The article builds on the latest book by well known American political scientist and author Francis Fukuyama "Our Posthuman Future" which looks at modernisation through the perspective of science and technology.   Fukuyama makes the point that there is a real danger of an ever widening gap between the have;s and have not in terms of science and technology. 

We use the article to explore a number of the points raised by Fukuyama and link these to the values debate with some interesting observations.

This article considers the reasons why different value systems require different types of democratic systems.  It looks at what is appropriate to the major values system in a particular society in order to move that society forward from the perspective of sustainable development. 

It also explains the basic differences between the major values systems and how this knowledge can be used to move societies forward from a strategic development perspective. 

In considering the topic “World Wisdom in Action” it is necessary to consider the total global picture and how our global population is made up.  Using the title as a template does this indicate that wisdom is only located in the developed world or is it accepted that there are various levels of “wisdom.”

Values and Careers for the 21st Century

This article is the first in a series which will look at the different values systems that exist in different countries and regions.  It will link this to the various types of careers that are likely to be available in those countries.

The series will consider the differences between the Postmodern economies compared with the Emerging and Underdeveloped economies.  It will also provide some practical guidelines on how to interpret these differences using the Values technology and how to use this in our own organisations and countries / regions.

QuickSCAN Review is designed to keep our subscribers up to date on the results obtained from the data returned to the GVN database. 

This information will be updated on a regular basis.

"From the Pinnacle" - 29 January, 2002
This is the first introduction to "From the Pinnacle" another of Don Beck's regular bi-monthly columns.  This column is specifically focussed on the leadership issues which exist in the 21st Century in both the public and private sectors and will serve as a way to explore "New Ways" of tackling and resolving some of these issues.

In order to further assist our Partners, this column will serve as a resource centre in respect of new material that seems to offer new thinking in the field of leadership.  The first edition offers two titles:  Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos by Robert D. Kaplan and Leadership Ensemble: Lessons in Management from the World's only Conductorless Orchestra - Times Books 2002. 

The African Institute: An Integral Initiative

Don Beck has made 63 trips to South Africa since 1981 and during this period was able to look in depth at the various racial, ethnic and 1st versus 4th World thinking patterns and groupings present in the country.  During this period Beck worked with a number of major South African corporations and community organisations as well as with political leaders in the Government of National Unity including both Presidents Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk. 

This article makes a strong case for "fresh thinking" through an Integral Initiative in the formation of an "Africa Institute."   This institute should consider and propose solutions to many of the issues confronting African countries through the application of a Vital Signs Monitor.  Beck makes the point in the article that any consideration of a new Africa Institute MUST be multi-disciplinary in design and should be openly discussed prior to it being formed with support from all areas of society and allowing "New Thinking" to be introduced into the debate.

The 21st Century Values Project
This document covers some of the significant changes that have taken place in the world, particularly since 11 September, 2001 and asks the question What if?  It goes on to outline some of the practical steps that are planned through the GVN to be able to answer some of these questions.  Included in these steps is the formation of an integral initiative between the GVN and a number of its major partners.  This is to be an applied research partnership in order to produce possible solutions to some of these complex and vexing issues.  The Executive Summary is on the Free Site with the longer version on the Partner Site.  

Stages of Social Development: The Cultural Dynamics that Spark Violence, Spread Prosperity and Shape Globalisation.
This paper for the 2000 State of the World Forum in September, 2000 examines the eight stages of social development and how cultures emerge from a global perspective.  Beck points out that using the Values technology and its eight levels it is possible to better understand the 'global mesh.'  He then outlines an approach using 'The Twelve Postulates' which provides an Integral perspective to the globalisation debate.

Spiral Dynamics in the Integral Age 

This key strategic document by Dr Don Beck outlines the development of the Spiral Dynamics or  Values Systems technology over the period from 1975 to the present time.  It covers the three phases these being the Graves Technology: 1975 to 1995, Spiral Dynamics: 1995 to 2001 and Spiral Dynamics integral: 2002 on. 

Don Beck outlines the future planned development of the SDintegral Group and the development of a constellation of entities and resources which are all to be linked under the umbrella of the soon to be launched www.SDintegral.com website which will provide linkage of all these resources in a global network. 

Written by Don Beck just after the events of 11 September, 2001 the article covers the differences between the approaches of the Ancients and Moderns in our Global Village.  Beck points out that to assist the Moderns in the developing countries, and particularly the Islamic ones, the global community can assist by providing “New Integral Ways” through the use of Visionaries who have the required mix of skills and insight.