- the Key to the 21st Century
by
Alan Tonkin
3 January 2008
Alan Tonkin was Chairman of the Global Values Network Group whose www.globalvaluesnetwork.com
web site was one of the most advanced in the world at using Spiral Dynamics to monitor
shifts in societies and assess impacts at both national, international and even global
levels.
Alan generously allowed this piece, written for the GVN site, to be published here.
As we enter 2008 with all its challenges and opportunities it is appropriate to consider
the global situation and in particular the developed worlds obsession with the spreading
of Western style constitutional democracy on a global scale.
In considering the above statement,it is important to note that in the case of Europe
and the USA this process has been a long journey over centuries, going back to the
Middle Ages. What is now being demanded of many developing countries is that they
move rapidly in values terms from tribal societies as in the case of Iraq, Afghanistan
and Pakistan to constitutional democracies overnight in historical terms.
The recent situation in Pakistan is particularly interesting as there is much talk
by leaders there of democracy. However, with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto,
unlike in a Western democracy, her son was almost immediately announced as her chosen
successor as Chairman of the party with her husband as Co-Chairman. This would be
unacceptable in a 'normal' democracy and indicates a very different set of values
being 'Tribe and Power' being present in that country.
In Iraq and Afghanistan the military are now encouraging 'local militias' to protect
their own areas. This has proved to be a successful tactic but with the withdrawal
of the military will these same militias become major barriers to securing the role
of the central government in the future as an overall strategy?
In South Africa, following the recent ANC Conference held recently, the clear split
between Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma clearly came down to values differences. President
Mbeki largely supports a strong economic and monetary policy and is seen as an 'economic
intellectual' largely divorced from the people, while Zuma is a 'man of the people'
who is supported by the rural and urban masses and trades unions.
What
Needs to be Done?
In order to more fully understand our 'Global Village' it is important
to realise that different societies are at different places in terms of development.
This not only applies to economic development which is self evident but also “values
development” which is in all probability more important and more difficult to see
and understand.
What is clear from the above is that many people “talk the talk” of democracy but
due to where they are on the values curve they are unable to 'walk the walk'. As
long as the developed democracies fail to grasp why this is so, they will continue
to fail to influence long term meaningful change in the developing world.
Certain sectors of the international press are however, starting to realise that
economic development and democracy go hand in hand. However, it is the type of democracy
that is employed that is critical, as being in the wrong gear on the development
and values curve can lead to economic and political disaster.
A good example is China where development with a certain amount of freedom is tolerated.
This is similar to the early years in Singapore under Lee Kwan Yu who developed the
Singapore economy while holding back on other freedoms. The influence being exerted
by Vladimir Putin on Russia is also another example of this.
Some
Graphic Examples
In considering the graphic below it is clear on the bottom axis the
progress made in Europe over the last 300 years. Equally, the current situation very
clearly shows the wide spread of values exhibited across the globe in the top curve.
The global position very clearly shows two peaks with the first being the developing
countries centred in the Tribal PURPLE/Power RED/Blue ORDER areas. The second peak
is the one formed by the developed population around the world in theBLUE Order/ORANGE
Enterprise/GREEN Environmental sectors. At this stage the UN is dominated numerically
by the former section with over 50% in this area but the future focus of the organisation
needs to be on the second developed sector.
Some
Conclusions
In considering the above it is important that a number of issues are kept in mind.
These are as follows:-
- The leaders and governments of the 'developed world' need to learn and better understand
what is required for the developing countries
to move forward and progress. How often
does one hear the view from the developing world that the 'developed nations' do
not really
understand the issues we face on a daily basis (with our multi - values
population mix).
- Clear “guidelines” need to be implemented regarding the granting of global aid and
how this money is being used. Accountability is
the key here as without this the ''funding'
is not utilised correctly. This equally applies to the 'Aid Industry' or NGO's.
- Without open and transparent accountability from recipient nations, funding needs
to be restricted. This is particularly difficult when
China is seeking new markets
as well as raw materials. However, this needs to be vigorously persued by the developed
nations if real
movement is to be achieved.
- Developing nations who wish to follow a path of rapid economic growth should be encouraged
to do so by the use of incentives and
the opening up of markets to their goods at
very preferential rates. A 'Marshall Plan' type approach should be used using a 'global
development
fund'.
- Technology transfer is also a particularly effective way of ensuring that developing
nations are able to 'leapfrog' outdated technologies
and move on immediately to cost
effective ways of moving their economies forward.
- Broad education reform at all levels should be a global priority with technology
including the internet being widely used to bring global
experts with the 'appropriate
values into communities and their places of learning.
There are other areas that need to be addressed but the above provide some do-able
solutions to a number of key global issues. Equally, using values as the template
for global action provides a model for other related actions in other areas.
