Elgin, Duane. 1994. "Building a Sustainable Species-Civilization: A Challenge of Culture and Consciousness." Futures 26(2): 234-245.

Thesis:

The author argues that while the sustainability crisis is usually viewed in terms of dwindling resources and other material measures, "[u]ntil we come to terms with the non-material aspects of our crisis, we will not be able to make the many material changes required" (p.241).

Summary:

Elgin holds that a sustainable civilization "must maintain the physical, social and spiritual foundations on which it is established" (p.235). To do this, we need a vision to "build an advanced, global civilization while simultaneously restoring the health of the biosphere" (ibid.). To achieve this global civilization that Elgin recommends, it will take the synergy of the entire human species, and a new paradigm for looking at the way the world works.

Elgin then presents two dominant paradigms surrounding evolution, and introduces a third which integrates the first two (p.236). These are: (1) a materialist view, in which progress is measured in terms of material achievements in science, architecture, art, etc.; (2) a transcendentalist view, in which consciousness is the primary reality, and matter is secondary; and finally, (3) the co-evolutionary view, in which reality is seen to be comprised equally of matter and consciousness, and the synergy that they form together. He argues that each of these paradigms manifests itself in a differing social expression. He contends that in order to "co-evolve our capacity for self-referencing consciousness along with a planetary culture" humanity must pass through seven stages of development (pp.238-239). These follow the path from "hunter-gatherers" passing through an industrial era, and up through "maturity as planetary civilization". He sees it as a cycle of initially separating ourselves from nature, and developing autonomy as a species, to re-integrating ourselves consciously with Nature.

Elgin offers three scenarios for possible human futures (pp. 240-41): (1) collapse and rebuild from a devastated base; (2) dynamic stagnation in which we "muddle along with destructive trends balanced by constructive trends; or (3) mutually assured development in which " through intense communication the world economy could become much more cooperative and efficient."

In order to fulfill the promise of the third scenario, Elgin argues that we must address the following non-material aspects of the sustainability crisis before we can address the material practices (pp.241-244):

Break the cultural hypnosis of consumerism, by countering materialistic media programming with a more ecologically conscious media. We need to mobilize a grassroots 'communication rights movement' for two-way, interactive television.

Develop ecological ways of living by capitalizing upon Americans' desire to live simpler lives.

Generate compelling visions of a sustainable future, by showing how we can have a positive, progressive future, rather than simply avoiding devastation.

Organize a more conscious democracy by engaging citizens in interactive dialogue through information technology tools, e.g. 'electronic town meetings'.

Foster reconciliation in terms of class, race, gender, etc., through telecommunications in a global media, where 'the whole world is watching' and old polarities and human rights violations cannot be hidden.

Keywords: consumerism, information technologies, co-evolution