that Spark Violence,
Spread Prosperity, and Shape Globalization

THE TWELVE POSTULATES

Don Edward Beck, Ph. D.

Debates over globalization are but the surface-level collisions of the deeper
tectonic plate-like cultural fault lines that remain hidden from view. The
failure to both understand and deal with these evolutionary core value systems
result in needless clashes over worldviews, constant threats of "us" vs. "them"
or class-based violence, and expensive, politicized solutions that are both
inappropriate and ineffectual. The WTO debates and conflicts in Seattle exposed
these fault-lines. But where are the integral, cohesive principles and processes that
can bridge over the great, global divides? Who can untie the global knot?
How can the positive elements within both capitalistic thinking and socialistic goals
be meshed for the common good? Consider the Twelve Postulates, an integral
initiative based on an understanding of the complex dynamics that forge and
transform human cultures, communities, and countries.

Quo Vadis, Humanity?

In this post Cold War and postmodern age, we are asking serious questions regarding the preeminence of rigid ideologies, national boundaries, proprietary interests, technological utopias and naive, egalitarian demands in crafting the next global mesh. We hear all of these voices. We register all of the claims. We record all of the "truths." We see all of the demonstrations and displays of street theatre. But, we have a sense they all stream from the Tower of Babel. No wonder the realities are so diverse; the thoughts so confusing, the solutions so divisive. It is as if all six billion people have climbed on top of the Tower and are now shouting slogans at us. All seem to want a place in the sun, a position in the niche, and free tickets to Disney World.

If one were to do a content analysis of all the books and articles written on the global gaps, or arguments presented in academic or think tank settings, or even the political dialogue in national parliaments or international summits, we would see several clear and distinct patterns. Capitalism is great or greedy. Socialism is humane or harmful. Technology is a blessing or a curse. The rich are that way because they worked hard or simply won life's lottery. The poor are that way because they are undisciplined or oppressed by the rich. Economic redistribution will level the playing field or dumb down global intelligences. Which is it?

Most of the discussions center around competing economic models, open political access, mandated equality of opportunity and results, and a host of other external, top-down solutions. Arguments grow in emotional intensity around the size and distribution of budgets. Money becomes the magic elixir that will cure all ills. If we build attractive places for all to live the "losers" will be transformed into "winners" by simply changing street addresses. New rules and regulations will transform hearts and minds. Everybody will benefit from the rising tides of prosperity as the free market makes global waves. Everybody will benefit from the largess of big government, using taxes to fund social work schemes. And, of course, brilliant technological innovations will bring the Internet into each and every home, with or without electricity. Right.

But, why haven't these policies worked in the past? Look at Africa. Look at Haiti. Look at the Balkans. Look at Russia. Look at the Mississippi Delta. Look at Yorkshire's coal mining villages. Look at American Indian reservations. Look at the huddled masses everywhere yearning for a loaf of bread. Look at India's Calcutta kids. Look at border sweat shops and urban cesspools. Look at the number of "minority" teenagers in American prisons. In spite of all of the money spent, expectations raised, programs imposed, "good deeds" celebrated and "good works" performed, our problems persist. Why?

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