Exploring the framework for a “Balanced Development” model
Ramses
Rashidi
©2008
Center for Balanced Development (www.cbdus.org)
The Social Evolution
When we look at the development trends throughout history we see a very
interesting phenomenon. At certain points in time, about every thousand years or
so, there is a great surge of knowledge, discoveries, ideas and advancement in
human civilization. These great-leap-forward milestones usually invigorate and
stimulate economic activities and start a major shift in the lives of people and
the way human beings relate to each other and their environment.
Examples of this kind of historical milestone include; the creation of the
family, the formation of the tribal unit, the emergence of the city-state, the
establishment of nationhood and as a natural progression, the process of the
globalization which we are experiencing now.
This change in the way the civilization functions takes place gradually and over
a long period of time. It reaches its summit of glory and the golden years of
its effulgence followed by a period of slow decline which signals the need for
renewal in thoughts, commitment to expansion of relations and new ways of doing
things.
Doesn’t this process remind you of how the world of nature operates?
Individual and Society
In this process of development and advancement of civilization a very important
concept seem to occupy man’s thinking – freedom and the ability of the
individual to choose. Freedom has been the subject of great many debates and
millions of lives have been lost in wars and conflicts that have sought to
achieve it. Meanwhile some have placed great emphasis on the importance of
society and social responsibility. Major ideological platforms and theories have
been based on the choice between individual’s freedom versus social welfare.
Capitalism and socialism have emerged as two distinct schools of thoughts; each
highly focused on a specific platform of operation and economic activities. Many
nations are still trying to stay true to one or the other. The dilemma of
choosing between capitalism and socialism has changed the course of history and
the way human beings view the process of growth and maturation.
Here the question is; why is it necessary to make a choice between these two
theories? It’s like offering someone a choice between apples and oranges.
Obviously one can respond in a variety of ways and depending on one’s creativity
and understanding there could be a whole range of solutions from “none of the
above” to a fruit salad or adding other ingredients. To site a solution in
progress would be China’s Socialist Market Economy.
Absolute vs. Relative Thoughts
The idea of “absolute thinking” or seeing things as good or bad, black or white,
capitalist or communist or as some would put it as “highly defined” concepts has
placed itself at the core of modern development philosophy with great global
appeal since the success of many nations seem to ride on this premise. At first
glance this seems to be a wonderful idea which makes life easier in the age of
complex technologies and unlimited choices that are before us. However, a deeper
reflection reveals the emphasis on the role of individuals in this
decision-making process and how individualism sits at the center of this
concept. In contrast, “relative thoughts” and thinking in terms of relations,
which is the foundation of many ancient cultures, places the emphasis on being
sensitive to others and ethical behavior. Relative thoughts sees good in bad and
vice versa. In the Yin and Yang model, there is a white spot in the black half
and a black spot in the white. The idea is to constantly evolve into a
relationship much in the same way that a successful marriage works. It would
seem that our need for social harmony in this chaotic period would call for this
school of thought to become the dominant mode of planning and development
practices. However, in reality the individual motivated by self-interest reigns
supreme in causing movement in today’s global economy. As a result of this
fragmented approach the global body of humanity has become further torn apart as
individuals pull in different directions and as the strain of the
over-utilization of our natural resources reaches catastrophic proportions.
Trial and Error
Certainly, the chaotic nature of development in the modern times, as observed
from different perspectives, confirms the trial and error nature of our
exploration and application of knowledge. Definitely, the guidance and warnings
of the great visionaries of our times to focus on unity have gone unheeded. In
our entrepreneurial and individualistic spirit, we move down a path at breakneck
speed until we see something terribly wrong is taking place where we are facing
a great health hazard, a public safety issue or the well-being of the
environment is at stake. Even then we justify our action and try to come up with
or engage another technology that would address the symptoms. Unfortunately
oftentimes the damage is irreversible. Here it’s proper to note that the goal of
these series of articles which is to reflect on the effects of economic
development on human relations and social balance has not even begun. We are so
entrenched in certain patterns of industrial development that even when the grim
side-effects of our own doing can be clearly demonstrated, it’s almost
impossible to divert or stop the process as it would mean the bankruptcy of the
establishment.
Global implications of development trends
On the global level, we are challenged by moral dilemmas in our attempts to
reach higher levels of prosperity and further development of the already highly
“developed” areas while we observe a good portion of the people of our planet
struggle to have access to basic needs such as; clean water, proper shelter or
even enough to eat. The idea of
investment saturation of the “hot business spots” is a natural element of the
“supply and demand” model. However by following that path, we are risking
increasing levels of pollution and over-population of these centers of economic
activities. This trend also attracts human resources from the rural areas who
come to the “big city” in search of work and prosperity and oftentimes live in
sub-standard conditions of the “ghettos” in these major metropolitan areas.
There are a number of issues to reflect on in the modern development practices
that have been adopted by majority of countries around the planet. There is much
to talk about and consult on how we can develop a vision of balance in the
global economy. Meanwhile the disparity continues as we fail to realize that the
global body of humanity is intimately connected and what happens to one cell is
transmitted to all.
In the next article we will examine economic models that have emerged as a
result of new technologies and advancement in the field of science.
Ramses
Rashidi (ramses@cbdus.org)
is the founder and director of Center for Balanced Development.
The
center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and
services that foster global balance in social, personal, ecological and economic
development.