Civilization and Beyond: Learning from HistoryNearing, Scott
History
Civilization and Beyond: Learning from History
Nearing, Scott
Civilization -- History
_First_, to extend the developing pattern of collective responsibility
and collective action around the earth as rapidly as possible. If such
an extension proves feasible, it should give Marxism a real priority in
stabilizing the economy and building up the political vigor of the Far
East.
_Second_, organized counter-revolution could be liquidated and
revolutionaries, willing to take on the responsibility, could be
provided with necessary authority, leadership and equipment.
_Third_, moving along with the formulation and fulfillment of carefully
developed plans for socialist construction in all of its ramifications,
to close the door gradually, step by considered step, on exploitation
and profiteering. In their places, well-laid plans could be drawn up for
developing a people's socialist-communist economy in the more backward
areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
_Fourth_, the new economy could be federated as it was established and
stabilized, with special attention to the need for a maximum of local
self help to balance against pressures toward bureaucracy and the
development of overhead costs.
_Fifth_, with one eye on its need for integration into a
socialist-communist collective planetary economy, the other eye must be
kept on the planetary chain of which the earth is an essential part.
Life is a process operating through the linking of causes and their
effects. This is as true of social life as it is of individual life.
Reviewing history we check man's past actions and learn by so doing.
Turning to the future we plan and prepare to set in motion that
conglomerate of causes (plans) best calculated to assure a good life
individually, socially, cosmically--with a strong emphasis on the time
honored sequence: good, better, best.
It is our opportunity, our destiny, and our responsibility to keep on
living, constructing, creating. We must live, not die. We must not stop.
We must go on.
By such steps we humans could by-pass the restrictions and limitations
imposed on human creative genius by the structure and function of
civilization. In its place we could elaborate a substitute
inter-planetary culture in which a chastened, improved, rejuvenated
humanity could play a creative role, in accordance with our capacities
and our destiny as an integral part of the joint enterprise to which our
sun furnishes light, warmth and vibrant energy. We have latent among us
the talent and genius necessary to play such a part. Do we also have the
imagination, courage and daring to accept the challenge and take our
post of duty in the team that is directing the expansion of our
expanding universe?
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