257
never leave the laptop) but results also in that we
never leave the office and become the slave of it.
The other fast spreading device is smartphone the
use of which brings about similar consequences
or even more drawbacks. Handy thinks that today
not religion is the opium of people but smartphone. The problem is caused by too much communication, and too little time devoted to
thinking, deep meditation.
Despite the above, infosphere intrudes into
life imminently, controlling our work to a growing degree, inducing a second curve that transforms relationships, organisations and even rules.
A strong increase of self-employment and microcompanies occurs and their aims include not
increasing production but expanding employment in the new society.
The view of the “second curve” does not deny
market, indeed it is considered a useful place to
establish balance between demand and supply,
encourage competition to promote innovation.
However, we cannot leave everything to the market. There are certain fields in the society where
markets cannot operate, like water supply, public
transport, healthcare and education. To put it
more general, markets are useless when the output (indirect in most cases) cannot be priced
realistically.
The operation of markets therefore has to be
controlled even stricter and more carefully in the
future. A number of events in life cannot (and
must not) be expressed in money to avoid turning
ourselves into goods. (The authors have to note
that for that very reason quantitative parameters
mentioned before like data composing GPI can
be debated.)
The issue of economic growth is fundamental
regarding the future of both the society and the
natural environment. If the population of humanity increases, production has to be increased even
if the living standard of the population remains at
a constant level.
According to the “second curve” theory
growth should be managed so that it causes less
degree of inequality in the society and not to pass
worse environmental conditions down to our
grandchildren. For this consumer attitude should
be changed and running into personal debts
should be hindered as it results in overconsumption. The fundamental question is that, how is it
possible? Unfortunately, Handy gives no adequate answer. The authors think that the global
transformation of education could have greatest
role in shaping the attitude of future generations
as mentioned in Sect. 6.2.
In Handy’s opinion, a company is nothing
more than a responsible community. People
working together in the company are companions
(company!) and rather citizens than “human
resources”. The fundamental task of this community is to create economy for the entire society
and to provide its workers with jobs and adequate
lifestyle. The keyword is the culture of the middle
class needed badly for capitalism.
The future lies in a society based on individual
responsibility and not in caring state. Pyramid
scheme mentality established in a lot of countries
has to be abolished. One example is the pension
system behind which there is no secured money.
Current pension is paid out of the contributions
made by current earners. This system works until
more people enter than exit employment. In case,
however, older people live longer and the number
of newborn babies decreases, i.e., pension of
more people has to be paid out of the contributions of fewer active workers in time the system
will collapse. (If only, the number of years spent
by elderly in good health increases swiftly to
allow for the permanent increase of retirement
age.)
The most important challenge regarding the
elimination of poverty is to realise justice in creation and distribution of property. External
norms would be necessary based on which leaders and other high position staff would receive
bonuses as determined multiplication of the base
wages. In Switzerland, for example, a referendum decided that the highest wages are limited to
twelvefold the lowest wages. The referendum
was almost successful, but the earlier unlimited
wage ratio remained.
Reducing the ratio of poverty could be successful if a simple formula was agreed internationally for limiting the extreme ratios of wages.
(The authors note that Handy analysed the conditions of developed countries, therefore if his
6.7 Beyond SDGs: How to Develop the Global Society in the Future? Concepts Regarding the Future…
never leave the laptop) but results also in that we
never leave the office and become the slave of it.
The other fast spreading device is smartphone the
use of which brings about similar consequences
or even more drawbacks. Handy thinks that today
not religion is the opium of people but smartphone. The problem is caused by too much communication, and too little time devoted to
thinking, deep meditation.
Despite the above, infosphere intrudes into
life imminently, controlling our work to a growing degree, inducing a second curve that transforms relationships, organisations and even rules.
A strong increase of self-employment and microcompanies occurs and their aims include not
increasing production but expanding employment in the new society.
The view of the “second curve” does not deny
market, indeed it is considered a useful place to
establish balance between demand and supply,
encourage competition to promote innovation.
However, we cannot leave everything to the market. There are certain fields in the society where
markets cannot operate, like water supply, public
transport, healthcare and education. To put it
more general, markets are useless when the output (indirect in most cases) cannot be priced
realistically.
The operation of markets therefore has to be
controlled even stricter and more carefully in the
future. A number of events in life cannot (and
must not) be expressed in money to avoid turning
ourselves into goods. (The authors have to note
that for that very reason quantitative parameters
mentioned before like data composing GPI can
be debated.)
The issue of economic growth is fundamental
regarding the future of both the society and the
natural environment. If the population of humanity increases, production has to be increased even
if the living standard of the population remains at
a constant level.
According to the “second curve” theory
growth should be managed so that it causes less
degree of inequality in the society and not to pass
worse environmental conditions down to our
grandchildren. For this consumer attitude should
be changed and running into personal debts
should be hindered as it results in overconsumption. The fundamental question is that, how is it
possible? Unfortunately, Handy gives no adequate answer. The authors think that the global
transformation of education could have greatest
role in shaping the attitude of future generations
as mentioned in Sect. 6.2.
In Handy’s opinion, a company is nothing
more than a responsible community. People
working together in the company are companions
(company!) and rather citizens than “human
resources”. The fundamental task of this community is to create economy for the entire society
and to provide its workers with jobs and adequate
lifestyle. The keyword is the culture of the middle
class needed badly for capitalism.
The future lies in a society based on individual
responsibility and not in caring state. Pyramid
scheme mentality established in a lot of countries
has to be abolished. One example is the pension
system behind which there is no secured money.
Current pension is paid out of the contributions
made by current earners. This system works until
more people enter than exit employment. In case,
however, older people live longer and the number
of newborn babies decreases, i.e., pension of
more people has to be paid out of the contributions of fewer active workers in time the system
will collapse. (If only, the number of years spent
by elderly in good health increases swiftly to
allow for the permanent increase of retirement
age.)
The most important challenge regarding the
elimination of poverty is to realise justice in creation and distribution of property. External
norms would be necessary based on which leaders and other high position staff would receive
bonuses as determined multiplication of the base
wages. In Switzerland, for example, a referendum decided that the highest wages are limited to
twelvefold the lowest wages. The referendum
was almost successful, but the earlier unlimited
wage ratio remained.
Reducing the ratio of poverty could be successful if a simple formula was agreed internationally for limiting the extreme ratios of wages.
(The authors note that Handy analysed the conditions of developed countries, therefore if his
6.7 Beyond SDGs: How to Develop the Global Society in the Future? Concepts Regarding the Future…