World Future Society

Social Innovation Forum

Common Good State:

The Next Phase of Human Societies

by Peter A. Zuckerman

president, Human Progress Network

ABSTRACT: Terrorism and other manifestations of human violence continue throughout our planet. Many of these conditions are caused by underdeveloped countries' negative political, social, economic and environmental conditions. Totalitarian and autocratic governments, combined with powerful military forces cause major diversion of resources from human needs.

Human societies developed from bands to tribes to chiefdoms, finally reaching what may be called the traditional state. But negative social developments resulted in a condition of worldwide political mismanagement. To remedy this situation, we must advance beyond the traditional state to the common good state.

Reaching and implementing the common good state world-wide requires the leadership by the most advanced traditional state, which is the United States of America. The foundations of the new American foreign policy should be the elimination of political mismanagement and the downsizing of the war institution. The purpose of the Grand Moral Strategy of the United States would be the New Human Order, to bring about common good states throughout the world, thereby ensuring continued human progress and survival.

Introduction

The recent terrorist attacks on the United States highlight the new dangers to human progress and survival. The media published many theories concerning the motives and backgrounds of the terrorists. Past manifestations of human violence had their own causes. The genocides of Nazi Germany were based on racism. The mass murders of Stalin and Mao were justified by alleged capitalist exploitation of workers. The terrorists attacking America claimed religious justification for their wicked deeds. But a more realistic explanation is based on the major differences among human societies.

Most of the underdeveloped countries of the world suffer from extreme poverty, ill health, environmental destruction, low quality of life, and a feeling of humiliation when comparing themselves to the developed world. These conditions are exacerbated by the reality that the problems of many countries are not solved -- and are even made worse -- by incompetent and even corrupt governments. The desperate conditions of existence for many in these societies -- as compared to the high standards of living in the advanced countries -- then provide a fertile ground for the terror planners and executers.

The recently published "Freedom in the World 2002: The Democracy Gap" by the Freedom House (a New York-based think tank that monitors political and civil liberties) explains the causes of the negative human conditions. Of the world's population of 6.1 billion, only 41.4% live in "free" societies. Of course, there is a strong relationship between political freedom and economic development. The "partly free" or "not free" countries control the remaining 58.6% of the human populations, or almost 3.6 billion human beings.

Diversion of Resources from Human Needs

Armed with increasingly powerful weapons, military forces rule or dominate much of the world's population. If we count the totalitarian (not free) and authoritarian (partly free) governments, which could not exist without military force, more than half the world's population lives under direct or indirect military rule. But even in democratic countries huge amounts are spent every year on maintaining their military forces and on weapons research and procurement. These expenditures by necessity are diverted from solving or alleviating the many social and economic problems of the world. Totalitarian and authoritarian leaders of their countries find it more useful to maintain large armed forces than to increase the living standards of their oppressed subjects.

This diversion of resources from human needs creates the following negative conditions:

• 1.2 billion people live in absolute poverty
• 1.5 billion lack basic health care and sanitation
• Nearly 1 billion people suffer from malnutrition
• 20% of the world's population is illiterate
• There are 50 million refugees from war and famines
• This is accompanied by much environmental destruction -- deforestation, soil erosion, desertification.

Analyzing and understanding the fundamental causes of the support of terrorism enable us to develop the solution. We have reached a situation where we have to shape our future into the right direction with new social inventions.

As we begin the 21st century, the dangers to human survival multiply. A rapidly growing world population is afflicted in many countries with a harmful way of thinking. An emotional mindset, which is conducive to enmity against different clans, tribes, nations, ethnic groups, religions and others is reinforced by logical inventions of technologies. Thus, authoritarian leadership can use communications and military technologies to gain and stay in power, frequently by waging war against domestic opposition or neighboring countries. Religious fundamentalists are using electronic communications to spread their message of hate. Even in democratic countries some politicians use racial or religious appeals in their election campaigns. This fatal human weakness explains the negative conditions of many societies and nations.

The Development of Human Societies

Physiologist and evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond in Guns, Germs, and Steel provides a basic classification of human societies as evolved from the primitive origin of our species.

"Bands are the tiniest societies, consisting typically of 5 to 80 people, most or all of them close relatives by birth or by marriage. In effect, a band is an extended family or several related extended families." Chimpanzees and gorillas also live in bands, but today human bands exist only in remote parts of New Guinea and Amazonia.

The next stage of human society development is the tribe. The tribe "...differs in being larger (typically comprising hundreds rather than dozens of people) and usually having fixed settlements." Both bands and tribes lack a bureaucracy, police force, and taxes. Their economies are based on reciprocal exchanges between individuals or families, rather than on tribute paid to a central authority.

The subsequent stage of human society development took place in the Fertile Crescent around 5500 B.C., with the emergence of chiefdoms. Chiefdoms were considerably larger than tribes, ranging from several thousand to several tens of thousands of people. The problem of potential internal conflict among thousands of people was solved by the appointment of "one person, the chief, to exercise a monopoly on the right to use force."

The final stage of society development is the modern state. The first states emerged around 3700 B.C. in Mesopotamia, but today they rule all the world's habitable surface. "Central control is more far-reaching, and economic redistribution in the form of taxes is more extensive in states than in chiefdoms. Economic specialization is more extreme." "Internal conflict resolution within states has become increasingly formalized by law, a judiciary and police."

All existing societies now have complex centralized organizations. There are several obvious reasons for this human condition:

• Conflict between unrelated strangers require centralized authorities to monopolize force and resolve conflicts.
• Communal decisions in large societies can only be made by a structured and centralized authority.
• Large societies require a redistributive economy facilitated by a centralized authority.
• Densely populated regions require large and complexly organized societies for proper functioning.

While the development of human societies was strongly facilitated by the creation of centralized states, a negative condition emerged in parallel with these developments:

"Considerations of conflict resolution, decision making, economics and space thus converge in requiring large societies to be centralized. But centralization of power inevitably opens the door -- for those who hold the power, are privy to information, make the decisions, and redistribute the goods -- to exploit the resulting opportunities to reward themselves and their supporters." Taken to an extreme, this condition converts many societies into "complex kleptocracies."

Kleptocracy: A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption.

Kleptocratic governments are very common in authoritative societies. But even in democracies politicians and other powerholders are corrupted by their desire to obtain power and maintain it. Their need to gain and hold office (and power) requires contributions from special interests. These in turn expect and receive favorable legislation, government contracts and other economic and financial benefits. This excessive shifting of resources to the well-to-do ensures that many social and economic problems remain unresolved. In effect, a form of mild kleptocracy comes into existence, based on the human weaknesses of greed and hunger for power. The current Enron scandal disclosed that even the highly democratic political system of the United States can be tainted by this weakness.

Negative Social Developments

While the development of human civilization provided great advances in science, technology and general prosperity, many negative conditions also emerged. As human societies evolved from bands to states, basic human characteristics shared with other primates remained. The many institutions of civilization converted the human savages into intelligent and civilized beings, with ambitions even to extend into space and the exploration of other planets. But frequently the institutions of humankind are controlled by men and women more interested in power and domination than in advancing human survival and progress.

These traits then transform many countries into harmful entities. Centralized decision making leadership facilitates the keeping of power. The establishment of powerful military forces is supported by modern technology able to develop affordable weapons of high killing power. Such institutions as secret police, supported by the military, can easily control populations and suppress dissent. The leadership of political institutions can use ideologies and other motivations to threaten and even attack other states, if motivated by their quest for power.

Thus the emergence of organized warfare paralleled the development of human societies. As societies emerged into chiefdoms and states, more violence-prone males became available for combat. Economic specialization provided the means to support standing armies. The development of increasingly sophisticated tools for killing -- weapons -- made the military forces more decisive. The powerholders of the more powerful states find it rewarding to threaten, attack and even conquer their neighbors. To defend against these threats, even relatively peaceful nations need to maintain armed forces, with the resulting wasteful military expenditures.

Worldwide Political Mismanagement

Both democratic and non-democratic governments suffer from a chronic condition of political mismanagement. This is not surprising in authoritarian regimes. Authoritarian leaders use mass propaganda, brutal repression, control of the media, electronic surveillance, secret police and the military to stay in power. They have no mechanism for the orderly transition of authority -- in fact, the sole purpose of such regimes is to stay in power, regardless of the costs to their unfortunate subjects. The continuous struggle against their own people leaves few resources to improve the economy and society. Thus the world's environmental and social problems continue to worsen, and human development is even regressing in many places. Only in countries where repressive governments are allowing market forces to emerge is there economic and social progress.

Democratic governments are also becoming the victims of political mismanagement. The need to gain office requires an excessive amount of time for non-governing activities, the courting of special interests, fund raising and the like. In some nations -- such as Italy and Japan -- links to organized crime exist. Pork barrel politics and political corruption are encouraged, and ethnic and class divisions are fomented. All this contributes to a gradual withdrawal of the electorate from the governing process, which is very damaging to democracy.

Political mismanagement is intensified by the war institution and militarism. In non-democratic countries the military either controls the government directly, or provides the means for maintaining the powerholders. In democratic countries the military is under civilian control. But in either situation the war institution and the military divert huge resources from their country's social and economic problems.

Advancing Beyond the Traditional State

Jared Diamond's summation of the evolution of human societies discloses the weaknesses of the traditional or conventional state. Powerholders have special access to information, can make decisions and redistribute surplus goods. This centralized leadership and decision making enables them to reward themselves and their supporters at the expense of the general welfare of their societies. Throughout history this was the common characteristics of authoritarian governments. But even the more democratic and open societies can be tainted by this negative potential. The recent examples of "crony capitalism" -- more accurately described as "klepto-capitalism" -- in Malaysia, Indonesia and other Asian countries demonstrate the harm done even by non-authoritarian governments.

To overcome this potentially fatal trend, a new type of state has to emerge. The reinventing and strengthening of institutions to form a civil society will provide the infrastructure of the next development of human societies: the common good state.

Common good: 1. A desirable end for government or public policy, which is good for the whole society.

2. The communal approach to the structuring and operating of a society, to reach an optimum level of economic and moral achievement and satisfaction for its participants.

The Common Good State

The common good state would modify the traditional state's institutions and operations, so that a higher level of civilization would be achieved to ensure continued human survival and progress. The "Traditional State vs. the Common Good State" table summarizes the changes that should be made to the negative characteristics of the traditional state.

Traditional State vs. the Common Good State

Reaching the Common Good State

Obviously the concept of the common good is highly desirable for the continued survival and progress of humankind. However, a major obstacle remains in reaching it. How can people of highly diverse values, opinions and outlooks reach agreement on what is the common good?

Reaching the common good state becomes feasible, because rational procedures can be followed in setting up societal goals, and selecting the best public policy alternatives for implementing these goals for the common good. Our considerable intellectual and information resources will provide the means of accomplishment. Only a logical approach can enable us to identify our problems, their costs and the resources available for solving them, without the conflict that all too frequently accompanies major social or economic problems.

For the first time in human history, it is possible to develop and implement economic, social and public policy decisions designed for the needs of societies. An excellent example is the evolution of the conflicting European countries into the European Union. This process was facilitated by such policies as the Marshall Plan and various unifying institutions, such as the European Common Market.

Implementing the Common Good State

Obviously the common good state, implemented worldwide, is a highly desirable evolution for the human species. But how can such a major change be accomplished?

Exploring the evolution of human societies provides the answer. Our species' social evolution started with bands. Each band occupied a small territory, and was continuously in conflict with other bands. Eventually a powerful band realized that it was more beneficial to absorb a defeated band into their group, instead of killing them. This converted bands into tribes, as other bands realized the benefits of a larger social organization and copied the institution.

As with bands, the tribes continued to struggle with each other for additional territories and resources. Again a successful tribe realized the benefits of uniting with other tribes to form chiefdoms. The success of chiefdoms in expanding their territories caused the other tribes to unite into chiefdoms.

The first government that could be considered the state (or city-state) emerged in Mesopotamia. The Sumerian chiefdom, using the resources of irrigated agriculture, was able to absorb other chiefdoms, and developed such social inventions as bureaucracy, priesthood, law, writing, factories and armies -- all the attributes of the traditional state. To survive, other chiefdoms then gradually formed states. While much violence resulted from the interactions of states, they also facilitated the emergence of modern civilization.

The above examples suggest that the evolution of the common good state will follow the same model. The most successful traditional state, realizing the need for human survival and progress, will initiate the first common good state. The benefits of the new form of society will be so obvious that eventually all the failing traditional states will find it necessary to convert to common good states. Of course, the first common good state will find it useful to assist the other states to reach this desirable condition.

World Leadership for the Common Good State

With all its imperfections, the United States is still the most successful of the traditional states. As the remaining superpower, America has all the resources needed for world leadership.

World leadership is based on three major power factors: economic power, military power and moral power. The foreign policy of the United States currently neglects the importance of moral power. Yet the values of America, reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, the Four Freedoms, the Atlantic Charter -- and continued adherence to them -- provide an irresistible appeal to the repressed people of the world. The moral principles of America are actualized by its democratic institutions, the influence of organized religion and a tradition of tolerance and acceptance of cultural diversity.

The European Union and Japan are economic superpowers comparable to the United States. Russia remains -- because of its nuclear capabilities -- a military superpower. But only the United States has all three components of world leadership, including the all important moral leadership factor:

1. After World War II the United States provided the Marshall Plan for the rebuilding of Europe and made non-vindictive peace treaties with the vanquished.

2. American history also provides successful models of major social change: the abolition of slavery; the New Deal, the improving status of women and minorities. In the past, periods of spiritual and moral revival -- Great Awakenings -- gave birth to extensive social reform and renewal.

3. The influence of organized religion remains strong. Many state churches of Europe became discredited because of their condoning two world wars, their acquiescence to the Nazi persecution of Jews, and their support of imperialism and colonialism. In contrast, the Christian denominations of America generally upheld their values and retained their moral influence. The religious organizations of other faiths are also strongly supportive of moral causes.

4. The multiracial, multi-ethnic society and institutions of the United States can serve as models to the world, notwithstanding the remaining practices of racism and discrimination.

The unique combination of economic, military and moral potential make the United States a hyperpower, uniquely qualified to lead the world in the 21st century.

During the Cold War the superpower nuclear arsenals could have destroyed the world. Now the principal threat to human survival is the harmful impact of political mismanagement and a bloated war institution. The United States has both the capability and the moral imperative to eliminate these two dangers. Still, America cannot serve as the world's policeman -- it is simply not affordable, and does not fit the value structure of the nation. Instead, the United States must become the Tribune of Humanity -- defender of democracy, protector of human rights, advocate of economic and social justice, liberator of the oppressed (especially women, children and minorities). This is the role uniquely suited to a hyperpower. This world leadership role also will regenerate America and help solve its economic, social and environmental problems.

Foundations of the New American Foreign Policy

The United States is faced with a formidable task. The nation not only has to resolve its own problems but also has to exercise world leadership. The only reason such a major mission can be undertaken is because, for the first time in human history, all the key components are in place.

First and foremost, a global consciousness is emerging. The dramatic developments in communications technologies finally are opening up even the most closed societies. The best exertions of totalitarian or authoritarian societies cannot keep information and awareness of the world away from their people.

Science and technology can satisfy the economic, health, educational and other needs of humanity, if only governments and powerholders will let these developments happen.

We have also reached a condition when most of the world's problems, and the prevention of their resolution, can be traced to the true causes. The elimination of political mismanagement and the downsizing of the war institution is becoming feasible. The tremendous financial savings from reduced military expenditures could be applied to the alleviation of America's national problems and the strengthening of its economy. The national budget could balanced with only moderate new taxes. Productivity would be bolstered through increased investments, a better-educated labor force, and the transfer of scientists and engineers from the defense industry to innovation in manufacturing and development of new products. With the assistance of America's allies, the resources would be available to address the other issues of human survival. Human needs could be met by transferring military expenditures to economic development, education, health improvement and other deficiencies of less developed countries. Cutting down the flow of weapons to non-democratic regimes also would speed up the worldwide trend toward democratization and civil societies. Finally, by eliminating mistrust among countries the massive cooperative efforts needed to restore the global environment could be undertaken.

The Grand Moral Strategy of the United States

Once it is realized that America's foreign policy -- and its domestic policies mutually supporting each other -- must be based on the elimination of political mismanagement and the downsizing of the war institution, the democratic political processes can take over. The United States must solve its internal problems to maintain the capacity of moral leadership and serve as an example and model to the rest of the world.The economic and social problems of America are readily identifiable, and rational programs to deal with them can be developed.

A cohesive set of programs and policies addressing America's national and the world's problems should be assembled, to become a coherent, consistent, long-term national program of economic buildup, social reform and moral revival. The part of this program that would address America's relationship to the rest of the world is the U.S. Grand Moral Strategy. The objectives and goals would be the following:

• With the help of allies, provide moral and economic support to the efforts of other countries toward democratization, human rights and civil societies. As the full democratic process takes place, actions can be taken to reduce political mismanagement by reforming governments.
• Gradually, and eventually, totally abolish weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, biological and chemical. Reduce conventional armaments and downsize the military institutions worldwide. New, non-violent social inventions and institutions would be phased in, to resolve the inevitable conflicts arising out of the human condition.
• Cut military budgets, and transfer resources to the solving/reducing of America's economic and social problems.
• Provide American leadership (and, with its allies, economic resources) in alleviating world economic, social and environmental problems.

The Grand Moral Strategy will replace the present aimless drifting of the United State's foreign policy. The Grand Moral Strategy will gradually reduce the infrastructure of terrorism and other manifestations of the resentments directed at the developed societies.

The grand strategy of America's foreign affairs will be conducted as the New Human Order, to replace the failures of the traditional states. Existing policies of promoting human rights, democratization and civil societies will be intensified and pursued vigorously. Worldwide military downsizing will achieve substantial multilateral disarmament, including the elimination of the most dangerous weapons systems. Resources will be transferred to the meeting of human needs, including the alleviation of social and environmental problems. Economic development under market economies will be fostered. Simultaneous efforts will be made to promote the freeing of oppressed minorities, while reducing the levels of ethnic and religious violence. The ultimate goal of the New Human Order would be the bringing about common good states throughout the world, thereby ensuring continued human progress and survival.

About the Author

Peter A. Zuckerman is a consultant specializing in developing and promoting innovative educational programs for business and government. He has extensive experience in information systems development, knowledge utilization and management. He became one of the founders and long-term secretary-treasurer of the World Future Society. Zuckerman also serves as the president of the Human Progress Network (HPN), a non-profit educational organization dedicated to world peace, and human progress and survival. The activities of organization included research about national and world problems, and networking with other organizations involved with improving the human condition. The focus of the organization currently is the worldwide correction of political mismanagement and the downsizing of the military institution, so that well-functioning civil societies can develop. Zuckerman received an MBA from UCLA in 1959. E-mail: pazpax@earthlink.net.