Envisioning a Better World #2

Exerpt from – Creating a better world – PART 1:  An optimist’s view?  Perhaps, but clearly there have been many before me who believed that something better was possible, something ideal, something even utopian.  So, let’s take a look at the concept of utopia, how it began, how it has evolved, and the important role it can play as we pursue a better world for all.

Envisioning a better world today

In writing Utopia (pub 1516), Thomas More gets the credit for creating the adjective derived from two Greek words. He clearly believed in a better world, although one could question whether More believed it was truly possible. More, of course, was not the first to consider such a Utopia since we can also look to Plato and his Republic as his concept of an ideal society. 

And more recently we have the Delors report referred to in my Part 1 blog where he calls for the “necessary Utopia.”   Hence, utopian thinking is not new. Man has always dreamed and hoped for something better, and as shown we have the collective will to try, again and again.

But still we fall short, and millions continue to suffer, and as the population has grown, millions have become billions so again, we ask why? Is it because we can’t agree on what utopia really is? Is it because we are not putting in enough resources? Or, is it because we really don’t believe it can happen?   To the first question, there are probably many differing opinions on this. To the second, there is no question more needs to be invested, and to the third, I suspect there is an underlying cynicism that exists in the world. This last one is what must change first.

We need to cultivate a greater confidence in the possibility of reaching utopia to make it a reality. Utopian thinking has the great benefit in that it gives us a vision of what is possible. Call organizations like UNESCO and those that lead them idealists or even dreamers. It is the desire for a “necessary Utopia” that drives them forward. But this is not enough. We need a broader and deeper commitment from society overall. We need an unwavering pledge to the possibilities first before we can make them a reality.  Furthermore, we need to think of utopia as a means not an end, because it is our nature to think of something better once we reach it.  

Those that define utopia as perfection miss the point of philosophers like Plato and More who knew that their utopia would come with its own imperfections, most likely quite substantial. We are after all only human. However, as humans we have a will and this writing proposes that we cultivate and harness that will at all levels, across all cultures, at every age, and the way we can do this is through education.

Let’s start with age first beginning with our younger children. Our future is with them, and no better than during those formative years is it time to form an optimistic view of the future and the belief that it is possible. Enough with dystopia that is so prevalent in movies and books targeted at our youth. After our younger children, those in higher education will be the next in line to be leaders in society. Cultivating a positive outlook grounded in realism, and then educating on the potentials and possibilities should be a driving force at every institute of Higher Education. These young people hold the here and now in terms of leadership.  For adults, corporations can play a large role encouraging further education of their employees while focusing on the positive impact their organization can have, and the role each employee can play regardless of level or title.

Creating a better world will benefit all people

This needs to occur on a global basis, and there is no question we can reach common ground. If anything, the efforts by UNESCO and its many partners, along with those at the World Bank and organizations like Global Partners in Education show a willingness for global cooperation, but these efforts need to be broader and deeper. The prosperity of humanity will benefit all. Finally, this cannot be driven at the highest levels only, nor can it be a predominantly grassroots initiative. The two must be united in having a common purpose and share the responsibility of moving us toward a better world. Impossible? Why? With a plan, leadership, and a shared commitment that we together can create a better world; it is more than possible.  

A grander vision for mankind is not new, but there has never been a more opportune and needed moment in history to act on this vision than now. It will take leadership at the highest levels to come together and place humankind first. It has happened before where great individuals came together and despite their differences knew that there was something much larger at stake.  Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, and Madison each great individuals in their own right, with their own aspirations, disagreed on many things.  However, they were in full agreement on one thing, that democracy had to be given the chance to work, and if it did, we would take a major leap in our humanity.

“Whether the New Constitution, if adopted, will prove adequate to such desirable ends, time, the mother of events, will show. For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system, which, without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.”    Alexander Hamilton

With threats all around us, all created in the minds of men and women, a case for utopia has to be made now, and it must become our common purpose.   A better world is quite possible; we’ve been creating it for thousands of years, but still too many people suffer needlessly and if we keep on this course, it will only get worse.   We have it in us to change this course, so please look forward to my next blog:  A Case for Utopia.