A preview of the unpublished book A CIVILIZATION WITHOUT A VISION WILL PERISH: AN INDEPENDENT SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH by David Willis. CHAPTER 1: INDIFFERENCE (Part 29). This blog is a continuation of the review of The Inner Limits of Mankind by Ervin Laszlo, written in 1989.
Rocked by the impact of sudden wealth
The countries of the Middle East were rocked by the impact of sudden wealth. Enormous oil-incomes among these traditionally austere people has created gaps and inequalities, and disrupted the Islamic patterns of life. A few small countries, with populations totaling not more than 3% of the region, earn almost half of the total oil revenues. The region as a whole is in the grip of a desperate attempt to modernize and become economically competitive with the advanced nations before the oil-income runs out. Policies that spur overall economic growth dominate all other objectives.
Problems posed by population
India is permanently occupied in coping with the immense problems posed by a population that is already over 800 million and will in all probability grow to one billion by the turn of the century. It is a country that is extremely poor and is likely to remain so. Increasing the efficiency and productivity of the agriculture sector, moderating the gap between city and countryside, coping with high fertility and high mortality, reducing the 70% rate of illiteracy, and putting to use the relatively evolved scientific-technological expertise of educated Indians – these are the main goals and preoccupations of the leadership.
The nations of South-East Asia
The nations of South-East Asia, except for the few communist states, are unanimous in wanting to spur rapid Western-style economic development. Most leaders feel that pollution, alienation, urban violence, and similar side-effects of Western-style development are problems that will not become serious for their countries until well after concrete benefits of development have been assured. Rapid economic growth is, they believe, the way to achieve national autonomy and self-sufficiency. National unity and solidarity is difficult to come by since the frontiers are arbitrary inheritances of colonial times and are criss-crossed by more enduring racial and religious ties. The broad rural masses of Southeast Asia show little concern with national, regional and world issues beyond the pale of their immediate welfare.
The potentials of societal self-renewal
The above does not present an encouraging picture. Yet the picture would have been much less encouraging even two decades ago. We should not underrate the potentials of societal self-renewal. But we should also not trust it to occur automatically, for we have a long way to grow. Inner limits are undoubtedly here today, but whether they are here to stay is up to us: every one of us, in every corner of the world.