Great Transition on Clubhouse

Description

The World in 2084: A Brief Summary of Paul Raskin's New Paradigm Scenario ⠀

Paul Raskin's 2016 Journey to Earthland presents six possible scenarios for the world in the latter half of the 21st Century. His most hopeful scenario, the New Paradigm, may be possible, but only if humanity successfully and significantly changes its current direction. ⠀

Commitment to the New Paradigm requires understanding what it is, why it is much better than the alternatives, and what we can do today to help realize it. The purpose of this summary is to introduce the scenario, provide an initial basis for discussing it, and encourage people to read Journey to Earthland. To download a free pdf of the book or buy it, do a search on Journey to Earthland Great Transition.

Pages 71 to 108 of Journey to Earthland present a description of the New Paradigm in 2084. (Raskin chose 2084 because it is 100 years after George Orwell's dystopian future, 1984.) In Raskin's 2084, people still face real problems, so the world is not a utopia. It is, however, much more sustainable, just, and secure than in 2020. The dominant values have changed from consumerism, individualism, and exploitation of the natural world to quality of life, solidarity with others, and harmony with the natural world. ⠀

The goal of accumulating ever more individual material wealth has been replaced by the goal of having a high quality of life in a world where everyone's basic material needs are satisfied. "Enough is enough" and "enough for all" (page 76). This has led to great reductions in wealth and income disparity through changes in tax policies. It has also led to time affluence through productivity increases, reductions in unnecessary production, and full employment policies. "Workweeks in the formal economy typically range from 12 to 18 hours" (page 97). The desire for money is giving way to the cultivation of artistic skills, personal relationships, and wellness of body, mind, and spirit. ⠀

World population has stabilized at just less than 8 billion people, far less than the 10 billion or more peak the UN projected in 2020. Universal education and healthcare, combined with more equitable economic policies, have reduced population growth even while increasing life expectancy. ⠀