Moving towards a system where governments across the world prioritise wellbeing will undoubtedly require change ‘from the bottom up’ through a combination of individual, community and organisational pressure.
But it will also require change ‘from the top down’ such as influence from the United Nations, inspired and courageous leadership and perhaps, unfortunately, circumstances that provide little other option such as another pandemic, economic crisis and/or environmental disaster.
Two of the key things that will need to change at the systems level are:
To do this will require a change in thinking. In future, we will focus on improving the lives of people and then flexibly choosing the best path to get there rather than dogmatically sticking to ‘entrenched’ ideologies of the ‘right’, ‘left’ or ‘centre’. Governance will become more ‘whole’. Sometimes this will require a more collective response, sometimes more individual. Sometimes things might be better delivered by the private sector, other times the public sector. Sometimes we should be told, other times we should be involved.
This change will also require us to think increasingly systemically. This is where the CANBE Model can be very helpful. Whilst I don’t claim it has all the answers, what it does do is encourage leaders to think more across all of the domains and to join up the dots. Climate change is not just a CO2 issue. It is linked with how we think and feel about the environment, consumerism and materialism, population growth, our cultures, economies and many factors that need consideration.
On too many occasions across the world we see leaders in conflict and political systems that create opposition and competition leading to bad outcomes for the people. Governance and leadership of the
future will be more collaborative. Our leaders will win back the respect of people for their considered wisdom. Their decisions will be based on the shared virtues and values of humanity across the world.
Digital technology will enable more knowledgeable, participative, and creative politics where people can get involved in co-creating solutions and feel more empowered. This will be enhanced by a more flexible division of responsibility based on the principle of subsidiarity. As part of this, we will move towards the UN taking a more powerful role in the governance of global issues. It will increasingly play a role in aligning the interests of people, organisations, and nations with the interests of the global society. We can begin to see this with the traction gained in respect to the Sustainable Development Goals, but this power will be extended further into responses to climate change, disaster relief, regulation of international trade, human rights and responsibilities, migration, prevention of pandemics, global peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.
Global issues require a global response. This will be aided by nation states achieving a better balance between the governance within their borders and the requirements of an interdependent world. The highest profile example of this at present is obviously climate change. As we move to a focus on wellbeing, national governments will come to their senses and work to achieve universal compliance
with the targets set.
Nation states, regions and communities will increasingly realise that they have an important role to play in supporting the wellbeing of people. Social, cultural, environmental and economic factors, which are out of the control of any one individual, can have a massive impact on our wellbeing. Where required, nation states will become more adept at selectively and courageously intervening. One such example will be in the area of universal social security. This will likely be accelerated by pandemics, large scale redundancies, lower growth, or even a depression, and the increased use of automation and AI. Nation states will intervene to provide more welfare where required which will include a form of basic income.
Another key area where national governments will do better is in the management of externalities, public goods and ‘the commons’. This will be linked to developments in the sharing economy, more efficient use of limited resources, and the growth of thrift. International efforts will resist any splitting of the internet for ideological purposes. Knowledge will be seen as a common good and shared accordingly across the world for the benefit of all.
Governments will be stronger with regulation and guidance to quickly remove single use plastics, reduce packaging, and move more quickly from fossil fuel based energy to renewables. The food and beverage industry will be challenged to improve diets across the world. A focus away from materialism and consumerism will see us review every product and service offering against a set of wellbeing criteria to establish whether it is net positive for human wellbeing. If these products or services are found wanting there will be stronger checks, balances and penalties.
As we realise that the opportunities for growth lie in sustainable business, investment will shift increasingly quickly towards solving these challenges and environmental renewal. Ultimately governance
will become more fair with the aim of delivering a thriving world for all.
So what can you do to influence change at this national level? I believe there are three things:
- Change yourself and help others around you
- Vote for parties that focus on wellbeing. Read the wellbeing manifesto and promote the things that you agree with
- Support the move to a wellbeing economy.
Get in touch
If you would like to discuss any of this content or how I might be able to help please get in touch or call David on +44 (0)7753 430 557.