Furthermore, there are great uncertainties due to a lack of a strong theoretical guidance in areas such as intergenerational ethics, international justice and human relationships to other species. Further uncertainty arises from the fact that we have constructed a complex web of interconnections between human society, its economy and the natural world. We have built a global system whose properties we cannot fully understand and control.
In "The techno-human condition," Braden Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz described a new "macro-ethic" for dealing with such problems. They recommend caution in making predictions and in the search for simple solutions. Surprises will occur - so being pluralist, flexible, adaptive and innovative will assist in the search for robust strategies.
We have known for many years that groups within society hold very different views of their ethical responsibilities to others and to the environment. In his book "Organising and disorganising," Michael Thompson explained how the debate within society about fiscal adjustments, inequality and environmental ethics is polarised as arguments rage between those with "egalitarian and communitarian" views (concern for social justice, inequality and environmental ethics) and those with "individualistic and hierarchical" views (opposition to government assistance, support for profit and individual freedoms).
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Society is actually becoming more polarised as the issues become more pressing, even to the point where the USA is becoming gridlocked on major reform issues. Individualists believe that Nature is benign, so can it can be exploited. Communitarians believe that Nature is ephemeral, so stewardship is important.
Over time the balance is shifting towards stewardship and an environmental ethic but democratic societies tend towards sub-optimal "clumsy" solutions as power shifts back and forth between cultural groups. Nevertheless Australia is proof of the fact that democratic societies can debate and initiate important reforms.
Australia is a prosperous country, and we have been fortunate. Our natural endowments are many. To quote Paul Keating, "when they were handing out continents, not many people got one. We did."
Our prosperity has not just been due to good fortune. Anyone looking at the global financial situation can see that we have constructed our own good fortune through a constant process of social and economic reforms.
Through living overseas for a while, I observed first hand just how much we have achieved compared to countries in the northern hemisphere. We care about our environment and our egalitarian roots. Maintaining prosperity is hard work and takes leadership. We should not listen to those who argue for delay or inaction because "nobody else has done it yet."
We are where we are because we have been prepared to lead and prosecute reform. Given the magnitude of change that is required in the next decades we need to continue the robust debate between cultural groups that characterises Australian society and press on. We are the envy of the world for both wealth and prosperity. Let us keep it that way.
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