#1Dec 14th, 2011
Planetary Phase of Civilization
The Planetary Phase of Civilization is a concept defined by the -- (GSG), an environmental organization that specializes in -- and --. Proponents of the Planetary Phase of Civilization state that it refers to a current historical transition from a world of capitalist states and -- societies to a world of increased global connectivity with new global institutions (like the -- and the --), new information technologies, environmental change in the --, economic --, and shifts in culture and consciousness. Although the concept is hotly debated in some circles, most reputable scientists give little credence to the theory and assert that current global economic interconnectedness is a function of advanced technology rather than the emergence of anything new in cultural or sociological terms.
In a historical perspective, the Planetary Phase of Civilization is viewed by its proponents as the third significant transition in civilization. Though history is complex and difficult to distinguish, they argue that changes from the -- to -- and then to the -- are the first two macro-shifts in human society and culture. These transitions can be differentiated based on social organization, economy, and communications. The Stone Age consisted of the least complex versions – -- and villages, --, and spoken language as the only means of communication. The shift into Early Civilization brought more structured -- and --, settled --, and writing. Society became more complex in the Modern Era with --, industrial systems and printing, which enhanced communication and further increased the complexity of society. Proponents argue that unlike prior transitions, the Planetary Phase marks a new geologic era, the --, in which human activity fundamentally alters -- and the --.
In Great Transition: The Promise and Lure of the Times Ahead, the GSG argues that historical transitions appear to be accelerating as each successive period lasts for a shorter amount of time than the previous one. It speculates that the current Planetary Phase will last for about 100 years, during which there will be a clear progression in science and technology toward a more complex and environmentally interdependent society. The GSG uses this assumption to create scenarios which lead to varying futures ranging from Breakdown to -- to --. The GSG contends that the most desirable scenario is a "--" to an environmentally and socially sustainable global civilization. This scenario, however, depends on the emergence of a -- as a potential actor to contest the power of transnational corporations and state governments.
The concept of the planetary phase of civilization has become popular in the academic field of --. In "Building a Global Culture of Peace"-- -- states that "...we have entered a planetary phase in the development of civilization - what the historians call an era of global history." In his article entitled "Paths to Planetary Civilization,"-- -- describes this planetary civilization as one in which "The consensually created and globally coordinated ecosocial market system begins to function" and "The natural resources required for health and vitality become available to all the peoples and countries of the human community."
This kind of scenario analysis helps analysts think in an organized fashion about future alternatives, key decision points, and possible obstacles to global development. It then becomes possible to determine how to avoid the less-favorable directions and encourage changes to nurture a more beneficial one.
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