ARTICLE .15 Humanicide: From Myth to Risk A History and Two Possible Futures for Western Globalisation

Chris C. Stewart Australian Foresight Institute Australia

Abstract The Fisher King myth provides an explanatory logic for reviewing globalisation: its past, present and potential.1 The conclusion is twofold.2 The real predicament of globalisation is simple survival. Then, the quality of that survival. Humanity is, for the first time in history, poised on multiple fronts to wilfully or negligently com- mit humanicide: the annihilation of our species to all but a stranded handful.3 Both survival and its quality involve the whole of humanity. They speak to the consequences that are integral to any choices we make, as individuals, communities, nations, and, as a species. This Fisher King mythic interpretation of Western globali- sation identifies the outlines of the risk profile for humanity in the 21st Century, and, speaks to a global agenda for action.

Approaching Globalisation tive multiple meanings in different contexts. (Sheil 2001: 6) Globalisation requires an approach that can embrace "Thus we arrive at today: a project of synthesis, an each of these expansive subtleties of difference. integral age at the leading edge...just now beginning with Globalisation's most common dimensions of refer- the dawn of the new millennium." ~ Ken Wilber ence include governance, economics, security, culture In recent human history few topics could rival the and the environment. More dimensions will likely join amount of writing and diversified debate carried out in these ranks in the decades to come. It seems as if every the name of globalisation. Globalisation is a topic that major system of knowledge and activity in humanity has no voice seems to have a definitive word on, no author something to say about globalisation, some way of appears to forward the most credible knowledge about, relating to it, critiquing it, adding to it. Globalisation is, and no mind seems to be able to grasp and communi- at the very least, global in its reach into human affairs. cate in its entirety. The continuing debate about how Any approach to globalisation needs to address this fea- to even define the word "globalisation" is an example of ture, and it is fair to say that any competent considera- the nature of the approach the topic demands. tion will also include, or at the very least need to leave Globalisation is multi-dimensional, for each dimension room for including, as many of these as possible. This there are multiple perspectives, and for each perspec- requires of globalisation thinkers, the ability to consider

Journal of Futures Studies, May 2005, 9(4): 15 - 28 Journal of Futures Studies

not only a single discipline of knowledge, or inequalities and dominance of economic ration- even systems of systems of activity seen within ality, an international governance crisis, rising one paradigm, but rather to be "pluralistic", or cultural hegemonies, a lack of average personal "aperspectival" in not unduly privileging any development, and new forms of security chal- particular partial perspective. (Wilber 2000: 159- lenges among others. In light of the criteria for 163) globalisation thinking above it needs to be The search for simplicity on the other side asked if the discourse surrounding any of these of globalisation's complexity awaits human priorities can adequately relate to, accommo- kind. Many have contributed efforts that date, and favourably influence the predicaments attempt to embrace the diverse dimensions of seen in the others? Is this itself the real global globalisation. Few efforts are held in high predicament? The implicit requirement pre- regard however, across different disciplines, or sented by this theme is that approaches to glob- in different contexts. This search for a common alisation need to address humanity's priorities. simplicity, for an acceptable understanding of The globalisation agenda for discussion, deci- the affairs of globalisation, is an implicit theme sion-making and action needs to be set at a in most writings on globalisation. There is an global level. inherently human desire for a map of globalisa- It is important to note that globalisation tion that affords a meaningful logic to guide our itself is not the cause, nor necessarily, a prob- thinking, decisions and actions in relationship lem. It is the forms that globalisation takes, or to both global realties and potentialities. It how we as a species globalise, that counts, and appears any credibly comprehensive approach where the real site of humanicide is emerging to globalisation needs not only to be pluralistic, from. Many positive and viable futures are pos- or aperspectival, but also integrative. To grasp sible, although, they're not where we are cur- globalisation then, an approach that is "cross- rently heading. This paper does not serve to paradigmatic" or employs "integral-aperspec- offer yet another solution to an ill conceived tivism" is required.4 problem, but rather review the problems in our To date, the common integrative approach current forms of globalisation, and invite the taken is to focus on one dimension of globalisa- reader to revisit their conceptions of solutions. tion, and then draw on the multitude of issues in relationships of causality and prioritisation. Many of these efforts are extremely illuminating The Fisher King Myth and valuable. They do however, attract the criti- "No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels cism that they champion one knowledge disci- responsible" ~ Voltaire pline's perspective over others, or they are in The Fisher King myth holds many structur- some manner, and usually concurrently, deri- al similarities to the issue of globalisation, both sive of other valid positions. To achieve an inte- in its rise, and current status. It also affords a gral-aperspectival approach to globalisation the useful summary interpretation and understand- thinker's disposition needs to be global in its ing of direction in relationship to it. The Fisher altruism. It needs to embrace concern for the King myth has repeatedly been re-interpreted entirety of humanity and its relevant concerns, and communicated in Western civilisation and, some argue, for all sentient life. It would through the centuries, including in the twenti- require therefore, a personal identity that holds eth century.6 The version being re-interpreted an outlook of universal care and concern.5 here is from Robert Johnson's "The Fisher King A common theme in most writings on and the Handless Maiden" (1993).7 globalisation is an effort to define the most Johnson (1993: 12) reasons that "the important predicament it presents, with its twelfth century began so many of the issues cause/s, effect/s and possible solution/s. that we struggle with today. It has been said Predicaments vying for pre-eminence include that the winds of the twelfth century have 16 the degradation of the environment, the become the whirlwinds of the twentieth. Thus Humanicide: From Myth to Risk

we can profitably look at the road maps of and the more commonly acknowledged ones of Western civilisation laid down in the formative Greek and Roman heritage, the great Western time of our modern world to gain some per- Enlightenment began with the renaissance and spective on the maze we encounter today." moved through numerous revolutions of politi- Indeed, this is exactly what this paper will be cal and social power, based on new relation- doing. ships between thought and nature (human and The format for presenting the Fisher King otherwise). (Bronowski 1975) The major power Myth will be a selection of writings, historical shifts can be seen in the secularisation of activi- events and a general social-cultural commentary ties from religious domination. Rousseau "secu- recounting a globalisation interpretation of this larised the problem of evil" in human nature as myth. For those not familiar with the story, a "Machiavelli had done for politics and Galileo short summary of the structural activity of the for science." (Bronowski 1975: 285) Separating, myth culled primarily from Johnson's telling, that is, the validity of different domains of and a statement regarding the psychological life, what Ken Wilber (2000: 60) refers to as the disposition (variously the motivation, reason big three "value spheres of arts, morals and etc) of the character as applied to Western civili- science," from the mythic religious institutions sation for each Act is provided in an endnote.8 and their control through theology. Often known by the title of Thomas Paine's Act 1 – Development & Wounding "The Age of Reason", the Western enlighten- The past millennium has seen the growth ment's major outcome was the industrial revo- of Western civilisation into its young adult lution, which laid the technological grounds for stage: the fully armed, trained and expectant today's globalisation. In what was an "age of prince. The West's wounding in failing to inte- empires" around the globe, the Western Empire grate its foundations (and those seen in other rapidly advanced in comparison, because the cultures), and its persistent grasp for global West excelled at the codification of knowledge dominance, that is at once noble and corrupt, through empiric scientific principles and the sys- idealistic and frighteningly effective, a bold temisation of mass production.9 (Pacey 1990) grasp for a unitary vision that's been incredibly With this rapid rise in social, political, eco- rewarding yet terrifyingly destructive, is the tale nomic, and military power came strident indi- of a generatively wounded youth. Despite the vidualism, political liberalism, the resurgence of fact that the successes include holding the keys democracy, and the advent of free-market capi- to further health and fulfilment the West does- talism. (Bronowski 1975) Consistent through n't seem to recognise how to use them. each of these developments is an inherited fea- The early "teenage" years of the West, the ture of the West's Christian conditioning: the renaissance, are often glorified, with the teach- notion of the right to control nature.10 ers forgotten, and the weaknesses rarely paid Hindsight shows that these social-cultural devel- attention. In this age, Bronowski and Mazlish opments are the mark of a particular modern (1975: 19) observe Western society was "sud- worldview: instrumental-rationality. (Slaughter denly disclosed" to a "store of wealth and power 1999: 50-51, 341) The rational-instrumental in the world which they were too stunned and worldview propelled each of these develop- intoxicated to use well." Arnold Pacey (1990) ments and revolutions, nurturing their growth highlights how the West was the inheritor of into the very character of Western civilisation. early technological advancements by others. The main feature of this worldview throughout These were gained through a "cultural dialogue" this time was its increasing reliance on empiri- with the Chinese, Indian, and Islamic civiliza- cal science as the primarily valuable locus of tions, and even from perceived primitive cul- truth.11 tures, such as African farmers and Artic Inuit The cultural dominance of a narrow empir- hunters. ical science led to a civil society emboldened by Building on these sources of development, its own achievements and, in respect of the 17 Journal of Futures Studies

truth of the West's accomplishments, enabled than negotiations, commerce, or cultural inter- its constituent countries to explore the entire action...A revolution would be required to bring globe beginning in the 1500's. It wasn't until the Pentagon back under democratic control." the 1800's, however, that Western civilisation The effects on other cultures, and on truly expanded to cover the globe (Curtin 2002: nature in general, have not been light. To take 1-3) and inaugurated the age of global Western but one example, the very earth, with its flora Empires which continues to this day. and fauna that not only the West but the whole Philip Curtin (2002) presents how this of Humanity depends upon, is being consumed, expansion was strikingly different from the polluted and driven to extinction. As Edward "comparatively peaceful" trading Diaspora set- Wilson (2002: 102, 43, 130) sombrely concludes tlements that date back to at least the "earliest the West "has so far played the role of planetary urban societies of Mesopotamia." It was one of killer. [We're] in a struggle with the rest of life. conquest and colonisation in the name of civili- The issue, like all great decisions, is moral." ty, progress and a god given right over the The young West has grown fast, travelled domain of nature, women and primitive cul- abroad, achieved astounding accomplishments, tures.12 and yet become wounded, and fiercely Western Empires undoubtedly brought repressed its foundational nature – in it self and numerous advancements to far-flung cultures in others. The Princely West knows something while the West gained new insights for its trou- is wrong, but isn't sure exactly what – or what bles as well. In this process the geographic, to do. The West has the power in almost every economic/trade and political steps to the global- domain of human life to achieve anything it sets isation of today were laid. Major changes in cul- its will to. Healing development, however, has- tural and political consciousness accompanied n't come to mind. The project continues as a in the cornucopia born of Western democracy: Princely Knight must go on to be King. the abolition of slavery, the "declaration" of human rights and many significant others. Act 2 – Wounded Existence & Temporary Nearing the end of the Nineteenth Century the Relief imperialist thrust gave way to an exponential Enamoured with its own prestige, yet lan- prosperity for Western countries and the devel- guishing in its unique pain of position, the opment of global communications and trade Kingly West has all the resources needed to infrastructure. heal the kingdom, his very world. Many of the In the Twentieth Century the horrors of King's subjects are able to benefit. These are industrial scientific gains, without the balance of the "willing or not" of the "developing" and equal moral and artistic gains influencing the "third" world. The King, however, seems unable socio-economic-political spheres, became mani- to create the solution to his wounding. The fest within Western civilisation. This past West has been unable to fully claim and exer- century saw the advent of two World Wars cise its own power in a transformative, healing punctuated by a Great Depression which was way. The Kingly West, instead, persists on the then followed by a protracted Cold War. same old track of progress or bust, scientific Industrialisation proceeded apace, with military rational-instrumentalism or nothing, denying based technology, strategy and economics the value of the "primitive" nature and the femi- becoming the main underwriter of globalisa- nine. The West increasingly finds relief in enter- tion's climb back from the three Great Horrors tainment, the global casino of currency fluctua- of modernity. Chalmers Johnson (2004: 12) tions, euphemistic efforts at global harmony, observes that the United States, the bulkhead of and similar sideways progress, rather than gen- Western civilisation, has "undergone a transfor- uine development. In the process, other sub- mation from republic to empire that may well jects suffer the consequences of the King's self- prove irreversible...[it] prefers to deal with other inflicted wounding. 18 nations through the use or threat of force rather Humanicide: From Myth to Risk

Due to its role in the Second World War, seemed to be thinly veiling special interests... one country of the West, the United States, frank discussion was discouraged – there was attained a unique ascendency of military and no room for it." economic power. Jonathon Schell (2001: 20) The title of Linda Polman's (2003:8) eye- observes that more important than defeating witness accounts of UN peace keeping in "We the Nazi imperialism is the reality that "the poli- Did Nothing: Why the Truth Doesn't Always tics of mass annihilation, even as they were Come Out When the UN Goes In," says it all. going down to defeat in Hitler's bunker, were in Polman's comments on the reality of the UN 1945 transferred to the care of Washington." In peacekeeping forces for example, are obvious, this shadow of accomplishment the Wilsonian but disturbing none the less: "the bloodier the ideal was established in the West and still consequences of the UN principles, the greater informs United States international relations to the pressure [for governments] to wriggle out this day. Its import is one that claims that it is of responsibility. By consistently talking about better to lead and control for the benefit of all if the UN as if it were an independent functioning you can see "others" are less developed. Global organisation, the interested parties have suc- development programs were started with the ceeded in making the public believe that the UN best intent of the West, on the surface, and has a life of its own...[it is] jargon, familiar but dubious outcomes for the mainly third world meaningless." The vacuity of moral develop- countries in reality. As Chomsky (2003) continu- ment shown by the globalised West in the face ally points out the power of the West, in com- of economic global affairs is unmistakable – parison to the rest of the world, has led to many wounded indeed. It is so habituated to its "eco- abuses of position, hypocrisy through covert nomic fundamentalism" and scientific "techno- activities and coercion, and incompetence with logical wonderland" that it can't even see what drastic consequences. is in its own best interests in the long run. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), The same impulse to empire that charac- The World Bank, first the General Agreement terised the West's youth is still at play, and still on Trades and Tariffs (GATT) then The World lead by a naïve adhesion to unbridled rational Trade Organisation (WTO), and the United instrumentality. Now seen mostly in the United Nations (UN), all established under the auspices States version of Western civilisation, the efforts of, and driven by, the United States, have con- at global expansion are derided, in most if not tinued this theme in both the eyes of "insiders" all, of the varied dimensions of globalisation and those "outside". For example, Joseph including economic, corporate, legal, military, Stiglitz (2003), Nobel prize winner for econom- environment, culture and even in the colonisa- ics and past chief of the World Bank, argues tion of space.13 The current political power that "the IMF often seems to confuse means base in the United States is well understood with ends, thereby losing sight of what is ulti- through their not-for-profit organisation called mately of concern." On the WTO Walden Bello the "Project for a New American Century." The (2001: xiv) notes that "many countries realised project is "dedicated to a few fundamental that in signing on...they had signed away their propositions: that American leadership is good right to development." The Argentinean loan both for America and for the world [and] that default, the Asian currency crisis, and the flawed such leadership requires military strength." 14 transition to capitalism in parts of the former This hegemonic belief is driven by an Soviet Union in the 1990s, among other arguably noble intent and a worldview that instances, have been argued as examples of the brooks no viable alternatives. In "The Lexus and failure of hegemonic institutions beholden to a the Olive Tree" Thomas Friedman's (2000: 378) "market fundamentalism." As Stiglitz summaris- presents a slightly more open appraisal, of this es the situation, "Decisions were made on the painful position of power from the perspective basis of what seemed a curious blend of ideolo- of the West, concluding that "America will use gy and bad economics, dogma that sometimes its assets wisely, and I don't think I'm alone in 19 Journal of Futures Studies

this rational exuberance." The name of people closed to experience and ideas from the Friedman's book is an apt corollary to the rest of the world and thereby increases the insu- theme of the King who is grasping for the high- larity, self-absorption, and ignorance that is the er technological development of the "Lexus" overriding problem the rest of the world has while needing to integrate the fundamental with Americans." From another perspective, nature, identity, and roots of the "olive tree". that of the United States' foreign policy bring The consequences are seen throughout the driven by militarism, Chalmers (2004: 9) warns Western world. In the Middle East, for exam- the West that "the blowback from the second ple, technology is leading to better ways for the half of the twentieth century has only just Israeli and Palestinians (to a much lesser degree) begun." 15 to kill one another, not facilitate their needed In "The Unfinished Twentieth Century" establishment on their valued land: their olive what troubles Jonathon Schell (2001: xi) most, tree grove and connection with Mother Nature. in the context of blowback, is that there are still In Australia, another satellite Western state, the "some 30 000 nuclear weapons in the world." same wounded misjudgement is playing out. Schell argues that continued proliferation of First the indigenous inhabitants were decimat- nuclear arms, and other weapons of mass ed through "true colonisation", then their surviv- destruction, is directly related to American for- ing kin were destructively "managed", and now eign policy. In light of this Schell (2001: 105) the indigenous population is a public "problem". concludes that the real danger for humanity is if (Bell 1998) This wound still bleeds and is only the West's "response to the growing new threat growing worse. Many more examples can be of annihilation is war, the result will be new acts found on every continent attractive enough to of annihilation. The world is sick. It cannot be the Western Empires. cured with America's new wars." Repeating the John Pilger (2003: 2-3) argues that the same mistake expands the same wounding. ''global economy' is a modern Orwellian The Kingly West has made some progress, term...beneath this gloss, it is the globalisation however, within itself and in helping other of poverty. Those with unprecedented cultures. The West has gradually been fulfilling resources to understand this...suppress their the promise of democracy with, for example, knowledge publicly." For each positive dimen- the rise of the feminist movement and the sion of globalisation there seems to be some- move of their avant guard into a more healthy one ready to argue the same injustice and lack post-modernism. Many other countries have of moral fibre by those who can know better. also drunk of the West's cup of plenty. Philippe Many, without the same privileges, have taken Legrain (2002: 52) argues that to reduce pover- it further than mere dialogue. Terrorism is ty, and the many other ills now seen in the glare arguably the new catch cry for the necessity of of globalisation, "economic growth through Western imperialism in the 21st Century. While trade is the only answer." Legrain (2002: 49) the causes are numerous the same wounding is insists it has already proven itself, observing at play. Philosopher William Irwin Thompson that "everywhere you look in countries that (1996: ch1) contends that "terrorism is amateur have opened up to the world [the Western government...[as the] nation state undergoes an world of free market liberalism] there are signs electronic meltdown in which archaic forms sur- of hope: poor people scrambling to make a bet- face in new formations." The repressed, "oth- ter life...the crucial thing is they are better off ered" of instinctive and "primitive" societies and than they were before." In similar fashion the sub-cultures are symptoms the Kingly West famed Indian economist Jagdish Bhagwati can't seem to ease. In seeking to explain these (2004) also argues strongly that economic glob- symptoms, Sardar and Davies (2003) in "Why alisation is helping to not only alleviate poverty Do People Hate America", point to the Kingly but also improve worker conditions, human West's method of relief arguing that "the power rights, gender equality, and much more, around 20 of the American media works to keep American the globe. Humanicide: From Myth to Risk

Indeed, it is just this success in rapid indus- economic globalisation. This is emblematic of trialisation and modernisation that the West what Clive Hamilton (2003: xvi) calls the West's had prided itself on that is making, for Samuel "Growth Fetish", the belief that "to find happi- Huntington, "The Clash of Civilisations" the ness they must be richer, regardless of how main shape of the early 21st Century. For wealthy they already are." Not only does the Huntington (1996: 121), it is the economic glob- West suffer a "media amnesia" of history, both alisation of other countries, and their "youth ancient and modern, and thus blindness to its bulge" in contrast to declining fertility rates in own discovered facts about happiness, health Western countries, that will lead to "deeply and evolution, but so too the majority of its destabilising effects on the Western-dominated constituent population and any other cultures established international order." No doubt who "Westernise". The West's politics, media, many shortcuts have become available to devel- and society wide value-schema is beholden to oping countries because of the Western pio- this conviction, one that sees people with more neering effort with the enlightenment project. wealth and possessions than any human in his- The West's unhealthy emphasis on rational tory, still "needing" more. instrumentality, however, is dangerous warns A large part of this "more" is the enormous Huntington (1996: 154): "the Western virus, focus of westernised people's time and once it is lodged in another society, is difficult resources "spent" on the entertainment and to expunge." fashion industries where William Thompson The insight is that it is Westernisation that (1996: ch1) says every "citizen who is "morph- causes the problem not modernisation per-se. ing" into the loyal subject of the media In failing to "organically" modernise, developing demands participation in the pageantry." The countries risk "infecting" their cultures, and Kingly West's relief through fascination with the repeating the wounding of the Kingly West. As fish of transcending "ordinary" reality, through Amy Chua (2003: 7-9) demonstrates wholesale media quasi-celebrity participation, has done lit- Western styled modernisation has generally tle to reveal the healing insight it holds, if only concentrated "enormous wealth in the hands of in metaphor, where "the medium is the mes- an "outsider" minority." These "market minori- sage."16 Instead, another Marshall McLuhan ties" in developing countries "produce highly claim seems to be the way the West lives out its unstable and combustible conditions." This is obsessive distraction from reality, sadly "every especially so when Western "global populist and media extension of man is an amputation." 17 democratic movements give strength, legitima- Thompson concludes that "fast-fame takeouts cy, and voice to the impoverished, frustrated, litter the information superhighway strips of the excluded masses of the world." Blowback from new electronic America," and argues that "now acting persistently in a wounding way. perhaps we can appreciate the [terrorist] cults. The wounding of the West is seen clearly Paranoia is one reaction to living in an informa- in the way its culture seeks relief. According to tionally supersaturated solution in which the the Global Policy Forum global trade is "approxi- media never tell the truth and never really dis- mately $1.5 trillion per day...$50 trillion per year cuss the cultural options at stake." (about 17 percent) of foreign exchange trading In symbiotic opposition to the Kingly takes place with futures, options and derivatives West's wounding, by impaling itself on the to hedge against future exchange rate fluctua- "flatland" of rational instrumentality, is the relief tions...exchange rate speculation accounts for gained through a "fantasia" of hyper-con- the remaining transactions, at least 80 percent." sumerism, celebrity based credibility, imagina- (Hayward 2000: 3) Welcome to the "global casi- tive immersion and media amnesia.18 The King no", where money comes from money, an is wounded indeed, and pushing on with the abstraction on an abstraction, a highly imagina- same old plan, while it has benefited some of tive or subconscious impulse driven affair, the worldly subjects, is now starting to hurt where the wounded King gains relief and drives even more for both. A healing is required – if 21 Journal of Futures Studies

only there were someone with the insight to in value dispositions. In a world where values help. But only the desperate or the foolish were never invested in dialogue to the extent would challenge the King, right? the assumptive empirical science was, however, (and still is to a large extent), despite the rheto- Act 3 – The Fool & The Healing ric and ideals, the reality of "might equals right" One of the virtues of Western civilisation is held the day. the recorded history of heretics and critics of Yet the voices grew more populous and "the powers that be" in any age. As the West louder in the Twentieth Century. Slaughter has matured, its ability to provide for "freedom (1999: 342) reminds us that the famous novelist, of speech" has enabled these questioners to journalist and historian H. G. Wells's critical "A flourish, relative to its past habits of gruesome Modern Utopia" became, at the end of his life, death penalties. Having their space to speak, "Mind at the End of its Tether". Fast-forward to however, doesn't always mean they are heard. the turn of the 21st Century and "George Soros Perhaps, like the young Fool, they were too on Globalisation". Soros (2002) is acknowl- softly spoken or a solitary voice against the din edged as one of the richest players of the "glob- of the Kings progress. As the King has aged, al casino". Yet even a King of Kings now recog- however, so has the Fool. Tiring of a life and nises the wounding, and, levelling criticisms at kingdom without more transcendence, the "market-fundamentalism", is warning that the obvious place to go is to see the King, the ruler West can't afford to ignore "globalisation's dis- of the Fool's world. contents" and their message any longer. Richard Slaughter (1999: 341) observes The Western cultural experiments of the that while the King's wounded persistence with nineteen sixties was, of sorts, just that. Minor instrumental rationality "seems unquestioned, and less violent in comparison to history's revo- unstoppable, hegemonic...[it] was never fully lutions, its opening to the contextualisation of convincing. From the earliest days there have knowledge and post-modernism, the growing been protests, counter-currents, critiques and of equality of women in Western societies, and traditions that held out other possibilities, the a push for alternative values, amongst other seeds of quite different futures." focuses, hasn't, unfortunately, gone far. It did, Even in the genesis of the "Age of Reason", however, till the soil for an increasing number one of its fathers Niccolo Machiavelli, John of social justice movements at the turn of the Ralston Saul (1992:42) points out in "Voltaire's 21st Century. Nomi Klein collects the eclectic Bastards: The Dictatorship of Reason in the critique of the dominate forms of globalisation, West", was recognised as coming from "the effected by the Kingly West's wounding, in dark side". Saul notes that the "humanists of books like "No Logo". Klein (2002: xxi) argues the renaissance attacked him violently" and that Western "globalisation is now on trial quotes Diderot, a contemporary, who describes because on the other side of these virtual fences his efforts as "a detestable political system are real people...locked-out people, whose serv- which can be summed up in two words – the ices are no longer needed, and whose lifestyles art of tyranny." 19 are written off as 'backward'." The King can't Most of the voices of dissent and alterna- repress the "nature" of his subjects without tives were written out of easily accessible there being some kind of blowback. records of history, as the now common adage Many others have deconstructed and explains, because "the winner writes the histo- exposed how the wounding of the Kingly West ry". In the full-blown industrial revolution Karl is playing out. A multitude of robust and Marx is remembered most. Yet his criticisms detailed critiques abound. Saul reminds us in stayed within the realms of the economic sys- lengthy tomes that the West has become tem, and while insightful, amount to little more "addicted to a particular set of illusions in order than a debate internal to rational instrumentali- to avoid coming to terms with its own reality." 22 ty. To be fair it was a debate pitting differences (1993: 13) Jose Ramos reminds us that the field Humanicide: From Myth to Risk

of Critical Futures Studies was pioneered by ther transcendence and growth. (Bell 1998) Slaughter in response to the hegemony of the Such efforts appreciate the predicament of both King's wounding. Quoting Slaughter, Ramos the wounded King and the nature embedded (2003: 15) highlights that "Western people have, Fool. Their weaknesses are overcome through on the whole, become alienated from the Earth their integration of strengths. which supports them, to the waste and destruc- Yet, as Peter Singer (2002) argues in "One tion associated with the expansion of the indus- World: The Ethics of Globalization", "there is trial system and to alternative values, ideas and one great obstacle to further progress in this ideologies...[the critical approach] challenges direction. It has to be said, in cool but plain lan- prevailing notions of 'progress,' and rescues the guage, that in recent years the international debate from ethnocentricity and technological effort to build a global community has been determinism." 20 hampered by the repeated failure of the United It is becoming clearer, book by book, com- States to play its part." And Michael Mazarr munity organisation after international non- (1999) concludes "fate has provided us with the profit organisation, and novel activist action raw material of a new renaissance in human after political protest, that the population of the society, but it is up to us to make that renais- West is waking up like the Fool and growing sance a reality." tired of the wounding. The Foolish are rising To enable this responsibility taking, many from their embeddings in nature and seeking a who contemplate globalisation deeply point to healthy integration with the Kingly West's evolving a universal worldview, a global con- progress, an integration of the scientific, with sciousness, as the crucial imperative. Without the moral and artistic spheres of value. All it, writes Ervin Lazlo (1997), "entering the 21st importantly, they are asking the crucial ques- Century with the consciousness that hallmarked tions of the King, and even proposing viable the 20th century would be like entering the alternatives to the West's current growth strate- modern age with the consciousness of the gies. Middle Ages. It would not only be inappropri- John Cavanagh (2002), and others from the ate, but dangerous." Indeed, continuing the International Forum on Globalisation, in wounding, would be suicide. "Alternatives to Economic Globalization", point The alternatives, including integrations out that there are real alternatives which can and the disposition of responsibility in relation- heal the West and serve the health and contin- ship to the Holy Grail of Western progress, are ued growth of the world. Numerous other being taken up. They are also available to all in pathways are also presented with, for example, the West who want healing. One name for Paul Hawken et al. (1999) proposing in "Natural many of these approaches is "integral" because Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial they openly integrate each of the value spheres Revolution" that integrations without major separated in the age of reason along with the losses for the West, without that is the King los- fundamental wisdom of nature and the signifi- ing his throne, are indeed possible. The Fools cant wisdom of transcendence and continuing can see how to use the Holy Grail of develop- evolution.21 ment. With the emergence of Integral studies the Indigenous cultures, the "primitive Fool" in West has a means for answering the question of colonial Western eyes, are also gaining some responsibility. The questioning Fools have measure of voice. In Australia, for example, one always been present. But now in middle age, initiative at integrating the indigenous wisdom and having come into their power, and with the of the Aborigines with the gains of Western King getting older and still playing out the same enlightenment is the "Bush University" where wounding, the Fool is even more instinctually youth from both cultural civilisations are sure of needing to help the Kingly West by schooled in each other's societies and guided to pointing to the inherent responsibility for heal- healthy integrations along the pathway to fur- ing. Only time will tell, however, if the King and 23 Journal of Futures Studies

his court heed the message and use the Holy 21st Century plays out are well worth it. A truly Grail of the gains of the Western enlighten- sustainable globalisation is achieved. ment, and its gift of the "information age", to heal and whole himself and his world on the way to a viable, sustainable globalisation. A Negative Future History Despite the instinct of the Fool, the Kingly Envisaging Humanity's Future West ignores his questions and continues on. Gradual changes do occur, but not fast enough. The remainder of the Fisher King myth The wounding of the Kingly West has become plays out positively. Yet in this paper's re-inter- so critical that without healing he may fatally pretation it represents only one alternative end- disrupt the international order of development. ing: an alternative future history for humanity at This future history sees the Kingly West fail to the dawn of the 21st Century. At least one make sufficient changes before its societies start other possibility, an "opposite" ending, is also to crumble from the inside out. Concurrently, suggested by the myth. Other myths would due to the continued perception, if not reality, certainly provide different interpretations, and of imperialistic activities by Western countries, pose different future alternatives. In keeping particularly the United States, the enraged Fools with the mythic Fisher King story, however, of less developed countries (and its own inter- structural outlines and psychological interpreta- nal "minorities") increasingly, violently, attack. tions are offered for both main alternative The wounded West can't see how to adequately futures in endnote.22 bring healing and defeat, or at least to calm, the Fool. In persisting with an instrumental ration- ality led imperialist drive, the West either inad- A Positive Future History vertently or suicidally brings about the destruc- There are enough Fools who have come tion of human society as it is currently known, into their own power, and are instinctively ask- sacrificing much of a millennia of "expensive" ing the questions, for each King in the West. progress. This future history sees the West either make gradual or dramatic, changes in international The Risk of Humanicde relations and domestic policies that affect the whole of humanity. Although not without war, The current situation of globalisation can diseases, other calamities, reversals, and pauses be seen in light of both of the possible alterna- along the way, the West provides the leader- tive future histories outlined. It is the possibility ship that integrates their own relationship with of the negative alternative, however, that holds nature (and the three value spheres of arts, the risk profile for humanity in the 21st Century. morals and science) in a healthy way: achieving While the Kingly West's lack of heeding balanced development. This integration is the Fool's question has been the problem, for reflected outwardly in their relationship with hundreds of years, the possible consequences other countries and cultures. Humanity is, now are radically different. If the King fails to through new forms of consensus and leader- heed the Fool, and integration is not achieved, ship, able to avert many of the potential disas- further development may become wholly ters looming in the West's hard won progress, untenable. The wounding could prove fatal. start corrective action for much of the damage Writ large in a heavily interconnected world, done (namely in order to prevent more), and delicately poised on numerous critical systems, generally increase the quality of life for humani- the collapse of this empire could easily bring ty as a whole. The West has to make many sac- about the near extinction of humanity. This rifices to do so, and is no longer the dominate could be the century of Humanicide: the annihi- 24 power in global affairs, but the benefits as the lation of the majority of humanity. Humanicide: From Myth to Risk

Within Integral theory it is acknowledged food chain or in humans, a nanotechnology that there are two forces acting on setting device that wipes out the human food supply or Integral priorities. The first is that of "funda- even unstoppably attacks human lives, or a mentals" – the things that affect the whole: the toxic spill of unprecedented proportions that basic building blocks and the influences thereof. wipes out sufficient marine life to irrevocably Second is that of "significance" – the highest destroy humanity's food chain. There are many quality features that the whole serves to sup- similar possibilities but what they all have in port. If the significant features are lost the common is three things: whole continues on with the possibility of They could all lead, quite swiftly, to the "regrowth". If the fundamentals are lost, the eradication of the majority of humanity: whole is destroyed. Humanicide; Each of the problems that various Fools They are all the responsibility of humani- have brought to the attention of the King can ty – they will, or won't, occur depend- generally be seen as either fundamental or sig- ing on what humanity does; and, nificant. They have each, in one way or anoth- They are each increasingly more likely as er, been labelled as a predicament of globalisa- the "wounding" of the Kingly West con- tion. Most of the predicaments mentioned in tinues to become more critically pro- the globalisation debate fall into the category of nounced and the instinctive Fool significant: it would be good if incomes were becomes increasingly enraged. relatively balanced, for example, or if there was These fundamental predicaments, then, a fairer global system of governance, justice, define the edges of Humanicide that are the and democratic participation. The key features fundamental global predicament in the early mentioned in the mythic interpretation above, 21st Century. The primary cause of these is the however, are ones encroaching on being funda- failure of the Kingly West to apply a healthy def- mental in nature. Many significant features inition of growth and development to the set- were also mentioned and there is room for the ting of the global agenda for humanity. inclusion of many more. It is the fundamental It is the causal influences upon these types features, however, that vie to qualify as the real of fundamental predicaments that need to be predicament of globalisation in the 21st attended to. This is the global priority. Armed Century. These could lead to Humanicide. The with the insight, of needing to combine instinc- other predicaments are a matter of quality, and tive nature and the three value spheres into a while significant, they are inherently open to higher-order integration, and thus redefining debate. growth and development, a rigorous list of pos- sible Humanicide causes needs to be identified. Then, in each dimension of human activity, the Setting the Global Agenda activities contributing to them need to be The fundamental predicaments, if subject- "healed". Only then can humanity move on to ed to a threshold or tipping point analysis, the more significant predicaments of globalisa- would sort the contenders down to a ranked tion. Move on, that is, to healthy development, list of "most likely to occur". The predicaments to improving the quality of human existence in on such a priority list, if not attended to swiftly, the 21st Century, one free from the probability could cause Humanicide. Without averting of Humanicide. these, there is no possibility of debating the merits of the other "quality" category of "signifi- Correspondence cant" predicaments. The contenders are the likes of nuclear Chris C. Stewart holocaust, dramatic increases in global warm- [email protected] ing, a bio-tech experiment gone wrong in the 25 Journal of Futures Studies

Notes "female hierarchy of moral stages" and Wilber's "moral span." 1. This paper was developed in response to a 6. The Fisher King myth is part of the Holy Grail request for an Integral theory analysis of myths associated most popularly with King globalisation. The integral methodology Arthur's court, and may easily be analysed underpins the identification of the criteria for according to Campbell's archetype hero's approaching globalisation, and situates the journey. It has been cast into operas, stage value of using myth as a mass communica- plays, poems, Hollywood movies and many tion educational device. To review the other forms. methodological basis for this essay, see its 7. Johnson is a noted Jungian analyst, and first unedited draft here: http://www. author of a dozen books on human psychol- emergence.net.au/articles/humanicide.pdf ogy and mythology. One major weakness of 2. There is a very real risk that because a this myth is that it suits a predominately Westerner is using a Western myth to masculine plot. A feminine companion is analyse Western dominated activities, that presented in Robert Johnson's psychological typical Western biases may usurp any cer- interpretation of this myth, called "The tainty that the analysis is sound and applica- Handless Maiden." While it too might offer ble across numerous cultural perspectives many insights into our experience of globali- and contexts. While an attempt is made to sation, it is not as well suited. This is keep the analysis openly critical, the very because the majority of globalisation's activi- nature of a civilisationally relevant myth ty, and targets for ameliorating action, is being used as its analysis is that any blind dominated by masculine efforts. Masculine spots could very well remain blind to both here does not necessarily refer to male and the author and Western readers. This is, female, but rather the principle of masculine unfortunately unavoidable in this format. energy as understood within psychological Any insights readers from different cultural typologies of gender. backgrounds may have are invited to be sent 8. THE FISHER KING MYTH – ACT 1 to the author for any future revisions of this A young prince yet to come into his power, paper. beset with all the outer symbols of prestige, 3. Appropriately (fortunately?), for this state- sets out in the name of love and high ideals ment of Humanicide being a relatively new to claim his knighthood through the experi- phenomena, the term has little recorded use ence of demonstrating it. The prince finds a and in that, contested meanings. The mean- camp in his kingdom, and discovers a brutish, ing in this paper is one taken from a review un-titled knight returning victorious from bat- of definitions of mass murder, in a transcend tle in the "holy lands." Switching dramatically and inclusion fashion: homicide (one or from high ideal, to youthful impulse, the more people), genocide (a race of people), prince kills the brutish knight, but is "genera- democide (a politically, often state spon- tively" wounded in the process. Or, in anoth- sored murder, of a group of people), er telling, the prince eats of a salmon fish humanicide (murdering the majority of the cooking on a fire in the empty camp, and is human species), and omnicide (the death of thus wounded "generatively" by its scalding the majority of all earthly sentient species). heat. The Prince continues home, having For an exterior reference to this usage see acquired the Holy Grail of development, yet Heater (1996). doesn't know what its significance is. 4. Wilber (2000:167-8). For a definition of cross- paradigmatic see Commons et al (1998); for ACT 1 PSYCHOLOGY the relationship of cognitive abilities to a Our young hero is driven by the need to find global perspective, or a global holism see his place in the world, to claim his power and Wilber (2000a:44). A brief introduction to the status he was brought up to believe are cognitive hierarchical complexity thinking inherently his. He has all the expectations can be found online at: http://gseacademic. and the outward signs of being a knight, harvard.edu/~hcs/base/HC.shtml being one of power, but he is yet to earn it, 26 5. Wilber (2000:206/208). See entries for and thus anxious to do so. In encountering Kohlberg's "moral judgement," Gilligan's the brutish Knight, or eating the salmon, the Humanicide: From Myth to Risk

Prince denies the value of the previous level THE FISHER KING MYTH – ACT 3 of development in growth – in others, and Enter the Fool. The young Fool is a Knight himself. He rejects the instinctual manhood brought up as a commoner by his widowed grounded in nature and wisened experience, mother. A revealing fight leads him to travel or the basic rules of nature in the scolding to claim recognition of his birthright from the fish, because of desire and self-righteousness. King. Entering the castle, and being disap- For the same reasons, the Prince is also pointed at the sight of the wounded King, he grasping beyond his level of development travels on to develop his Knightly skills alone. before he is ready. He is thus generatively All the while the Fool remains cloaked in his wounded and his creative development is mother's home spun tunic. The Fool, in mid- distorted. He discovers the very key to his dle age, has claimed his Knighthood through healing, development, but because of his experience. Weary of a Knight's tasks, he wounding, doesn't understand its value accu- once again searches for the King's guidance rately, or how to relate to it authentically so and recognition. He enters the castle, and that it can help heal him. this time, seeing the Holy Grail serve health to all but the King asks him "whom does the THE FISHER KING MYTH – ACT 2 Grail serve?" Our young prince in time has become King. His wounding remains however, even affect- ACT 3 PSYCHOLOGY ing his subjects. The King languishes wound- While the fool is too young, and has yet ed in his castle, now the keeper of the Holy come into his own personal power, wisdom Grail. He holds the secret to healing. All his and need for transcendence, he can recog- kingdom can drink from the Holy Grail of nise the paucity of the wounded King. The growth, plenty, and wisdom of experience young fool is, in contrast to the King, overly (transcendence and integration). All that is, embedded in nature and instinct. The Fool but him. The only relief the King finds is in instinctually has the questions to ask the fishing alone. King, if only he believes he'll be heard. Sometimes, the Fool will ask the questions ACT 2 PSYCHOLOGY the first time he sees the King, however, gen- Development is distorted. If persistently fol- erally it's done too quietly and leaves little lowed in the same direction it will only make impact. The Fool moves on to learn alone matters worse. The schism of repression of through experience, without guidance. The the lower, from the evolving higher, becomes Fool has less pride and expectation about increasingly untenable. Relief is found in how to be a true Knight. Thus, in contrast to immersion in distraction, in the subcon- the expectant King when he was a young scious, in dreams and fantasies. Others Knight, the Fool comes into his own power around the King can benefit from his distort- while honouring those who enable him to ed development, but are keenly aware of the have it. wounded aspects, even if they don't know The Fool, tired of the lonely quest in middle what to do to help (if they're interested that age, and upon next seeing the King, having is, and in emulating the King's character of not lost his connection to nature and instinct, development, they're not likely to be). The immediately asks the obvious question. subjects may also reflect the King's wound- ing, or suffer the consequences of his mis- THE FISHER KING MYTH – ACT 4 – ALTER- guided judgement. The salmon fish of the NATIVE #1 wounding is now the focus of relief. The The King realises he holds the solution to his focus on the fish also holds a key to what is pain! If he claims the right and responsibility, required for healing development. The fish and makes the effort to drink of the Holy reflects 'Christ' consciousness, a message of Grail, it shall serve him. He does and is integration, balance and transcendence. The healed. He dies three days later, a successful King sees it, but doesn't understand what its and honoured King who will be remembered significance. for the achievement of his healing quest. 27 Journal of Futures Studies

PSYCHOLOGY dominately with Western science, its people The Fool reminds the King of his responsibili- and discoveries, with hardly a mention of ty, of the need for him to make the effort to the artistic or moral dimension of these connect with balance and transcendence in times. the form of the Hold Grail. Once the King 12. There was "true colonisation" by sheer num- does claim his power and humbly accepts the bers of inhabitants in what are now Canada, help of the Holy Grail, his life is complete. A the United States and Australia. A smaller, healthy and happy life and heritage can then but no less aggressive, British "territorial be shared with his peers and succeeding gen- empire" was established in countries like erations. India and Nigeria. And, in many instances the creation of "plural societies" through THE FISHER KING MYTH – ACT 4 – ALTER- minor settlings occurred in countries like NATIVE #2 "South Africa, Algeria, some South American The King fails to hear or heed the question of countries, such as Peru or Guatemala, and the Fool, and continues lamenting his many parts of the former Soviet Union." wounding. The Fool, dismissed, leaves the Colonisation, control and subjugation of the King's immediate realm and goes on to seek primitive societies encountered, was transcendence alone. Living without the undoubtedly the order of the era of the rise guidance of the King, the Fool remains mired of Western Empires. (Curtin 2002) in nature. Without healing the King's wound 13. On the new "space race," the current United grows worse, and eventually kills him, bring- States "National Security Space Architects" ing the destruction of the court and the very vision of "pioneering America's space Kingdom. pre-eminence," is seeking, in unveiled prac- ticalities, to contribute to "full spectrum PSYCHOLOGY dominance" by the United States "defence" Ignored or rejected by the King, the Fool sees forces. (Chomsky 2003: 229-30), and NSSA no recourse but to be as far away from the website: http://www.acq.osd.mil/nssa/ ) King's influence as possible. Without the 14. Organisation's website, see: www. guidance of the King's experience in transcen- newamericancentury.org dence however, the Fool is unable to differ- 15. Chalmers (2004) p 9. The term "blowback" entiate himself from his basic nature. The was coined in this context by Chalmers in Fool, if he can't find a place without relief his book (2000) Blowback: The Costs and from the King, a place to become his own Consequences of American Empire, King even, he will undoubtedly attack the Metropolitan Books, New York, USA. King with the anger of the repressed. The 16. Thompson (1996) ch 1., quoting Marshall King, unwilling or unable to heal himself McLuhan (1965) Understanding Media: The because of the humility of sacrifice involved, Extensions of Man, McGraw Hill, New York, finds his wounding all consuming and insuf- USA, p 45. ferable. The kingdom, his life, collapses into 17. Thompson (1996) ch 1., quoting Marshall disarray, and the King could become suicidal. McLuhan, unknown source. 9. It was the age of empires, Fernand Braudel 18. I am indebted to a personal communication reminds us in "Civilisation & Capitalism: The with Rommel De Leon for this wording of Perspective of the World." Along side the "fantasia", November 2003. growing Western civilisation was the "Mogul 19. Saul (1992:42), quoting Diderot, L'Encyclopedie, Empire in India, the Chinese and Persian vol.2, p 200. Empires, the Ottoman Empire, and the 20. Ramos is quoting Richard Slaughter (1982) Empires of the Tsars in Muscovy." (Braudel Critical Futures Studies and Curriculum (1985:54) Renewal, PhD dissertation, University of 10. For more on this theme, see Wilber (1999). Lancaster, England. 11. A recent example of this is the accessible 21. For an example of this integral approach in chronicles of the successes of this age by Bill the field of psychology see Wilber (2000). Bryson (2003) in "A Short History of Nearly 22. see note 8. 28 Everything." This book is concerned pre-