Towards A New World Order: The Case for Cohesion. by Dr. Ian G. Haffenden
Introduction. My personal mission in life has always been, as far as possible, to facilitate improvement in the human condition. With this in mind, and thinking pragmatically, I have previously attempted to look at how our existing conflicting systems of governance (capitalism & socialism) could be made to work better under ideas of Socio-capitalism. My form of Socio-capitalism was underpinned by ideas of freedom and equality being redefined in terms of “… liberty with a conscience” and “…. equality in diversity”. The focus was on a practical iterative approach to moving forward towards a better World. Here I will go one step further. It is time to be a little more radical in the light of a very changing World. What seems clear is the World, over the next decades, will be rapidly changing and will move to a New World Order. We are moving from the Old World that was subject to over-arching eras of colonialism followed by capitalism. From the colonialism of ‘control and take’ to the capitalism of ‘competitive markets to exploit’. We are now, however, shifting to a new era and a wider belief in a more holistic approach to saving the planet and the human species; in part from itself. A move to a greater appreciation and need, for true international partnerships and not ones based of the old hegemonic practices. The problem thus becomes one of changing the existing “mind set” particularly in the West, driven by the American individualistic view of: “strategic market competitors” to a more helpful view and holistic “mind set” of: “strategic partnerships for mutual gain”. A Way Forward. To create a more holistic approach requires, for human beings, a new and understandable, supportive rationale and value base. We need to replace the focus on notions of freedom (we never actually had) and equality (that was never going to be achievable) with something new and tangible, whilst accommodating those existing needs. Something that can be understood and valued to work towards. Ideas around fraternity suggest a holistic alternative, but fraternity is, as a concept on its own, not specific enough. However, notions of fraternity through a value base provided by cohesion is a possibility. Cohesion being: “The action or fact of forming a united whole”. This would provide the holistic ‘value base’ required here. The vision of the New World Order becomes a vision of forming a “United Whole”. Although separated globally, by different cultures, development and resources, all would be focusing on a more valued working: cooperatively and cohesively with each other. Working toward a workable ‘forming of a united whole’ …….and rejecting the existing model of exploitative markets that benefit one, over the other. The focus of all activity moves from individualism and/or equitable practise, to actions that all and equitable individuals can contribute to the ‘united whole for everyone’. Contributing and working towards the opening up and provision of resources for the common good of the whole, making lives work for all those involved and forming a united whole: a more united and war-free World. It is clear from the above, there would need to be a fundamental change in the global ‘mind set’ for such a holistic World to come about. It would also seem likely that this would be easier from a more socialist starting point to achieve than from a more capitalist normative-consensus viewpoint