World Wisdom in Action

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.”

For example is wisdom acquired by formal learning experiences or through real world exposure?  Through the course of history there have been many individuals possessing wisdom but operating from very differing “values” as indicated below.

• Survival Values: This is the wisdom of the individual who either individually or collectively fights for his own or his bands survival in a hostile and uncertain world. 7% of current global population or 420 million people.  e.g. Somalia and Darfur.
• Tribal Values:  Here the tribal leader is looking at ways of preserving his tribe for the greater good of all.  This includes using the greater wisdom of the tribe as a tool. 12% of global mix or 720 million people.  e.g. many parts of Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq,  
• Power Values: Warlords operate from this level of values as did past leaders and historical figures such as Alexander the Great and the others.  20% or 1.2 billion people.   e.g. Zimbabwe, many parts of Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza.
• Order and Stability Values: This is the value system of the British Empire and other empires in the past such as the Greeks and the Romans.  30% or 1.8 billion people.  e.g. China, India and many countries in the developed world including the USA.  
• Enterprise Values: This value system considers the best way to progress for both the enterprise and the country.  We are seeing this increasingly moving into the governance systems of the developed countries in terms of accountability.  25% or 1.5 billion people.  e.g. USA, UK and many parts of the developed world.
• Environmental Values:  There is increasing interest in this value system from many governments and business organisations in the developed economies, particularly with the whole issue of global warming moving to centre stage.  3% or 180 million.  Greenpeace plus governments and business who see the need for urgent change. 
• Integrated Values:  More and more interest is being shown in using integrated approaches to problem solving around the world.  However, this is still in its infancy in influencing events at the level of the “Global Village.”  2% of total or 120 million.  Nelson Mandela.
• Kosmic Values:  The values and wisdom at this level only comprises a tiny minority of global citizens.  1% or less than 60 million of 6 billion global total.  Carl Sagan.

It is clear that at every level described above wisdom is available in our present world.  However, as our more developed societies move from one level of values to the next, different levels of “wisdom” are required for success. In addition, the “old wisdom” is too often thrown out and replaced by the “new wisdom” of the day and the emerging new value system.

In considering the issue of “World Wisdom in Action” we should at all times remember that our historical roots bind us to the past as well as moving us into the future.   Unless we remember this, mankind as a whole will continue to stumble from one crisis to the next. It is also important to note that both societies and individuals move up and down across the various values levels as required by “life conditions” as these change. This is as with the gearbox of a car where one selects the right ratio for the road conditions being experienced. 

We need to consider that some 39% or 2.3 billion of global population is still operating in the first three values levels described above. In addition, 55% or 3.3 billion occupy the next two values levels which drive our world.  Only 6% or 360 million fall into the top three levels.  This therefore, currently mitigates against more rapid movement of a “critical mass” into these more integrative values for some considerable time. 

The future wisdom of the 21st Century is admitting that, “we don’t know what we don’t know.”  This equally applies to our past as to our future, particularly for those who live in developed economies who have never had real life experiences of the wisdom required at many of the other levels of development. We as a human species will thrive or perish  according to this rule, as our various ancestors across the ages have in the past.   

* Note:  Numbers extracted from GVN QuickSCAN on www.globalvaluesnetwork.com 

Alan Tonkin
GVN Consulting Group
St Francis Bay
South Africa
26 July, 2007