Great Transition
One World, Many Places
The planetary phase interweaves the fates of rich and poor, human and non-human, living and unborn. We are, like it or not, one human family and one earth sharing a common fate. The reality of greater interconnectedness can encourage a corresponding enlargement of our identity as global citizens. Globalism today is putting down deep roots, just as nationalism once did. From outer space, we see not artificial national boundaries, but an integral planet, the natural political unit for sustaining the biosphere, managing interdependent economies and keeping the peace. At the same time, ours is a pluralistic world, with regions and countries of astonishing diversity. The governance of a Great Transition would need to be an intricate web of local, regional and global nodes and connections. Three broad principles would guide the balance of one world and many places: decision-making should be channeled to the most local level feasible; some issues are necessarily and properly addressed at the global level; regions can fashion diverse approaches to development, so long as they meet environmental, human rights, and other global responsibilities.