Democracy and Global Transformation
Leading Positive Change
Global Change toward a high synergy society is inevitable. At present the world is in a low synergy state where increasing imbalances of power and wealth are concentrated at the top with numbers of poor people growing each day. This has created a tenuous instability with a need for greater harmony and equality for all segments of society. Democracy with a greater voice for the disadvantaged and under-represented people of the world is the one best hope for creating more balance and a high synergy global society. This tendency toward high synergy balance is a rule in nature that cannot be violated without eventual upheaval and movement toward equalizing the growing unfairness and deprivation in the world caused by greed and the growing power and dominance of the rich.
We are seeing now a shift toward democracy even in countries without much history of democratic participation. Recently, the people of Tunisia have succeeded in rising up to demand a change in leadership and democratic reforms which have toppled an oppressive regime and created a beginning of changes for greater democracy and voice for the people. And, in Egypt the people have demonstrated in the streets of Cairo for weeks to demand the resignation of Hosni Mubarak after thirty years of rule and create the beginning of needed reforms in a country dominated by high unemployment and poverty. Other nations in the Middle East with long histories of autocratic rule are now considering reforms that will give more voice to the concerns of the oppressed and under-represented people of their countries. Among them Jordan and Yemen are already considering reforms with the King of Jordan firing his cabinet and the President of Yemen resigning after new elections are held. This high synergy shift toward democracy has been swift in recent months and years, but it is not surprising as there has been an increasing shift in wealth and power to a smaller number of people who are trying to keep more than they need at the expense and deprivation of others. Now, this powerful majority of the people are predictably rising up and demanding long overdue changes.
This transformation toward democracy is inevitable and the leadership with enough vision to see this high synergy movement will help facilitate it with as little upheaval as possible. President Obama has recently called for President Mubarak in Egypt to begin democratic reforms and a change in leadership as the demonstrations in the streets of Cairo have escalated to violence. Mubarek has now stated that he will not run for another term as President and he has turned to his Vice President to oversee new democratic reforms that have been long overdue. President Obama has done his best to publicly encourage positive change without interfering with the will of the Egyptian people. And, this has been a difficult process of balancing leadership and diplomacy since the American Values of supporting democracy and the will of the people are not always consistent with American economic interests in the Middle East. Yet, President Obama has done well to realize that it is the will of the Egyptian people that is most important and that facilitating it without violent upheaval is in the long term best interest of America even at the expense of short term economic concerns.
Now, it remains to be seen how well the leaders in the Middle East respond to the growing will of the people of their countries. And, if American leadership can continue to put long term democratic values ahead of short term economic interests, much can be accomplished in achieving transformation to a greater degree of democracy and freedom in the Middle East and throughout the world.
Tyranny in all of its forms begins to unravel as the needs and demands of the people are heard and supported globally. And, as the people realize how important freedom and democracy are to their future and the future of their children, they are willing to sacrifice their lives for what they believe to be right and necessary. Leaders who recognize this light of freedom that burns in all people will work toward the necessary reforms to make democracy a reality and equality a birthright of all their citizens.
Copyright 2011, Global Leadership Resources
Discussion Questions
- What is a high synergy society? Why is change to a high synergy society inevitable? What are the dangers of imbalance and domination by the rich and the powerful?
- Why is democracy the best choice for facilitation of change to a high synergy society? Give examples of this change taking place in present global society.
- Why is democracy such a powerful force for positive change?
- What can leaders do to facilitate positive change and prevent violence and unnecessary turmoil?
- How is President Obama dealing with the movement toward democracy in Egypt?
- As a leader, how would you handle the democratic uprising in Egypt politically and diplomatically.
- Discuss the importance of equality, freedom and democratic participation for the people of the Global Society. Is it always achievable? Why or why not?
