The search for appropriate new forms of politics must begin with a reasonably good knowledge and understanding of contemporary politics and of the current human situation, together with the historical contexts in which they evolved and emerged. That is why the first key texts that I cite are sources of information about politics and the human situation today, but sometimes also refer to history and possible futures. The remaining key texts cover a selection of new political paradigms, including several which are also spiritual.
The many very varied and often very serious human problems of today are so intricately connected that they cannot be solved in isolation. They need to be addressed as a unified whole, taking full account of their complex mutual interactions. They can no longer be solved by politicians and civil servants with conventional expertise, thinking, and ideologies. The human situation needs to be handled by a fully integrated approach, involving people of good will from all walks of life and all parts of the world. New political approaches and policies need to be developed within a framework of a new political paradigm, which will itself be part of the new unified practical philosophy which is beginning to emerge. The process of change, bringing about this new approach, is itself multidimensional and multifaceted. It will need to be based on human transformation, be guided by altruistic spiritual values and philosophies, treat ideologies as complementary rather than irrevocably opposed, work increasingly with networks rather than hierarchies, encourage much wider participation by all citizens who wish to contribute, listen to people's needs and ideas, and give people a proper say in policy making. A true 'unity in diversity' will need to be achieved.
Political paradigms are strongly influenced by paradigms in other fields, such as political science, sociology, psychology, economics, business, biology, medicine, physics, nonlinear mathematics, philosophy, and religion. Some new paradigms formulated by politicians and other writers assume that new politics will evolve from fairly gradual changes in existing democratic systems, others envisage more or less sudden and radical changes in these systems, others again imagine new systems emerging side by side with the old and eventually taking over from them. Network members will be especially introduced in the new thinking about global ethics and new ideas about spiritual politics that have appeared during recent decades, especially during the 1990s. Very encouraging progress has already been made in global ethics. For example, surveys of national and international goals have found that there is a basis for changing gradually from limited short-term goals to long-term goals that are human-centred and win-win. There is already common agreement between leading representatives of many religions and of no religion about some of the constituents of a global ethic. Important strands of thinking about spiritual politics are emerging both from representatives of existing religions and from New Age thinkers.
Alan Mayne is a self-employed author, editor, personal computer specialist and researcher. Latest books: 'Into the 21st Century: A Handbook for a Sustainable Future' (co-author), 'Resources for the Future: An International Annotated Bibliography for the 21st Century' . editor of 'New Paradigms Newsletter'.
Mayne, A. J. (1999) From Politics Past to Politics Future: An Integrated Analysis of Current and Emergent Paradigms. Westport, CT, USA: Praeger. ISBN 0-275-96151-6.
Provides a broad and fairly comprehensive introduction to contemporary and future politics and government, covering politics today, political paradigms, and three possible scenarios for politics in the 21st century. Adopts a holistic approach, so that insights from many different fields of knowledge, schools of thought, and viewpoints are brought together. Due to its extensive indexing, annotated bibliography, and references, this book provides a very useful starting point for readers wishing to explore specific aspects of past, present, and possible future politics in more detail.
Giddens, A. (1999) The Runaway World: How Globalisation is Reshaping Our Lives. London: Profile Books. ISBN 1-86197-207-5.
Discusses global change and its impact on every aspect of the lives of people worldwide, covering globalisation, risk, tradition, family, and democracy. Views the changes as broadly positive, by liberating women, spreading democracy, and creating new wealth. Based on the author's 1999 BBC Reith Lectures.
Smith, P. (6th Ed. 1999) The State of the World Atlas. London: Penguin Books and New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0-14-051446-5.
Provides a visual survey of the political, social, economic, and environmental trends of the world as it enters the 21st century. Aspects of politics covered include political systems, human conflicts, peacekeeping, and human rights. Key indicators for each area are presented as full-colour maps and charts.
Jacobs, M. (1996) The Politics of the Real World. London: Earthscan. ISBN 1-85383-350-9.
A statement of concern by Real World, a coalition of 33 of the UK's leading voluntary and campaigning organisations. Issues discussed include: the environment and sustainability, global poverty, international security, inequality and the quality of life, and the renewal of democracy. Ends by indicating a possible alternative economic model, challenging the indiscriminate pursuit of economic growth, and outlining a vision for the 21st century.
King, A. and Schneider, B. (2nd Ed. 1992) The First Global Revolution: A Report by the Council of the Club of Rome. London & New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-671-71107-5.
A thought-provoking analysis of contemporary world problems, bringing important understanding of the present process of global development. Discusses 'the world problematique', the massive, complex, and intricate mixture of global problems, and 'the world resolutique', the unified, coherent, comprehensive, and simultaneous attack that could be made on many of the problems.
Mulgan, G. (Ed.) (1997) Life After Politics: New Thinking for the Twenty-First Century. London: Fontana Press, ISBN 0-00-638755-1.
A collection of some of the best new political thinking invited by the independent British think-tank Demos. The contributors represent various political viewpoints, and give their new assessments of the present situation and how it should be addressed in many areas of life. Topics covered include: values, learning, work, democracy and governance, business, technology, and the future.
Laszlo, E. (1977) The Goals of Mankind: A Report to the Club of Rome. London: Hutchinson. ISBN 0-09-131301-5.
Presents the results of an international survey of national and international goals which was conducted for the Club of Rome. Surveys current goals and aspirations worldwide, considers what long-term international policies could make the world safer and more humane, and examines how to work together towards these policies. Suggests how to change from goals that are self-centred and short-term to those that are humanity-centred, long-term, and in the interests of all people.
K¨ung, H and Kuschel, K-J (Eds.) (1993) A Global Ethic: The Declaration of the Parliament of the World's Religions. London: SCM Press. ISBN 0-334-02561-3.
Presents the text of the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic, approved by the Parliament of the World's Religions in September 1993. There, representatives of the world's religions and of those with no religion signed a statement of a minimal ethic on which all could agree.
K¨ung, H (Ed.) (2nd Ed. 1996) Yes to a Global Ethic. London: SCM Press. ISBN 0-334-02633-6.
In this book, a remarkable group of over 30 leading international figures, including heads of states and world organisations, religious leaders, scholars, and writers, present their own contributions towards the vision of a global ethic. In this way, they build on the foundations laid by the 1993 Declaration Toward a Global Ethic.
Sacks, J. (1997) The Politics of Hope. London: Jonathan Cape. ISBN .
Argues that liberal democracies face the threats of overinstitutionalised political society and underinstitutionalised civil society. Applying the Jewish religious tradition, suggests how to reconstruct civil society by a 'new' type of politics of responsibility in which families, neighbourhoods, communities, voluntary associations, and religious groups have a full part to play in a politics of involvement. Presents a challenging political vision.
Edwards, D. (1998) The Compassionate Revolution: Radical Politics and Buddhism. Totnes, Devon: Green Books. ISBN 1-870098-70-6.
Western political activists need to recognise the truly revolutionary potential of the Buddhist conviction that compassion is the basis of all happiness. Exploitative social systems can be countered best by rational awareness, rooted in unconditional kindness and compassion for all. Shows how the political arguments of activists can be combined to initiate a compassionate revolution in which the only enemies and casualties are greed, hatred, and ignorance.
McLaughlin, C. and Davidson, G. (1990) Spiritual Politics: Changing the World from the Inside Out. Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Press. ISBN 0-905249-62-3.
Comprehensive guide to contemporary concepts of 'spiritual politics', representing the authors' understanding of the practical application of the Ageless Wisdom tradition to world events. Thus spiritual politics focuses on the next step in the evolution of individuals and groups. The time has come to united politics and spirituality, and to transform the world from the inside out rather than from the outside in.
K¨ung, H. A Global Ethic for Global Politics and Economics. London: SCM Press,1997. ISBN - 0 334 02686 5.
A follow up to his earlier work on the global ethic. A detailed and rigorous examination of current ethical issues in politics and economics. Puts the issues in a historical perspective by showing the tensions between a Realpolitik approach espoused by the likes of Kissinger, Bismarck and Richelieu and an 'ideal politics' advanced by Woodrow Wilson. Ranges over the responsibility of politics, a global ethic in relation to a global society and a global market economy, world peace as a challenge to world religions, an analysis of globalisation, and principles of a business ethic. Outstanding quality of analysis.