Global Citizens Movement Towards A World
Participatory Democracy and Cooperative, Sustainable Economy
Our world is beset by crisis
– climate change, other forms of massive environmental destruction and extreme,
growing social inequality. The time for denial and distraction is over: the
time has come to act.
A global crisis demands a
global call to action. “Global” means we,
the people of the world – not the present globalized corporate economic
system that is causing the crises – but we, the people, transforming it, to a
cooperative, sustainable one, through the structures of a new participatory
world democracy.
This is a call to galvanize a
global citizens movement towards a world participatory democracy and
cooperative, sustainable economy, based on the consciousness of
interconnectedness, unity-in-diversity, equitable sharing of resources and
non-violence. I will speak more specifically about possible strategies to do
that, but first I would like to give a brief background of what I see as the
deeper causes of the crises, and a model for how to apply the remedy – the
consciousness of interconnectedness – at all levels, from our personal psyche
to our social and economic systems.
1 -- The Three C’s: Connecting the Dots between
Consciousness, Capitalism and Climate Change
Naomi Klein (and now the
Pope!) has already clearly identified the causal link between capitalism
and climate
change (and in general, environmental destruction and the growing
inequality that goes with it.) Here I add a third dimension to this causal
chain, for it is the consciousness behind capitalism and
climate change that is the deeper cause of both of these. This consciousness is
a distorted one, the delusion that we are separate, and therefore must live in
competition with each other, and in conflict with nature. This divisive
consciousness finds its expression, par excellence, in the capitalist credo –
the enshrinement of individualistic self-seeking and private self-profit,
disregarding the consequences for others and nature -- the result being our
twin crisis of climate change and extreme social inequity.
To reverse this vicious
causal chain and replace it with a virtuous one – one that restores healthy
life systems and our creative, symbiotic relationship to them – we need, then,
to start with a fundamental change in consciousness. In fact, this change would
restore our natural relationship with consciousness itself, which is itself the
deepest source of our unity, our interconnected being. Consciousness is by its
nature connective. Once we have we embraced this essential truth of our
interconnectedness, with our own source, each other and nature, it is natural
to base our social and economic systems on cooperation and sustainability – the
outer embodiment, in our material systems, of our interconnection and unity.
Thus a new chain emerges,
from a consciousness of interconnection, to cooperative and sustainable
systems, to a course-correction on climate change and our crises of social
inequity.
2 -- Interconnectedness: A Holarchic Model of
Interconnectedness at All The Nested Levels of our Being
Einstein famously said that
you can’t solve a problem from the same level of consciousness that caused it.
It is obvious today that in order to solve our crises we need to come from a
far more enlightened consciousness.
Enlightened consciousness –
both in its most exalted and most practical sense -- is the realization of
interconnectedness: that nothing exists as a separate self, but in
interdependence with everything else. In fact, if you stop and think about it,
you’ll realize that everything that appears to us is at its root dependent on
consciousness itself; it is the “glue” – the unified field -- that connects
“subject” and “object.” This means that “subject and object” are one: we as the
perceiver, and everything we perceive – ourselves, others, nature, the cosmos –
are not only intimately and intricately interconnected, we are actually
boundlessly “One” with each other and with all that exists. (Some people call
this God; but even secular science attests to this.)
Not only has this been the
perception of great mystics and seers, but whole societies have been based on
it. The collective insanity of extreme individualism and destructive greed we
see today is neither inevitable nor natural; it has been deliberately promoted
by commercial vested interests, and an economic philosophy that is
wrong-headed, short-sighted and destructive. Actually, the understanding of
basic interconnectedness and the need for cooperation (with each other and
nature) is natural, and has been part of indigenous cultures, as well as a
basic tenet of many forms of Eastern spirituality, for centuries.
The challenge today, of
course, is that that needs to be applied on a global scale, and in a situation
of much greater complexity. To this end we need a model, a framework, for how
to translate this ancient wisdom – the knowledge of interconnectedness – to all
levels of our being, transforming not only our inner psyche but our
contemporary social, ecological and economic systems.
I would like to offer a
simple model that could possibly serve as a nucleus for a global citizens
movement towards this end. It would facilitate the expression, at all levels,
of this principle of interconnectedness, which I see as fundamental to this
great transition.
It starts with the
recognition that we are not separate entities, but all of us are embedded in a
nested series of systems. The mature, or integral, consciousness we need for
our next evolutionary phase is to expand our identity from our personal sphere
alone to an identification with all the wider systems of which we are a part.
We are each citizens of multiple dimensions. As we mature, both personally and
collectively, we come to identify ourselves not as a separate self but a
seamless part of an integral, ever-evolving Whole.
We can imagine a model of the
concentric spheres or systems in which each of us is embedded, and then begin
to identify how a consciousness of interconnectedness would express itself in
each sphere. These spheres, from inside out, would include the spiritual,
energetic, psychological, ecological, economic, socio-political and
planetary/cosmic.
At the deepest, spiritual
level, for example, “interconnectedness” would mean the experience of unity
with our spiritual Source (secular types can just skip this one, but for those
who have a sense of it, this unity is also the source of our interconnectedness
at all other levels, with each other, nature and cosmos… Or, in more scientific
terms, it means that everything is interconnected within a greater field of
consciousness – without this, nothing would appear at all!) This level, in my
opinion, is in fact the most potent for both individual and social
transformation, but, for the purposes of gathering a widespread global
citizen’s movement in time to meet the most urgent crises, it’s not necessary
that everyone relates to this innermost level.
At the energetic level,
interconnectedness refers to the fact that we are all interconnected within a
unified energy field, and thus every action we take (as well as any thought or
emotion) invisibly affects all others. When we learn to respect and honor this,
we gain enormous power to influence others and events for the good, rather than
unconsciously from negative or self-serving motives. Quantum science is
verifying how powerfully we affect each other, even at long distances. Deep
healing can take place at this level, personally and collectively.
At the psychological level,
interconnectedness would entail the capacity for empathy, to put oneself in the
other’s shoes, to extend one’s consciousness beyond one’s own perspectives,
feelings and belief systems, and enter into the consciousness of the other.
This includes the cultivation of compassionate communication and forms of
collective intelligence (Lots of work is happening in this area today!) This is
also the realm of the moral and ethical call to address the crises of social
inequality and injustice.
At the ecological level,
interconnectedness means the interdependence and symbiosis of ecological
systems, and of ourselves within them. It means that we recognize the intricate
balance of the web of life, and our own participation within it. This one is
probably the most obvious, the easiest to convey, and already understood by
many, as climate change is driving the point irrefutably home. Ecological
interconnectedness can also be easily explained in scientific terms, without
any reference to spirituality or consciousness (or even morality or ethics!) It
is very pragmatic, and, at this point, impossible to deny, since the
consequences of violating it are staring us in the face!
At the economic level,
ideally our economic system would follow the contours of our ecological system,
replicating its patterns and respecting its boundaries. It would replicate the
reciprocal cycles in nature with it own patterns of cooperation, sustainability
and reciprocity. Models of ecological economics, steady-state economics,
non-growth, solidarity and resource-sharing economies, all give us clues to the
features of a new economy based on interconnectedness. This realm is essential
to address, because everything in our cultures is dependent on our economic
structures. The horrors of racial discrimination, human trafficking, the present
refugee crisis and rising crisis of climate change refugees, as well as the
rapid degeneration of the quality of life for all of us, cannot be stopped
without changing our current economic system.
At the sociopolitical level,
working in tandem with these cooperative economic structures, the principle of
interconnectedness would be expressed through collaborative and participatory
democratic processes, from local-scale to global. This might eventuate in
something like a world-wide participatory democracy, mediated by the Internet,
one of the possible outcomes of the global citizens movement which we have been
discussing. At the global level, certain structures for global governance would
need to be agreed on, essentially to protect the principles of cooperation and
sustainability, for the benefit of all. They would not supersede or conflict
with, but rather ensure local
sufficiency, as well as local creativity, and fair reciprocity between regions.
The planetary-cosmic level is
the one that provides an over-arching perspective of who we are and what we are
doing, of our place in the universe. It places us in the greatest context of
the “Universe Story”, embracing both the eternal, universal, and the
evolutionary dimensions of our being. It both imbues life with greater meaning
and restores our sense of wonder at the sacredness of its ever-unfolding
mystery. It gives us the energy and inspiration to serve this greater
unfolding.
This is just a brief
synopsis, of course, of what a healthy expression of interconnectedness would
look like at each of these nested levels of our being. Much more could be said.
But the basic point is that, by embodying an appropriate expression of
interconnectedness at each of these levels, a systemic synergy would be
created, forwarding ancient wisdom into contemporary, evolving complex systems.
When this holarchy of nested
systems is balanced and healthy, the spirit of interconnection and unity
permeates all the subsequent, increasingly complex dimensions emanating out of
its core. Where it is violated or ignored, as in the disjunction between the
natural expression of interconnectedness at the ecological level, and the
rapacious, self-serving violence which our present economic system inflicts on
it, that power of interconnectedness surfaces, erupts – as in climate change
today – to course-correct and restore balance.
This is why the restoration
of the principle of interconnectedness, as the guiding ethos of our culture, is
so crucial for the next stage of our evolution. In this holarchic model,
everyone has their place; there is no hierarchy by which the post-industrial
Northern, Western cultures are taken as the most advanced, the ones to lead the
way (an assumption many from these cultures, however well-meaning, still implicitly
make.) In fact, those cultures that have preserved the ancient wisdom of
interconnection and unity, and how to live in harmony with each other and
nature, should have a central position (as, I believe, should the
interconnective values of the feminine, which have also been so long
repressed.)
At the same time, because we
now need to apply those values to highly complex, global systems, all sectors
and strata of society have an important place in this – the scientists,
ecologists, systems-thinkers, economic visionaries, permaculturalists,
political activists, etc., from North as well as South, combining their skills
in the context of a holistic, integral vision, guided by the core consciousness
of interconnection and unity, to effect this great transition.
What is important is to
gather all these different sectors around this central, holarchic vision of
interconnectedness, by which everyone can see the bigger context of how their
various, respective roles fit together and contribute to the Whole. Each
individual or sector can then focus in on the level of work most suited to
their skills, talents and interests, yet never losing sight of the Whole, and
how the different sectors and roles complement and enrich (rather than
contradict or exclude) each other.
Co-Creative Interconnection in Action
We are all in this together,
but each in our own precious, unique ways. It is through our differences that
we enrich each other. In this way we fulfill our own highest potentials, and
the highest potentials of humanity as a Whole.
Some people fear that
cooperative systems would impose conformity, stripping away our individual
differences and freedoms. In fact, the reverse is so. A truly cooperative,
participatory system brings out our creativity, our unique potentials. Each of
us would have far more power to express who we are than we have now, free from
the manipulation of others and our own perceived self-limitations.
Our highest individual
talents flourish in the context of a wholesome, synergistic interdependence.
The myth of “rugged individualism” – that we can flourish alone, or by
overpowering others – is a sad hoax, which is now coming home to roost. The
truth is we all depend upon, and need to serve, each other. By identifying with
the Whole, we also bring out our own highest creative potentials. Divided, we
are falling. United, we can triumph.
True freedom is the freedom
from the myth of our limited, separate self. We draw our strength and creative
force from the boundless scope of our Wholeness, the creative force of the
Cosmos itself. We are all in this together.
3 -- Global Citizens Movement Towards a Cooperative,
Sustainable Economy and World Participatory Democracy
Our aim, as stated earlier,
is to galvanize a global citizens movement towards a world participatory
democracy and cooperative, sustainable economy, based on the consciousness of
interconnectedness, unity-in-diversity, equitable sharing of resources and
non-violence. Global structures would be developed in line with these universal
principles; at the same time they would ensure the protection of local
resiliency and creativity, assuring that no harm, violence or exploitation
occurs between any one region or sector and another; nor any activities
incurring environmental destruction.
At all scales, local to
global, decisions would be made by
the people, for the people, the Earth
and future generations. It would be based on the understanding that what is
best for the Earth, her interdependent life-forms and future generations, is
also what’s best for us now.
There would be a short,
pointed manifesto stating these aims, and made to go viral on the Internet.
Signatures would be gathered on-line of people demanding this transformation,
declaring themselves citizens of the Earth and global citizens of this emerging
world vision, backed by powerful leaders. There could be a world-wide one-day
strike and other forms of ongoing mass demonstration to bring the movement
visibly to the public attention, as well as to that of the powers-that-be, and
continue to gather momentum and traction, in the real world of action as well
as the virtual one.
Meanwhile, behind the short
manifesto would be a holarchic model (as outlined above) based on the
expression and embodiment of the key principle of interconnectedness at all the
nested levels of our being – spiritual, energetic, psychological, ecological,
economic, socio-political, and planetary/cosmic. People could see where they
fit into this larger picture, and direct their energies, talents and skills to
the sphere that attracts them most, working in co-creative synergy. An
interactive website would map and track the activities in the different areas,
facilitating coordination and collaboration between them. This would also serve
as a developing prototype of a digital platform for world participatory
democracy.
4 -- The Two Biggest Obstacles to Action; And How We
Can Break Through Them
Two barriers we have to
overcome are first, the inertia, apathy and hopelessness that anything can be
changed, the epidemic of “impotence” in the face of entrenched powers; and,
conversely, the fear of any alternative, cooperative economic system being
authoritarian, stripping away our freedoms (which is in fact exactly what the present system is doing!) People have to
understand that a cooperative economy is
an expression of people’s power, unlike the present travesty of democracy,
where decisions are made by ruling corporate elites, who would indeed have us
powerless.
Because our crises are
global, we do need a form a global governance to remedy their causes and ensure
that they do not recur. But this governance need not be dictatorial or
authoritarian – rather, the very point is that it would cooperative and
democratic, under the people’s control, for the benefit of the people and the
natural world we are part of. Systems do not have to be based on top-down power
and control; they can be based on collaborative, co-creative synergy,
“power-with” rather than “power-over”; with basic cooperative values in place,
as well as checks and balances, to ensure that no one dominant group takes
over.
One might ask, but when has
such a system ever existed? And that’s the whole point -- the emergence of such
a system is the next stage of humanity’s evolution. And this is by necessity –
for there’s no other direction to go but down. Crisis demands evolution, a jump
to a whole new order. There are plenty of precedents in the past, of how
necessity has compelled people to take courage in hand and jump into a whole
new future. At such revolutionary turning points, people take power back into
their hands. They set new norms for society, instead of passively submitting to
the ones that have been forced upon them.
Another obstacle that,
ironically, paralyzes many from action is the desire to control, and the
unwillingness to step forward without having the “whole plan” in advance. No
one of course has the whole answer in advance, but by coming together and
sparking in each other new hope and new possibilities, a new evolving future
emerges, greater than the sum of its parts, unleashing potentials we couldn’t
have even imagined. We cannot afford to be afraid of the unknown, but trust
that by stepping forward, step by step, its hidden, implicate order will
unfold. The unknown can actually work to our advantage, if we are open and let
it deliver its gifts.
This means, while we need a
framework in which to work together, we need to always leave space for
creativity and emergence. The model I have offered here is not meant to be
air-tight – it is meant to breathe, at all scales. We warmly invite the
participation of all who resonate with this vision to join us, to contribute
their creative gifts, and help transform our world from one of competition and
conflict to cooperation, connectedness, and the flourishing of the Whole. We
are all in this together.
Kavita Byrd
Sacred
Activists for a Cooperative, Sustainable Economy
Shakti Centre
Global
Contact: kavitaji25@yahoo.com
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