Imagining Future Maturation

Start Speculating Now

As in previous Stages, it is likely that the public will become aware again of the pernicious effect of a society largely run for the benefit of political-financial elites. The difference this time is that, sooner or later, the public will perceive their own role in permitting and perpetuating this situation.

The disgust and revulsion towards politics could be massive. Becoming aware requires minimal thinking or intellectual analysis, so once aware, the general public might rapidly start to object en masse.

The politicians, bureaucrats and financiers are unlikely to take any chances. They will forcefully deny or ignore the fact that they are in each other’s pocket, and will cloak themselves in the garb of «public protectors». As they sense the public becoming more discontented and aware, they will adopt measures that make things even worse—which is the normal pattern for politicians.

It is probable that plutocratic governments will strive to increase dependence of the public on the State, will entangle and confuse the populace, and will take measures to exert direct control over people, over industry, over the Internet.

What might happen…

• regulation going to extreme,
• intrusion into the minutiae of daily life,
• denial of rights to privacy,
• massive subsidies,
• massive market interventions,
• additional public services,
• special programs for troubled areas,
• active co-option or pressure on the intelligentsia,
• subtle but effective media controls,
• interference with Internet use,
• border controls,
• new security forces,
• taxation initiatives,
• blocking the use of cash
• restricting cash movement abroad
• increased deception of the public.

We can say that an enduring disaster caused by actions of an incompetent, conspiring and corrupt government enmeshed with the most powerful financial interests must eventually happen. But we cannot say when it must happen, or how it will emerge.

The Next Stage in Growing Up

The dominance of privileged elite classes in primitive pluralism had to be overturned by confrontation with:

• ideas as powerful as «supremacy of the law», «one man—one vote»;
• actual or threatened widespread armed rebellion.

So, we should expect that a plutocratic pluralism, with elites commanding vastly more wealth and vastly more power, will also have to be overturned by confrontation with:

• a big simple idea of great and irresistible power;
• actual or threatened widespread mass action.

Which Mode Next?

Perhaps this can be determined by exclusion. Neither the transcendentalist nor communalist modes would seem to offer a viable solution.

The transcendentalist mode is… far too personal and experiential when people and their society are in desperate economic straits. To activate those values at this point would be like trying to move to the individualist mode from primitive pluralism.

The communalist mode is… far too concerned with benefiting everyone and their needs. This seems too idealistic a goal when society is in the midst of a major crisis.

In a confusing financial crisis with widespread hardship and anger, and with political leaders openly perceived as having failed, no-one will seem to be trustworthy. The one thing, indeed the only thing, that can confront and overwhelm the powerful plutocratic political classes is the people en masse.

The conventionalist mode epitomizes the significance and power of public opinion, public sentiment and what is widely acceptable. So, with some confidence, we can now consider what conventionalist principles will emerge.

But what is the big idea?

---

• A big idea that can turn turn politics upside down.

Originally posted: July 2009; Last updated: 27 Mar 2014