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The Seeking a just, inclusive, and sustainable world that works for all
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GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY: A Discussion Paper By David C. Korten, Nicanor Perlas, and Vandana Shiva Summary Humanity has entered into the final stage of an epic struggle between the forces of imperial rule (empire) — presently represented by the institutions of elite globalization — and the forces of democratic rule (community) — presently represented by global civil society. The stress imposed on social and environmental systems by empire’s exploitation of people and nature has passed beyond the limits of social and environmental tolerance. Even the rich and powerful now experience the consequences of the resulting economic instability and social and environmental breakdown — including terrorism. The undemocratic, militaristic, and largely counterproductive response by the right-wing extremists in control of U.S. military and economic power to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack against the United States underscores the essential role of global civil society in providing leadership toward deep change based on the democratic ideals and principles of community. Fortunately, the current balance of power between empire and community tilts less decisively in favor of empire than it at first seems. Empire controls the institutions of political and economic power — including military and police. This control, however, rests on a false legitimacy dependent on empire’s ability to perpetuate a falsified and inauthentic cultural trance based on beliefs and values at odds with reality. As empire’s failures mount, the reality is exposed, the cultural trance is broken for increasing numbers of people, and the legitimacy of empire’s institutions is called into serious question — creating space for the forces of community as manifest in the new social organism we know as global civil society. Global civil society is a social expression of the awakening of an authentic planetary culture grounded in the spiritual values and social experience of hundreds of millions of people. The power of authentic culture gives civil society the ultimate advantage. This paper examines the strategic implications. Global Civil Society: The Path Ahead Part I: Democracy at Risk Part II: Epic Struggle Part III: Development and Empire Part IV: Global Civil Society Part V: Empire Under Siege Part VI: Empire's Vulnerability Part VII: Civil Society and the Power of Authentic Culture Part VIII: Earth Democracy Part IX: A New Economy Part X: A New Politics This discussion paper builds on the analysis and recommendations of the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) (IFG) report on Alternatives to Economic Globalization <www.ifg.org> released in November 2002 as a major trade book by Berrett-Koehler Publishers. The IFG report is a compelling response by global civil society to the bogus claim of corporate globalists that those who protest have no critique and offer no alternative. The present paper updates and expands the IFG analysis and recommendations. It is a working document prepared by David C. Korten (U.S.A.), Nicanor Perlas (Philippines), and Vandana Shiva (India). Perlas, who received the Right Livelihood Award in 2003, has a forthcoming book, Spirit or Empire: Societal Revolutions in the 21st Century, that builds on the themes of the paper. Korten is also working a book that carries these themes forward with the working title Renewing the American Experiment. Critical Commentary from James Robertson Updated January 4, 2004, Posted November 20, 2002
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