Chapter 4 - Specific Issues and Case Narratives

Abstract

The chapter opens with a discussion of energy efficiency in each sector of current economies. A discussion of lifestyles, revolving around life in a community, development of skills and continued learning and education follows. The role of normative impositions is identified and questions of tolerance and treatment of minorities and minority views are raised. This leads to a discussion of conflict, violence and war, with a historical overview and followed by appraisal of the options for a more peaceful coexistence, focusing on possibly giving the United Nations a greater authority to intervene in conflicts, even within a nation, and notably to restrain the arms industry by banning arm’s trade, between nations and eventually inside nations. A role of economic paradigms based on selfishness in promoting violence is suggested. The chapter then turns to a description of some basic social and economic changes proposed in the past. An important idea is that of a basic income to overcome current fears of unemployment and social exclusion. Other issues raised include the best way to ensure sufficient knowledge in the population, both for performing the tasks needed in society and for participating in the democratic processes of elections and referenda, and of setting up the legal and financial institutions required for societies based on monetary transactions. The chapter ends by mentioning the role of capitalism and the neo-liberal persuasion juxtaposed to a lists of elements from earlier used political dogmas that have been preserved despite changes in economic philosophy, and those yet to be implemented.