Governancein the Year 2100

July 21, 2100

Eric Meade

Our purpose today

To describe governance in 2100 for the benefit of WFS conference participants in the year 2013.

As Einstein said:

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

LINEAR

Earlier views of continuous progress (e.g., pre-1914) reflect a linear model of change.

Our ideas about change have evolved

S-CURVE

Some change occurs through an S-curve, where something new at the margins grows toward a “tipping point” on its way to becoming the “new normal.”

Our ideas about change have evolved

COMPLEX

Our ideas about change have evolved

Rational mind

Intuitive mind

Complex systems change passes through periods of order and chaos. The “rational mind” can navigate a period of order constituted by clearly defined constructs (e.g., the current “trough”), but the “intuitive mind” is necessary to see possibilities on the other side of chaos.

SEVEN KEY IDEAS SHAPING GOVERNANCE

Governance in 2100

1. Intentional communities

2. Mapping community dynamics

3. Deep democracy

See:Frederic Laloux (2014), Reinventing OrganizationsSandra Bloom (2013), Creating SanctuarySteven Johnson (2013), Future Perfect“The Boss Stops Here” (June 16, 2013), New York MagazineClem Bezold (Ed.) (1978), Anticipatory Democracy

4. Imaginal practices

See Eric Meade, “The Tallest Man in the World,” in the April 2013 issue of Monthly Developments.

5. Ego demographics

6. Urbanization

7. From schizophrenic engagement…

…to non-violent engagement

What questions might the audience in 2013 have about these key ideas?

CONCLUDING THOUGHTSGovernance in 2100

Seven key ideas

Intentional communitiesMapping community dynamicsDeep democracyImaginal practicesEgo demographicsUrbanizationNon-violent engagement

What about the nation-state?

Key take-aways

Communities will become stronger, more intentional, and better understood (using mapping and analytics).Democracy will flourish in the workplace and in other institutions of society.Compassion and intention will be designed into governance structures.Many existing governance structures will still exist (like the Queen), but will be transcended or reinterpreted.New governance structures will emerge to address the challenges we currently face, but to create these structures we will need to awaken the intuitive mind.

Thank you!

Eric MeadeVice President & Senior FuturistInstitute for Alternative Futures

703-684-5880www.altfutures.orgemeade@altfutures.org