Thinking simplistically is the one mistake people often do. Let me take a serious look at the world around. Where is the world going?
After the initial primitive existence of man there was this stage called the Dark Ages, when pursuit of knowledge was curtailed and authority was established in the name of God and feudalism, to the advantage of only a priviliged few. Then came the Renaissance and the Modern Ages. Scientific thinking had become important and this and many other factors spurred an Industrial Revolution, where acquisition of wealth was no more based on feudal authority, but personal enterprenuership - Capitalism. The consequent inequalities resulted in the Communist way of thinking, where (irrespective of whatever communism theoretically meant) the enterprenuer and labour became enemies. A person investing money or starting a business can also make money without oppressing the labour he will employ. Rather than a win-loose situation it can become a partial win-win situation. This probably has now reduced the relevance of Communism. Progress became the buzzword of Modern times. Progress, as can be measured by economic indices like Gross Domestic Produce etc. And that brings us to the world of today.
The world as I see it today is divided into different countries, which based on some Economic indices, are either Developed or Developing. Each country strictly maintains itself as a distinct entity and tries to achieve the standards of Economic indices of the Developed countries. And what are the developed countries doing? Well, life doesn't end once you are a developed nation. They have more enterprenuers coming up with newer ideas, which change the way business is done or improve the quality of life. The latter is important, the pursuit to improve quality of life, which means something like "if you have a house to live in, food to eat and clothes to wear, then let me now make a beautiful garden around my house." It's just an example. But have we reached the end of the road. No, because there are still developing countries who have to reach there. Also the countries, who have reached the end of the road are building the road of progress further and further. So even if we haven't reached a state, where humanity has attained a reasonable amount of satisfaction to stop moving further and further ahead, can we atleast say that we are on the right road?
This is where it gets complex. What preceded this(after I began talking about the mistake of thinking simplistically) was a simplistic description. There can be infinite differences and mistakes pointed out in it. Like when it was Dark Ages in Europe, was it really Dark in India etc etc. But in a very rough sense atleast, I think, this is what happened upto today. But now, this question, as to whether we are on the right road at all. Continued in the next blog... Thursday, April 11, 2002
