A Perfect Society – a Vision.

Posted on by Opher

Interacting with a variety of people over the internet; people with all manner of strong political views and social perspectives, gives me an angle on my own views. Someone asked me what a perfect society would look like for me and that set me thinking.
I believe all things start from a basic philosophy. So it is important to start with that.

My ideal society would no doubt be that of a small hunter/gatherer tribe living in harmony with nature. But that is a pipedream. Those days are long gone. With 7.6 Billions, and rising daily, there is not enough wilderness or enough animals to make it feasible. If everyone lived that way we’d have the planet stripped bare in a single year. No – we have to start with modern-day societies.

My ideal deal society would be:

a. A society that respects and lives in harmony with nature and provides space for the natural world to flourish
b. One based on equality, tolerance and caring
c. A society with a democratic system with full accountability
d. A society with excellent public services – schools, healthcare, provision for the elderly, libraries, swimming pools, leisure facilities, cycle paths, transport services, parks, playgrounds, sports facilities
e. A society that puts quality of life above consumerism, status and power
f. A happy, friendly place free of racism, bullying, crime, misogyny and nastiness – where a helping hand replaces the grasping hand
g. A secular society where anyone’s faith is a personal matter and there is no indoctrination of children, discrimination or division
h. A universal society that is outward looking and has a global perspective; where people can have their own cultural values but still buy into an overriding set of shared values
i. A society where there is freedom of expression only restricted by the banning of hate-speech or incitement to violence
j. A society where the individual has the space to grow and express themselves without discrimination, prejudice or coercion
k. A diverse society
l. A society that values the arts and creativity
m. A classless society without an overriding elite or ruling class, where the rich and powerful do not pull the strings
n. A society where hard work and effort is rewarded
o. A society where nepotism and privilege plays no part
p. A cosmopolitan society enriched by the mixing of cultures, races and views
q. A society where people are not exploited
r. A fair and just society where the laws and regulations are well thought through and applied fairly to create safety, order and yet retain freedom
s. A society that limits its numbers so there is no overcrowding
t. A society that does not pollute or waste resources

Well I probably could go on but I’d probably be repeating myself. It was an interesting exercise teasing out my vision. It is an idealistic vision. Without dreamers and ideals we have nothing to work towards. I’ll leave it to you to pick over. I’m sure the cynics among you will surmise that it is unattainable, unrealistic and against human nature.

I remain an optimist. It is the vision that drives my thoughts, actions and deeds and has done all my life. If we are not moving towards a better world we are moving towards a worse one.

I believe the vast majority of people are basically good.

11 thoughts on “A Perfect Society – a Vision.”

  1. How about rights to property and privacy….free markets; stuff like that?
    There is a lot more wilderness out there than most people realize.
    Birth rates are decreasing rapidly in almost all “developed” countries. Many experts say the world population is on the verge of a plateau then, decrease.
    There is an interesting guy, James C. Scott, who wrote a book about highland, hunter gatherer cultures in Southeast Asia. The title is “The Art of Not Being Governed”. He and others theorize that hunter/gatherer groups evolved from a desire to flee and avoid governments rather than primitives that never became civilized.

    1. Jack – thanks for those valuable additions. I think the laws we have at present on property and privacy work pretty well. I’d adopt them.
      I would like open barriers, free trade and movement.
      Yes the birth rate is going in the right direction in the developed countries. It follows on from female education, security and career opportunities. We just need to bring the rest of the world up to the same standard.
      I’m not sure I’d go along with that idea about hunter/gatherers. Perhaps it is true of some groups but I think it was the normal way of life for all early mankind. Most groups would have simply carried it on.

      1. To be fair to Professor Scott; his book is about a population, estimated to be around a hundred million, that live in the highlands of Southeast Asia, spanning 8 countries, that have lived for many centuries outside of government authority. His findings are that originally, they lived in areas where agriculture was forming and thus, government. But, these peoples then became nomadic and headed for the hills.
        Since the book, he has explored other cultures, again mostly highland, that did the same in South America, Africa and even American “hillbillies”, that have the common thread of histories of evading the State.

      2. Jack – I can well imagine that there are people like that. But they must have been a minority I would have thought. Fascinating to study.

  3. Opher, you are an Optimist, and I am a Pessimist my Husband would always tell me, I think that I am a realist. All you say sounds wonderful but we don’t, can’t live in that world sadly. I know you don’t believe in an afterlife, I do you see. Sometimes its what keeps me going, because I know there is better than what I/we are living now. You called me a true Romantic a little while ago, very true indeed. It would be an even tougher world if we were all the same, keep going your way Opher and I’m sure my presence will continue to provoke you.

    1. Ha Anna – if we don’t have something to work towards, a dream of hope, then we are in the depths of despair and that leads to depression and gloom. You’re hope is in a future world, mine is in this one. Step by step we move towards a better world.

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