Since the birth of centralized agriculture, the wealthy have used their advantages to benefit themselves, their friends, and their families at the expense of others. This quest for wealth and power has been the driving force in every society.
Like any system, our global social system consists of inter-dependent elements that work together to serve a particular function – that is, to enable those with wealth and power to increase their wealth and power.
Its key elements include: the government, the economy, mainstream media, and education; informal institutions such as the family; our culture; and ourselves as individuals, who reinforce the system.
Individuals and groups have to be accountable for their actions, but no one element controls the system, which is self-perpetuating and for which we are all responsible.
Without opposing public pressure, society becomes increasingly top-heavy, unstable, and undemocratic. The culture becomes more materialistic, dehumanized, and authoritarian, and individuals become more goal-oriented, competitive, and selfish.
Goals
To create a new society, we need to establish that humanity’s primary mission is to serve the human family. If we balance self-interest and community needs, and protect the planet, we can take care of ourselves and our families as well as our nation and the global community. Self-empowerment fosters community empowerment.
With a deep, clear commitment to evolutionary revolution, we can steadily transform society with reforms that improve living conditions.
Means
Because life is mysterious, wonderful, and awe-inspiring, human beings cherish beauty, spread joy, love others as they love themselves, and foster strong communities that nurture personal development, caring relationships, and healthy families.
Gandhi’s three-fold path -- nurturing personal development; creating model communities based on mutual support; and engaging in political action -- enables us to move forward with compassion.
- By engaging in ongoing personal development, we can undo our negative conditioning. We can, for example, become less arrogant, self-centered, competitive, judgmental, and dominating (or submissive).
- By building model communities, we can demonstrate the kind of society we seek and grow joyous communities that attract others.
- By undertaking political campaigns focused on achievable objectives and win-win solutions rooted in the quest for reconciliation through negotiation, we can build momentum by improving public policy.
These efforts reinforce one another. If we integrate the personal, the social, and the political, we can strengthen each effort. By becoming better human beings, we better serve others and our environment. Strong communities nurture strong individuals and provide a foundation for effective political action. Effective political action enhances personal strength and builds social infrastructure.
If we act from love, honor our values, match our means with our goals, and support each other's personal growth, we can move toward holistic, fundamental transformation. With teamwork, participatory democracy, and collective wisdom, we can create a better world that will stand the test of time.
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