We continue our Thought Experiment in this instalment by looking at Doughnut Economics (DE) and its relationship to Spiral Dynamics and Integral City through a Globalcentric Worldview.
As we noted in our first blog, the Globalcentric Worldview spans Levels 7 and 8 in Spiral Dynamics (see Table 5). A globalcentric worldview embraces the structures of Global Meshwork and Systemic Ecology.
Table 5: Globalcentric Worldview, Spiral Dynamics, Archetypal Structure
| Worldview | Spiral Dynamics Level of Complexity | Spiral Dynamics Expression | Archetypal Structure |
| Globalcentric | Level 7 | Yellow – Individual | Systemic Ecology |
| Level 8 | Turquoise – Collective | Global Meshwork | |
We can summarize the inner qualities and outer contexts of these 2 levels of complexity as set out in Figures 9 and 10.
Figure 9
Figure 10
As we are examining the correlative life conditions that Doughnut Economics points to at these more advanced stages of complexity, we can look at the expanded uptake and application by cities of dashboards tracking the inner and outer factors of DE . In these leading locations, we see the expansion from regional influence into a more fully systemic global impact with commensurate global techonological interconnections. This combination is waking up to the necessity to balance the Ecological Ceiling and Social Justice factors. In our lifetimes, the kinds of human settlements that are emerging at these stages are what we would now call (early stage) Integral Cities. They have a growing realization that responsibility for local and regional human systems is a prerequiste to ensure a fully balanced global flow of resources for all life. People and places with these mindsets recognize such flex and flow creates conditions for widespread use of renewable and solar energy systems, clean airsheds and high water quality (both ocean and fresh).
At the seventh level of complexity, DE Inner factors build on the life conditions of earlier levels with legislated intentions to convert fossil-fuel energy into renewable energy. With the experience of the global pandemic, recalibration of how Income and Work relate to Peace and Justice, along with a diversity of Political Voices finds audiences across a world of social media (and much less expressed through traditional media). Education, Health and Social Equity continue to recalibrate as cooperation and even international collaboration arise in public, private and not-for-profit enterprises.
DE outer factors are expanding to rebalance nitrogen and phosphorous loading (by attention to the regeneration of the quality of the soil ), air pollution (from reduction and control of CO2 emissions), ozone layer depletion, and ongoing land conversion (to steward it for its highest and best use for global wellbeing). The earlier factors requiring ongoing commitment as populations peak include fresh water drawdown, biodiversity loss (as natural habitats are invaded by human activity through increased population).
The Level 7/Yellow Spiral Dynamic factors are oriented to the individual with the focus on ecology, systems, restoration, regeneration, cooperative labour forces, and global agreements for the fair distritution of energy, food and water. Furthermore, with the experience of the Covid19 pandemic, the sectors of healthcare, education, housing and land/property ownership are being recalibrated into transectoral hybrids (including a rise of the Commons). The Human System Context that set the life conditions at this level of complexity was kickstarted by the international experience of the Covid19 pandemic. Governments were forced into unexpected international agreements (albeit tenuous to start) – which set the conditions for systemic worldview, expansion of rights and responsibilities that all humans be guaranteed basic conditions of life and learning. Indigenous rights are being restored gradually around the world and environmental protection is committed for global survival of Nature, land, water and air sheds.
At the eighth level of complexity, DE Inner factors continued to strengthen education, health, social equity (granting equality for all), gender equity (with equality for both women and men), expanded regional and increasingly global agreements for peace and justice. Energy is now almost entirely from renewable sources of water, wind and solar.
Outer factors have been neutralized, and the fact of climate change is now widely accepted with international agreements to address its cause. The differences of opinion that characterized earlier stages are largely addressed by the evidence of facts that impact people in all regions (albeit differently with different geographies/geologies).
The Level 8/Turquoise Spiral Dynamic factors are oriented to the collective with the worldview as globalcentric with continuing global characteristics, cooperatives, collaborations and networks emerging. Global citizenship is accepted as a condition of being human along with transnational human rights. Environmental protection on a global scale protests the basics of life and Nature (including forest, water, air, soil, animals, insect). Private, public, NFP and Commoning options are available for health, education, housing, land, energy, food and water (options varying by the country but generally available). The Human System Context combines the best features of Socialism, Capitalism and Autocracy for an advanced Globalcentric form of governance. With world courts and strong social activism Social Justice is globalized. Trauma clearing has improved the wellbeing of individuals and collectives everywhere. The rights of Indigenous people are recalibrated as a recognition of all ancestral wisdom. Global governance works with environmental activists to support the wellbeing of Nature, land, water and air quality.
DE reveals the interconnection of Social Justice factors to the balance of factors in our Ecological Ceiling. At this stage of evolution, the great challenge is embrace the learnings from the past so the lessons are not forgotten. We know that if our DE dashboard signals that alarm bells are ringing, we ignore them at our peril and must change behaviours to re-set global wellbeing guidelines and protocols.
Looking at human habitations in the 21st century, at these seventh and eighth stages, we gain a clear vision of how our worldviews and capacities impact the effectiveness of economies. When we have a global worldview then Social and Justice factors must be calibrated for everyone. Our global worldviews still live in a tension between individual and collective rights and responsibilities for Social Justice . But we have the insight to walk in “Gaia’s shoes” and consider the planet’s Ecological Ceiling as a powerful feedback mechanism that reminds us of the inner and outer boundaries that hold us in a state of individual, collective, regional and global wellbeing – all at once (what Integral City calls the Master Code of Care).
In these mature stages of worldview and capacities, human settlements have great incentive for enabling global wellbeing and abundance (but not necessarily extreme wealth) that can be invested in living systems technology so we can live within our Ecological Ceilings. It is a global wisdom and practice to live within the Ecological Ceilings. We recognize that living with globally attuned Social Justice factors for all people enables a whole spiral of structures to develop the intelligences for wellbeing for individuals, collectives, regions and a planet that demands the Global Positioning System (GPS) of Integral Cities. We can use it to orient our intelligences for:
- Contexting
- Strategizing
- Individual
- Collective
- Evolution
GPS Integral City Intelligences
This series of Thought Experiments consider: How do the Spiral Dynamics integral worldviews of humans living in cities impact the Social Justice and Ecological Ceiling dimensions represented in Doughnut Economics? The blog series includes the following:
Leave A Comment