When I first started putting this blog together, I felt it was important to establish some solid content from a range of different writers, in the hope of generating some dialogue on issues of great importance.
There have been some interesting comments, some strongly worded clarifications of misinformation and/or differences of opinion. This, I believe, is a healthy contribution to the debate on where we are headed as a species. As a PhD in Sociology, I have some very strong views on these issues as well as a broad historical view that I bring to the debate.
I would like to introduce a new series of articles to "The Zeitgeist is Changing" and I challenge you, the reader, to engage in the debate! I aim to be provocative, controversial and informative and to write in a way that engages everyone, not only academics. Below, you will find Part One of the series entitled: "Environmental and Social Change - What is the Zeitgeist?" I urge people of all beliefs and all backgrounds to engage and enjoy in an open and honest manner, challenging ideas and presenting alternative ways of thinking about the present and the future.
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Let me begin by discussing the question, "What is the current Zeitgeist?"
We, in the western world, live in a social system which is dominated by a conservative economic and social agenda. This has been the case for about the last 30 to 35 years. This is our current Zeitgeist, an underlying philosophy and discourse that is dominated by big business interests, and governments that seek to line the pockets of big business. In this worldview, there is no room for environmental protection, no room for community, no room for collectivist ways of organisation such as co-ops, bartering systems, and so on.
And yet, the power of the elites is in collective organisation. Take the organisation of government. Essentially democratic government is about elected members of parliament coming together collectively in the House and making decisions for the electorate based upon collective deliberations through political parties. Another example is the inevitable practice of large corporations banding together to form cartels. OPEC is a perfect example of this practice, an organisation that collectively sets oil prices.
So, what is going on here? The elites are constantly talking down anything that even hints at collectivist organisation, and yet they practice it themselves. Let me give you an example that may clarify this contradiction, and lead to a better understanding of the current Zeitgeist.
The United States is constantly coercing most countries to lower trade tariffs and subsidies in order to free up the market and thereby to enhance trade. Some of the smallest and most vulnerable economies on earth are constantly cajoled into joining up to the 'free market bandwagon'. And if these countries are in debt, then they are virtually forced by the IMF and World Bank to pay off their debts through 'freeing' up their economies and engaging in free market trade. Many of these countries are forced to eradicate their natural crops, replacing them with cash crops to be traded internationally. This is not to the benefit of these countries, many of which become unable to feed their own populations, except through expensive imports, which puts them even further into debt. Ironically, the United States remains as the world's largest debtor nation, by far!
Ultimately, to constantly push the world towards free market globalised capitalism only benefits big business interests and the most powerful nation on earth, the United States. There is no pressure on the United States to pay off their debt. In fact, US debt has spiralled totally out-of-control since the advent of the current neo-liberal and neo-conservative era. Expensive wars, expensive energy and environmental degradation have taken their toll on the United States as well as the rest of the 'developed' world. This is the current Zeitgeist and the question to be answered is: Are we on the verge of a new era? A new way of thinking and living?
What do you think? Do you agree with the preceding analysis?
Let us debate these critical issues and make some plans for a sustainable future. I welcome your comments.
Here are some recent links that can help to clarify the issues or to muddy the waters. Take your pick!
Happy reading and commenting!
Dr Robert Muller.
Robert has a PhD in Sociology with an interest in environmentalism, social change, public health, and community resilience as well as the history of the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
http://thezeitgeistischanging.blogspot.com/
http://psychedelichippiemusic.blogspot.com/
http://psychedelichippiefashion.blogspot.com/
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