0.1.7 What issues Do We Need to Address

Version 1.8 August 2017                               Previous Version

Section 0.1.6 lists many reasonable questions, but we as a species face some really critical issues.  These pages are our humble contribution towards addressing these issues.

1.    On a global level, human society is facing a number of threats:

§      The increasing global population, and rising global middle class, is increasing our consumption of natural resources and the production of waste and pollution, and already over stretches the Earth’s capacity to absorb the impact.

§      Climate change will affect all nations - and all of life - and could be catastrophic.

§      Nuclear proliferation and other weapons of mass destruction are an increasing risk.

§      Conventional wars, civil wars, failed states and famines are major local disasters.

§      The so called ‘clash of civilisations’ or major power rivalry may also cause wars.

§      Enforcing political power by military might risks becoming widespread destruction.

§      The risk of global, untreatable epidemics is increased by widespread misuse of antibiotics.

§      Our internationally integrated financial system is continually at risk of crashing.

§      Large regions of extreme poverty may get even worse, despite more general affluence.

§      Increasing automation is leading to a loss of jobs and risks increasing inequality.

§      Peak oil is here or will be soon, requiring a dramatic re-organisation of our economy.

§      Religious fundamentalism is prevalent and is used to justify violence and terrorism, gender inequality, abuse of women and children and repressing natural human urges.

§      The abuse of state power by security services and secret police is a risk to humanity.

2.    On a global level, society’s ability to address these threats is compromised:

§      Our global decision making is being hijacked by outdated political structures.

§      The lack of consensus on global beliefs makes changing these structures more difficult.

§      International bodies, such as the United Nations, are remote collections of nation states.

§      Nation states frequently vote at such bodies to promote their own national interests.

§      Few nations are willing to sacrifice a short term gain for a long term global benefit.

§      There is widespread indifference and apathy in many nations to foreign policy.

§      Many global bodies are dominated by the West and the winners of World War II.

§      Global corporations and international trade in various ways subvert and bypass national and international controls, reducing our ability to make global decisions.

3.     On a national level, even democratic societies don’t take the required action:

§      The democratic process is under threat from misleading propaganda from big business (eg mining, pharmaceuticals and armaments) and powerful vested interests (eg farmers, workers unions, small business and religious groups).

§      Even elected governments are loath to make what are known to be correct decisions, out of fear of antagonising these and other influential minorities (such as the National Rifle Association in the USA, with up to 5 million members, spending $US250 million per year).

§      Elected governments have been loath to raise taxes on the wealthy, or to control multinational corporations, because of the threat of internationally mobile capital.

§      Elected governments have been loath to raise any taxes, control access to state welfare or reduce subsidies to inefficient (often big) businesses, for fear of loss of electoral support.

§      Many governments support irrational religious beliefs too much, leading to bad policy.

§      Many voters put their own self-interest ahead of the national interest or global issues.

§      Many voters focus on identity politics and group membership rather than wider social issues.

§      Democratic leadership is difficult, because voters are confused, or unaware of the issues.

§      Non-democratic countries (such as China) can potentially be decisive but are at greater risk of favouring the rulers’ vested interests, and at risk of imploding in revolt.

§      Many other states are simply ineffective, corrupt, or total failures.

 

4.    On a personal level, aware and informed people don’t know how to respond:

§      Many are confused by a mix of cultural relativism and post-colonial anger or guilt.

§      Many are confused by the rapid change in science and technology.

§      Many are entrenched in parochial views, their perspectives limited in time and space.

§      Many are restricted by religious doctrines or allegiances which conflict with reason.

§      Many non-religious people are too accommodating of irrational religious beliefs.

§      Many non-religious people are also too irrationally intolerant of traditional religious beliefs.

§      Many people are unwilling to re-examine cherished beliefs despite the apparent need.

§      Many are unsure about sexual morality, family and business ethics and values.

§      Many feel a strong need to belong to some group, and this clouds their judgements.

§      Many are turning to drugs or other risky behaviour to escape their sense of alienation.

§      Many flounder in local, state or national politics knowingly avoiding these big issues.

§      Many escape into fantasy worlds in literature, art, movies, computer games or travel.

§      Many despair and just don't know what to do.

 

What underlying beliefs and values should inform our analysis of such issues and guide our decision making processes regarding the appropriate, compassionate response? 

How should we arrive at such beliefs and values? 

What processes are most likely to find the truth? On what basis can an individual act in the world, on a global, national and personal level? 

These pages are about beliefs and values: what should we do and how do we decide?

As individuals and as a society – as the whole human race – we need to take action in the world and we should base this on the best knowledge and understanding we can achieve.

Global Beliefs and Values addresses all these issues. 

(To preview an outline of how we can address these issues, see section 8.0.6 for personal responses to these issues and 8.0.7 for political responses, but more details of our actionable value choices are covered in Part 6 – Personal Practice and Part 7 – Political Action.)