Achieving a Livable, Peaceful World
Part II - Introduction
Copyright 1999 by Richard K. Moore Part II - Envisioning a livable world: an inquiry into democracy, sustainability, and world order Introduction - Is there any hope for humanity? Part I examined the path on which the world is currently headed under the control of the well-entrenched, Western capitalist elite oligarchy. Societies and economies are being systematically and intentionally destroyed by free trade polices and by interventions of the IMF. A global economy is being imposed on the world which is rapidly being dominated by a handful of TNC megacorps. A de facto world government has been established which serves TNC interests, has no democratic representation whatever, and which is backed by Western military power. The Earth is being poisoned and its irreplaceable resources are being squandered in the pursuit of never-ending capital growth. Poverty, starvation, and disease are becoming rampant worldwide while a global regime of KulturKampf is being established to maintain world order in the midst of ongoing tension and strife. As the mass-media is being concentrated into the hands of a few global conglomerates, populations are being fed a steady diet of disinformation, escapist entertainment, and neoliberal propaganda. As Western societies are being dismantled and refashioned in the mold of the Third-World, police-state regimes are being established to contain popular unrest. Factionalism and fundamentalist ideologies are being systematically promulgated worldwide so that groups and nations will struggle against one another rather than uniting in opposition to the global capitalist regime. As the Earth's fragile ecosystems are being pushed to the breaking point, the world is faced with the very real possibility of the total breakdown of civilization and the massive die-off of populations. Alternatively, if the capitalist oligarchy decides to change course and cease the pursuit of unmaintainable economic growth, the world faces a bleak future enslaved under the thumb of global tyranny. Is there any hope for humanity? Can capitalist domination be overcome? Is it too late to change course, restore our environment, and establish livable societies? No one can answer these questions with certainty, but we, the world's people, must make the effort to save ourselves and the Earth. If we fail to do so we are betraying everything decent in humanity's heritage and we are condemning our progeny to either death or subservience. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by standing up for ourselves and courageously challenging our oppressors. Part III of this book will examine the history of social movements, and of revolutions, and will endeavor to outline a practical strategy for non-violent, global, democratic revolution. In Part II, we will develop the goals of such a revolution -- we will investigate the nature of livable, sustainable societies. A livable society is a society in which people are happy to live -- a society in which people are reasonably well off and in which they feel in control of their lives and destinies. A sustainable society is one that is not living beyond its means, where resources are not being used up faster than they can be replaced. Livable societies are the birthright of men and women everywhere; sustainability is the means by which livable societies can be passed on to our children. Go on to Chapter 4 Return to Table of Contents |