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Harnessing Social Processes for the Common Good

Author

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  • Raven John

    (30 Great King St., Edinburgh EH3 6QH, Scotland, Telephone: +44 (0)131 556 2912)

Abstract

This article argues that harnessing social processes for the common good depends on creating a learning society which will innovate, learn, and evolve in the long-term public interest. In essence, this involves establishing more embedded, interconnected, and interacting, “organic” feedback (sociocybernetic) loops which do not depend on long and distorting chains of “accountability” to distant “representative” assemblies of “decision takers”. Several important steps toward doing this are discussed. However, all depend on undertaking a great deal of adventurous, problem-driven (as distinct from literature-driven) research. By far the most important of these research programmes would be to develop a better understanding of the currently invisible (Kafkaesque) network of social forces that have the future of our species and the planet in their grip … and then to find ways of intervening in that network. It is suggested that this is analogous to Newton first conceptualising physical forces and then showing how to measure, map, and harness them. Answering the question of how work like Newton’s could be funded and conducted in modern society – and especially under current research-funding arrangements – thus emerges as crucial to finding a way forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Raven John, 2018. "Harnessing Social Processes for the Common Good," Journal for Perspectives of Economic Political and Social Integration, Sciendo, vol. 24(1), pages 9-49, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:jpepsi:v:24:y:2018:i:1:p:9-49:n:1
    DOI: 10.2478/pepsi-2018-0001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lane,Robert E., 1991. "The Market Experience," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521407373, November.
    2. Ockie J. H. Bosch & Nam C. Nguyen & Takashi Maeno & Toshiyuki Yasui, 2013. "Managing Complex Issues through Evolutionary Learning Laboratories," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 116-135, March.
    3. Mill, John Stuart, 1861. "Representative Government," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number mill1861.
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