Governing Civilization through Civilizing Governance: global challenge for a turbulent future

Judge, Anthony

Alternative view of segmented documents via Kairos

6th April 2008 | Draft

Governing Civilization through Civilizing Governance

Global challenge for a turbulent future

-- / --

Prepared on the occasion of the 3rd Annual Conference organized by the Global Governance Group of the New School of Athens (NSOA): Theme: Making Global Governance Work: Lessons from the Past. Solutions for the Future (Athens, 2-5 April 2008). [In case of difficulties in printing/viewing this document, a PDF version may be more convenient]. Some arguments have been further developed in a sequel Towards Polyhedral Global Governance: complexifying oversimplistic strategic metaphors (2008)

Introduction: presentation sequence / structure
Preamble: meta-themes ("about" responding to the challenge)
Part A:
-- Contemporary "myths" governing the relationships of governance and civil society? (Fig. 1)
-- Civilizing governance vs Governance of civilization?
-- Potential response conventionally presented : "Thinking" and "Doing" (Fig. 2)
Part B:
-- Challenge of governance: metaphorical impoverishment?
-- Cognitive challenges of governance
-- A necessarily questionable "open source" articulation?
Part C:
-- Integrative schematic: Resolutique and Problematique -- with Imaginatique & Irresolutique (Fig. 3)
-- Circular configuration of Thinking/Doing categories (Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b)
-- Elaborating a richer "global identique"
-- Interdependence of governance / civil society initiatives (Fig. 5)
Part D:
-- Detailed articulation of tabular presentation of Thinking/Doing (with indicative documents)
References

Introduction: presentation sequence / structure

Consideration is first given, in a preamble, to the ways in which the challenges and opportunities of governance are explored -- seen as being fundamental to any improvement to the more obvious, frequently debated, issues of governance and civil society.

In Part A, this exploration first highlights a sets of "myths" governing the relationship between governance and civil society in a global context. It then notes a selection of past assessments of the challenges and status of non-state actors and relations to them and between them -- for the process of civilizing governance for the governance of civilization. This provides a context for a tabular checklist of 16 items of future "thinking" and "doing" in relation to governance.

In Part B, the probability is first highlighted that collective thinking regarding the future of governance, and the relations between organizations, is metaphorically impoverished in ways that inhibit the viable creativity that is increasingly essential. Consideration is then given to the cognitive challenges of governance in a knowledge-based society. However the present knowledge society is populated by a multiplicity of more or less definitive "models". What then follows is therefore most usefully considered as a "non-model" that highlights the design challenge of knowledge tools in support of governance that recognizes the interweaving dynamics of problematique, resolutique, imaginatique and irresolutique -- inspired by "open source" as a metaphor.

In Part C, an integrative schematic is then presented to hold resolutique and problematique together with imaginatique and irresolutique. This is then used to hold a circular representation of the tabular checklist in a simpler and more elaborate version. Their relevance to any global identique is then briefly discussed, prior to a tentative indication of the necessary interdependencies of the thinking/doing initiatives.

In Part D a detailed articulation of the contents of the tabular checklist (of Part A), with indication of relevant documents (containing their own checklists and appropriate references).

The considerations below follow from the author's former responsibility for the Yearbook of International Organizations, the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (from 1976) and development of their online databases -- through the Union of International Associations. This included development and maintenance of bibliographic databases on the problematique and resolutique, and included an International Organization Bibliography and Resources (from 1983). Web links to studies by the author in that context are used here as a means of elaborating specific arguments. [Whereas the following is a clustering from a governance perspective, a complementary clustering enphasizing a futures perspective is provided separately (Enabling Strategies for Viable Futures, 2009)].

Preamble: meta-themes ("about" responding to the challenge)

The way in which the challenges and opportunities of governance are explored is as much a part of the challenge as the insights and possibilities that emerge from that process and how it might be improved. Some considerations:

most of the topics have been (urgently) debated extensively over decades, raising the question of what is deficient in this process:
- Future of United Nations - Civil Society Relations: 257 questions in assessing the Report of the Panel of Eminent Persons in relation to the challenges of the 21st Century. 2004
- special attention has been given to the categories and functions of "civil society" as distinct from institutions of "governance" and of the "corporate" world of economic enterprise -- under various labels and in pursuit of various (partially undeclared) agendas
- particular attention has repeatedly been given (notably by social scientists with membership in such bodies) to the question of whether civil society is in any sense effective and has any genuine role to perform
it is readily assumed that social reality as it is experienced corresponds unambiguously, and for all concerned, to the categories which have been defined to apprehend it; this is notably the case with respect to "civil society" and its various components as discussed elsewhere:
there is consequently a degree of "definitional game-playing" (and diplomatic tokenism) that reinforces assumptions about how different actors can be targetted, positioned and mobilized, most recently evident in the post 9/11 conflation of legislation on dissident civil society bodies with anti-terrorism measures:
- Interacting Fruitfully with Un-Civil Society: the dilemma for non-civil society organizations, 1996
- Missiles, Missives, Missions and Memetic Warfare: navigation of strategic interfaces in multidimensional knowledge space, 2001
a stable context of distinct, well-bounded, concrete features tends to be assumed when an unstable, dynamic, porous, hybridizing and virtual context is increasingly demonstrated and predicted (as highlighted below):
- this notably applies to any relationship between: "governance" and "civil society", "static" and "non-static" actors, "legal" and "illegal" initiatives, "profit-making" and "non-profit-making" agendas, etc
- given the challenge of voter apathy, democratic deficit and broken commitments on deliverables, it is increasingly less important whether "government" has any useful appreciation of "civil society" and more important whether civil society has any appreciation of government
there is a probability that the same mistakes are made in reframing governance as have been encountered in responding to the problematique itself:
- mirroring: the "vehicles" for understanding are currently as generative of problems as automobiles
- inappropriate objectivity inhibiting appropriate self-reflexivity
- inappropriate answers inhibiting appropriate questions
- inappropriate directives inhibiting appropriate non-directives
- inappropriate projects inhibiting appropriate generative metaphors
given the questionable response to resolutions, declarations and global plans, the challenge for governance is to find better ways to elicit, order and communicate arrays of initiatives such as to render them collectively comprehensible, credible and engaging -- aesthetic approaches with mnemonic qualities may be the key:

There is therefore a case for reframing the "rules of engagement" with which these matters are envisaged and considered such as to:

factor in the above developments beyond current "myths"
provide specific points of focus: thinking and doing
explore the nature of any integrative context through which they can be credibly framed
shift cognitively "upstream" to an appropriately vigilant, self-reflexive "stance" (in martial arts terms)

Recognition of meta-challenges of global governance?

The significant problems we face can not be solved at the same level of thinking
we were at when we created them. (Einstein)

To repeat the same thing over and over again,
and yet to expect a different result, this is a form of insanity. (Einstein)

Contemporary "myths" governing the relationships of governance and civil society?

Figure 1: Relationships of governance and civil society?
Prevailing "myths"?	Emergent "reality"?
stable	dynamic (turbulent)
linear development	non-linear development (complex)
distinct, well-bounded	diffuse, porous
concrete (globalization)	virtual (globalization)
objective / explicit reality	subjective / implicit / tacit reality
factual, evidence-based reality	image-dependent, faith-based reality
geo-politically containable issue dynamics	subject to global geo-political issue dynamics
non-disruptive (predictable) surprises	disruptive (unpredictable) surprises (Black Swan)
probability of long-term evolution	probability of system collapse
culture independent	culture dependent
preference/bias independent	preference/bias dependent
personality independent	personality dependent
manageable information flows	information overload/underuse
adequate attention quality/time for governance	inadequate attention quality/time for governance
transparent "due processes"	non-transparent "undue processes" (classified, secret)
corruption-free processes	corruption-endemic processes
insensitivity to unforeseen feedback	hypersensitivity to unforeseen feedback
reliable allies / opponents	unreliable allies / surprising friendships
slowly changing allegiances	rapidly shifting allegiances
dependable/reliable actors/agents	unreliable (rogue) agents/actors
tradition-dependent viability	change-dependent viability
reliability of "tried and tested" methods	urgent need for "new thinking"
reliable, non-problematic technologies	unreliable, problematic technologies
reliable resources	unreliable resources
sustainable initiatives/processes	unsustainable initiatives/processes
capacity to elicit relevant feedback on complex issues	questionable capacity to elicit relevant feedback
capacity to deliver on commitments	questionable capacity to deliver on commitments
negligible cognitive gap between governors and governed	challenging cognitive gap between governors and governed
"typewriter" knowledge mindset	"web-related" knowledge mindset
cognitively unchallenged	cognitively challenged
reliance on duly certified authorities	reliance on practice, experience and capacity
well-defined (chain of) responsibility	plausibly deniable (network) of responsibility

Governance might be considered to be significantly challenged by a "myth" that democratic processes do "work" -- especially given widespread claims of vote rigging, even in the most "democratic" societies. It is in this context that popular feedback processes have been rendered suspect -- as exemplified by scandals regarding BBC participative phone-ins. What is presented as popular participation and feedback by millions, notably to their representatives and to overburdened international institutions, might be understood as having a probability of success analogous to that of national lotteries -- credible only to the "mathematically challenged".

How is democracy to be expected to work elsewhere, given the importance attached to provisions for armed militias in the Second Amendment, seen as essential to the coherence of the US Constitution -- and given the challenge to democracy by armed militias elsewhere (Arming Civil Society Worldwide, 2003)

Civilizing governance vs Governance of civilization?

Challenges and assessments have been variously documented:

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes it clear that "individuals" are not called upon to prove their right to exist or their social utility, there continues to be a sense that groupings of individuals in associations can be fruitfully called upon (even aggressively so) to prove to the satisfaction of others, according to the criteria of others, their right to exist and their social utility. There is no Universal Declaration of the Rights of Human Organization (1971).

Potential response conventionally presented: "Thinking" and "Doing"

Figure 2: Tentative clustering of "Thinking" and "Doing" items The significance of problematique, resolutique, imaginatique and irresolutique is discussed below Issues of viability and security of (non)governance systems are common to many of the items and are therefore not separately distinguished (links are provided to detailed articulation below)
	Indicative labels	"Thinking"	"Doing"	Docs
Resolutique	Exploratory simulation (gaming)	Designing simulations to elicit (unconventional) options, associating them with openly accessible, attractive gaming to elicit cognitive entrainment	Dissemination of insightful, interactive gaming and pattern emergence; adaptation of virtual stock portfolio practices to governance options	[01]
	Sustainable dynamics	Exploring unforeseen potentials of complex dynamics of non-linear systems involving multiple actors	Implementing information systems to enable such structures to emerge and develop as appropriate	[02]
	Appropriate organizational architecture	Identifying structures of requisite complexity, viability and coherence and ensuring their emergence	Implementing information systems to enable such structures to emerge and develop as appropriate through self-organization	[03]
	Recognition of higher order challenges	Articulating challenges and possibilities beyond conventional polarization (and demonisation)	Creation of engaging activities that give credibility and viability to non-polarized initiatives	[04]
Imaginatique	Quality and Significance enhancement	Reframing "quality of life" and "pursuit of happiness"; implications of voluntary simplicity	Designing viable environments to sustain unconventional qualities	[05]
	Experimental alternatives	Recognizing and monitoring the viability of the widest spectrum of alternatives, in isolation and as necessary complements in any system	Implementation of experimental environments ("free zones", "socio-poles", "renaissance zones"); development of substitution databases ensuring that such options are considered	[06]
	Reframing assumptions (engaging with "nasty questions")	Cognitive vigilance and critical thinking appropriate to detection of vital insights readily suppressed by spin and advocacy of positive thinking	Develop processes for emergence of challenging and problematic perspectives (notably associated with the "unsaid")	[07]
	Self-reflexivity and Internalization	Identifying the conceptual challenges of cognitive embodiment of "external" reality and its role in psycho-social sustainability	Recognition, design and implementation of strategies that effectively mirror their environment and engage participation	[08]
Problematique	Insight capture	Designing open processes for gathering, configuring and disseminating insight -- in anticipation of it proving valuable	Implementing and assessing "wisdom" and innovation gathering systems (eg a strategic Wikipedia)	[09]
	Enabling and Facilitation	Designing processes to identify opportunities for enabling and facilitating innovative, regulatory and "best practice" initiatives	Implementation of enabling information processes and legislation	[10]
	Strategic comprehension and engagement	Identifying nature of coherent strategic representations capable of eliciting appropriate engagement; challenge of comprehension of complexity	Developing relevant software to facilitate configuring complexity	[11]
	Crisis preparedness	Identifying implications for social systems of the adaptive cycle, resilience and degrading gracefully under conditions of collapse	Introduction of relevant fall-back procedures and alternatives; development of a "cognitive toolkit"	[12]
Irresolutique	Credibility ("hearts and minds")	Rethinking destructive loss of confidence (as recognized by the military); meaning of confidence (as modelled by financial system) and eroded by tokenism and secrecy	Proactive assessment of confidence erosion (broken promises, tokenism, deception by authorities, etc) and consequent implementation of confidence building processes of appropriate complexity	[13]
	"Access" and Feedback to authorities	Identifying processes to enable meaningful access to authoritative focal points in highly asymmetric conditions (information overload and underuse)	Assessing and redesigning systems of public (taxpayer) interaction with government, media, corporations and academia (in light of realistic constraints and innovative possibilities)	[14]
	Participation and Social networking	Exploring implications of web-enhanced (social) networking for new approaches to governance of requisite complexity	Implementation of systems facilitating emergence and viability of higher order configurations of knowledge and social groups	[15]
	Dialogue (engaging with otherness)	Exploring the challenge of "designing in" otherness and disagreement beyond comfort zones (rather than harmonizing them "out")	Design of systems whose viability depends on the variety of intractable differences (as with resilient ecosystems)	[16]

Challenge of governance: metaphorical impoverishment?

Few would question the shift to a knowledge society -- now hyperdependent on the media and creative visualization for communication purposes and framing its future. A case can however be made that the repertoire of metaphors through which the challenges of governance are articulated is impoverished in relation to the quality of cognitive assistance that is required -- perhaps to be framed as "cognitive prosthetics". (see commentaries on Governance through Metaphor Project).

Some relevant explorations include:

If importance is attached to the "images" through which organizations may be variously understood (Gareth Morgan, Images of Organization, 1986), what then of the images of governance and globalization? Morgan distinguishes eight: Machine, Organism, Brain, Culture, Political System, Psychic Prison, Flux and Transformation, and Instrument of Domination. Similarly, a symposium of the wise, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Boston University (Lance Morrow, Metaphors of The World, Unite!, Time, 16 Oct. 1989) selected a Tessellation as the metaphor that best captured the spirit of the times.

In that light, a self-reflexive exercise was undertaken to explore a set of metaphors through which the operation and output of "think tanks" focused on global governance might themselves be understood. These metaphors included: Fish tank, Battle tank, Reservoir tank, Holding tank, Septic tank, Sensory deprivation tank (Float tank) , Cultivation tank, Simulation tank) (see "Tank-thoughts" from "Think-tanks": metaphors constraining development of global governance, 2003). Such considerations rause the issue of policy creativity and coherence for future governance (Meta-challenges of the Future for Networking through Think-tanks, 2007)

In this spirit what might then be the seven (say) guiding, generative and mutually challenging metaphors of governance and globalization?

The earlier exercise (Cooperation and its Failures: Metaphors towards understanding the dilemma for the 1990s, 1988) explored the metaphors of: Networking and teleconferencing, Revolution, Trade and Development, Sexual intercourse, Environmental ecosystems, Drama and Opera, Sharing in spirit, Building, Games and Teamwork, Celebration, Rule of Law, and Conspiracy of elites.

More fruitful complementary metaphors, to ensure better communication between governors and governed, might now include, for example:

A comparative study of the opponents in the Vietnam War suggested that the USA lost because strategically it was "playing chess", whereas its opponents were "playing go" (Scott Boorman, The Protracted Game: A Wei-ch'i Interpretation of Maoist Revolutionary Strategy, 1969). Provocatively, is it possible that the "success" of Al-Qaida is due to its framing of its strategies through richer metaphors? (cf Transforming the Encounter with Terrorism, 2002). Such points make it possible to suggest that a desirable form of governance, in a knowledge-based society, might well focus its attention on the emergence and movement of policy-relevant metaphor-models in society as suggested elsewhere (Governance through Metaphor, 1987).

Contemporary approaches to governance: "Crazy Enough" ?

Is the conventional thinking in the face of the extreme contemporary challenges of governance unworthy of a civilization "reaching for the stars" -- and potentially dependent for its energy on understandings of physics that defy conventional modes of understanding? The latter are famously dependent on the craziest "Theories of Everything", as illustrated by the much-quoted statement by Niels Bohr in response to Wolfgang Pauli:

"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct. My own feeling is that it is not crazy enough."

To that Freeman Dyson added:

"When a great innovation appears, it will almost certainly be in a muddled, incomplete and confusing form. To the discoverer, himself, it will be only half understood; to everyone else, it will be a mystery. For any speculation which does not at first glance look crazy, there is no hope!" (Innovation in Physics, Scientific American, 199, No. 3, September 1958)

Or perhaps, as expressed by Shakespeare:

"Though this be madness yet there is method in it". (Hamlet, 1603)

Cognitive challenges of governance

The dynamics associated with an adequate response to the "emergent reality" noted above, needs necessarily to be of requisite variety consistent with any cybernetic analysis of governance as a control system -- especially for a system that is significantly "open". The schematic explored below is therefore understood as an effort to encompass the set of cognitive challenges of governance in a knowledge-based society, including:

desirability of designing in challenging feedback loops in reframing governance so as to ensure:
- quality of focus
- quality of engagement
- conservation of energy (especially as indicated by attention time as an increasingly scarce resource)
- "resonance" with any expectation of engagement (as used in the French metaphor caisse de résonance)
- increasing responsiveness of learning/action cycle
necessarily self-reflexive fractal framing of new approaches to governance whereby the articulation of any non-model, such as follows, is continually open to challenge, as exemplified by:
- excessive reliance in communication on the single-sense "vision" metaphor when in strategic and political practice there is typically as much reliance on complementary metaphors of "smell", "sound", "feel" and "taste" (Metaphor and the Language of Futures, 1992)
- exacerbation of the governance processes highlighted in the previous point, with decision-makers having particular "sensual preferences" avoiding situations where other metaphorical senses are desirable, if not essential, and where multi-sensual competence might be vital for survival (Cyclopean Vision vs Poly-sensual Engagement, 2006).
- capacity to elicit and consider questions of a higher order, notably to circumvent definitional game-playing (Engaging with Questions of Higher Order: cognitive vigilance required for higher degrees of twistedness, 2004)
- application to the challenge of governance of knowledge management tools considered necessary for project management, given the probability of collective failure to learn from sophisticated systems, skillfully deployed -- and otherwise to be deplored as reliance on military metaphors (Enhancing Sustainable Development Strategies through Avoidance of Military Metaphors, 1998)
- better metaphors for the process: designing musical instruments, caisse de resonance, etc (Playfully Changing the Prevailing Climate of Opinion: climate change as focal metaphor of effective global governance, 2005)
design challenge of knowledge comprehension and knowledge compaction (as the process of decontextualization and formalization, with the goal of decreasing modification times as well as increasing lifetime, commitment, and visibility) exemplified by the absence of any "Google Earth" equivalent for the global problematique, resolutique, imaginatique and irresolutique:
capacity to evoke competence, insight and creative engagement wherever it is to be found, such as to elicit:
- imaginative questions not just imaginative answers (which emerge as a consequence)
- imaginative metaphors not just imaginative projects (which emerge as a consequence)
- imaginative myths not just imaginative declarations (which emerge as a consequence)
- engaging media not just engaging strategies (which emerge as a consequence)
- integrative images not just integrative knowledge (which emerge as a consequence)
realistic concern to focus on higher order complementary opportunities rather than seeking vainly to redesign legacy systems (or undermining those variously committed to them), as suggested by the emergence, evolution and reliance on:
- world wide web
- global media
- imaginative metaphors (notably as formulated by lyricists at the grassroots level)

Contrasting caricatures of "harmonization" in governance?
Top-down "static" vision? "explicit imaginary"	Bottom-up "non-static" vision? "implicit real"

EU "non-Constitutional" Reform Treaty (in process of ratification under questionable conditions of "democratic deficit") suppressing reference to the EU anthem (Beethoven's Ode to Joy)	Eurovision Song Contest Winner (Athens, 2006) Elected overwhelmingly through a record Europe-wide popular "democratic process" (Lordi's song Hard Rock Hallelujah)
If aesthetic harmony (notably musical lyrics) offers a way forward, possibilities might include: A Singable Earth Charter, EU Constitution or Global Ethic? All Blacks of Davos vs All Greens of Porto Alegre: reframing global strategic discord through polyphony?

A necessarily questionable "open source" articulation ?

In a knowledge society, populated by a multiplicity of more or less definitive "models", what follows is most usefully considered as a "non-model" that highlights the "open source" design challenge of knowledge tools in support of governance -- generalizing beyond the application of "open source" to software development.

Use is tentatively made here of the distinctions highlighted by the Club of Rome:

problematique: the configuration of problems for which a strategic response is sought through appropriate analysis.
resolutique: the configuration of strategic initiatives through which progress to a preferred condition of humanity could be achieved

These correspond to the author's responsibility (from 1972) for the comprehensive online databases on world problems and global strategies within the framework of the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential.

The above set was further elaborated to distinguish the:

imaginatique: the totality of potential patterns on which the imagination can draw to order conceptual and organizational initiatives -- beyond simplistic orderings of integrative concepts, values and strategic initiatives that are neither adequate nor engage commitment.
irresolutique: the challenge of resolve, resolution and political will -- typically characterized by (partially denied) dysfunctional interpersonal and institutional game-playing through which appropriate responses are avoided

This four-fold schema has been detailed elsewhere (Imagining the Real Challenge and Realizing the Imaginal Pathway of Sustainable Transformation, 2007). This endeavours to benefit from insights into mapping the dynamics of complex systems using the "real" and "imaginary" axes of a complex plane. As clarified in Figure 3, the problematique and resolutique are then to be associated with the imaginary as explicated, whereas the imaginatique and irresolutique are then to be associated with the implicit real as experienced.

In this context, the explicit "imaginary" is understood as associated here with a Thinking/Doing axis and the implicit "real" with a Re-imagining/Game-playing axis, where

Explicit ("above the table"):
- Thinking (as typically performed "collectively" by policy think tanks) is primarily associated with the Resolutique, based on learning from the Problematique
- Doing (as undertaken "collectively" through typical projects and programmes) is primarily addressed to the Problematique, informed by learning from the Resolutique
Implicit ("under the table"):
- Game-playing (as undertaken "individually" by all actors) is primarily associated with the Irresolutique, inspired by the Imaginatique. Strikingly exemplified both by online interactive gaming and by the current internet "cold war" between China and the USA.
- Re-imagining (as promoted by the media, and undertaken by cultural creatives and through individual recreation) is primarily associated with the Imaginatique, based on learning from the Irresolutique. Strikingly exemplified by news management and "spin".

The above ordering of the array of thinking/doing items as a checklist lends itself to a fruitful critical process in terms of the number of categories (Representation, Comprehension and Communication of Sets: the Role of Number, 1978) and its configuration as a table rather on some more complex surface (Comprehension of Requisite Variety for Sustainable Psychosocial Dynamics: transforming a matrix classification onto intertwined tori, 2006; Spherical Configuration of Categories -- to reflect systemic patterns of environmental checks and balances, 1994).

Exemplification of the "implicit" challenge of global governance?

With respect to the strategic integration of a future Mediterranean Union, as proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France and opposed by Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, Ian Traynor (Germany pours cold water on Sarkozy union, The Guardian, 14 March 2008) comments:

Diplomats say the fundamental problem is one of personal chemistry, with Merkel's self-effacing sobriety jarring with Sarkozy's attention-seeking theatricality.

Integrative schematic: Resolutique and Problematique -- with Imaginatique and Irresolutique

Figure 3: Interrelating problematique and resolutique in terms of "real" and "imaginary"
(originally presented in
Imagining the Real Challenge and Realizing the Imaginal Pathway of Sustainable Transformation, 2007)

Problematique, Resolutique, Imaginatique, Irresolutique

Circular configuration of Thinking/Doing categories

Figure 4a: Elaboration of Figure 3
with superimposition of the indicative labels for Thinking and Doing from Fig. 2 (the table above)

---

Figure 4b: Elaboration of Figure 4a
clarifying the relationship to the dynamics of Resolutique, Imaginatique, Problematique and Irresolutique
(cf Imagining the Real Challenge and Realizing the Imaginal Pathway of Sustainable Transformation, 2007)

Elaborating a richer "global identique"

The challenge of communicating and comprehending the dynamics of the above figure has been presented separately (In Quest of Mnemonic Catalysts -- for comprehension of complex psychosocial dynamics, 2007). This relates to the challenge of the identity of a globalized knowledge society -- possibly to be termed its "identique" (in Club of Rome parlance) -- and how governing of civilization is then framed dynamically by such an identity. The multi-media computer innovations, currently evoking widespread enthusiasm, need to be harnessed in response to that challenge, creating a richer representational bridge between the conceptual and the strategic -- and the possibility of a global "identique" of as yet unforeseen complexity. .

This might well also be understood as a powerful attractor/repulsor -- a fifth -- matching those of problematique, resolutique, imaginatique and irresolutique. This would confirm the value of the circumferential circle introduced into Figure 4 (cf Experimental Articulation of Collective Identity -- through a dynamic system of metaphors, 1991; Identity of the United Nations: experimental articulation through a dynamic system of metaphors, 1991). Globally the set of associated processes might be fruitfully related to those discussed by Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline: the art and practice of the learning organization, 1990).

Rather than definitive, the challenge of "operating" a civilization through a schematic such as Figure 4 might be better compared to designing, tuning and playing a complex musical instrument such as a sitar -- requiring continuing development and re-invention.Assumptions that it might be "steered" like an ordinary automobile are as dangerous as applying such optimism to piloting a helicopter. ***

Any "identique" is of course also to be associated with the role of symbolic devices such as the EU Anthem or any "Eurovision"-style song (mentioned above) -- what they evoke and how they "move" (Moving Symbols: radical change in religious psycho-social energy policy?, 2008).

Interdependence of governance / civil society initiatives

There is clearly a need for a degree of coherence in integrating any array of initiativies (cf Coherent Policy-making Beyond the Information Barrier: circumventing dependence on access, classification, penetration, dissemination, property, surveillance, interpretation, disinformation, and credibility, 1999). Hence the need for looking at the web of interdependcies that contribute to that integration and for which approipriate communication protocols are desirable.

Figure 5: Tentative indication of interdependencies
between thinking/doing initiatives (of Fig. 2 and 4)

Detailed articulation of tabular presentation of Thinking/Doing (with indicative documents)

Documents are included here merely as an indication of the range of topics which might be addressed under any of the 16 thinking/doing items. They are potentially helpful in any further elaboration of the scope of the item and identifying further resources from within their respective bibliographies.

Links are provided below back to the table above (which itself has links to items below). The following articulation could be developed to point to the relevance of complementary preoccupation with the Imaginatique and Irresolutique

Resolutique ("explicit imaginary")

Exploratory simulation (gaming)

T: Designing simulations to elicit (unconventional) options, associating them with openly accessible, attractive gaming to elicit cognitive entrainment; learnings from the successes and failures of "peace games" and "war games" in enabling constructive rather than purely destructive outcomes (notably reminiscent of imperial/colonial historical patterns); development of intelligent agent-based simulations; exploration of enabling simulations for emergence of more complex memetic and social structures (beyond the constraints exemplfied by simplistic and negative prefixes)
D: Dissemination of insightful, interactive gaming and pattern emergence; adaptation of virtual stock portfolio practices (as promoted by some banks as learning devices for clients) to enable exploration of governance options
Docs:

Sustainable dynamics

T: Exploring unforeseen potentials of complex dynamics of non-linear systems involving multiple actors
D: Implementing information systems to enable such structures to emerge and develop as appropriate
Docs:

Appropriate organizational architecture

T: Identifying structures of requisite complexity and coherence and ensuring their emergence, especially those in which intractable differences and incommensurabilities are designed in rather than out. Of particular interest, in the context of a conference inspired by the hellenic ideal, it should be recalled that Plato is known to geometricians for his association with Platonic solids which only take form in three dimensions (as opposed to two) -- and when more than three sides are presented and appropriately configured. Many of them have many more sides and the configurations are quite complex -- although aesthetically and intuitively appealing. Arguably there is a challenge to escape from "strategic flatland" into the third dimension (at least). With the complementary Archimedean solids, the two series together suggest a periodic table of institutional and strategic opportunities that call for exploration -- where "sides" are indicative of distinct (if not commensurable) strategic perspectives. More generally, including forms of more than three dimensions, this institutional architectural repertoire includes the regular polytopes. There may indeed be a case for geodesic institutional and cognitive structures -- as implied by arguments of R. Buckminster Fuller (Synergetics: explorations in the geometry of thinking, 1975/1979).
D: Implementing information systems to enable such structures to emerge and develop as appropriate; application in support of face-to-face and virtual assemblies of "static" and "non-static" actors. Design of electronic protocols that would catalyze the emergence of "Platonic solid" configurations from the amorphousness of "social networking" and "networks of excellence", as partially envisaged by management cybernetician Stafford Beer (Beyond Dispute: the invention of team syntegrity, 1994).
Docs:

Recognition of higher order challenges

T: Articulating challenges and possibilities beyond conventional polarization and demonisation; naming higher order challenges ("wolves in sheep's clothing"; "white-anting"; "Emperor's new clothes", etc)
D: Creation of engaging activities that give credibility and viability to non-polarized initiatives
- instead of addressing the dynamics of why a particular behaviour occurs (drugs, pedophiles, theft, violence, etc) focus is mistakenly placed on stopping it by incarceration in the light of an inherently simplistic and restrictive worldview
- delay of "governance" with respect to uptake on new possibilities (eg the web, social networking, etc)
Docs:

Imaginatique ("implicit real")

Quality / Significance enhancement

T: Reframing "quality of life" and "pursuit of happiness"; implications of voluntary simplicity -- Bhutan ***
D: Designing viable environments to sustain unconventional qualities
Docs:

Experimental alternatives

T: Recognizing and monitoring the viability of the widest spectrum of alternatives, in isolation and as necessary complements in any system
D: Implementation of experimental environments ("free zones", "socio-poles", "renaissance zones"); development of substitution databases; undertaking proper experiments with alternative modes of organization; encouraging experimental alternatives to "downsizing"; challenging simplistic demonisation of alternatives
Docs:

Reframing assumptions (Nasty questions)

T: Cognitive vigilance and critical thinking appropriate to detection of vital insights readily suppressed by spin and advocacy of positive thinking
D: Develop processes for emergence of challenging and problematic perspectives (notably associated with the "unsaid")
Docs:

Self-reflexivity / Internalization

T: Identifying the conceptual challenges of cognitive embodiment of "external" reality and its role in psycho-social sustainability
self-critique
D: Recognition, design and implementation of strategies that effectively mirror their environment
Docs:

Problematique ("explicit imaginary")

Insight capture

T: Designing open processes for gathering, configuring and disseminating insight -- in anticipation of it proving valuable
D: Implementing and assessing "wisdom" and innovation gathering systems
Docs:

Enabling / Facilitation

T: Designing processes to identify opportunities for enabling and facilitating innovative, regulatory and "best practice" initiatives
D: Implementation of enabling information processes and legislation
Docs:

Strategic engagement / comprehension

T: Identifying nature of coherent strategic representations capable of eliciting appropriate engagement; challenge of comprehension of complexity
D: Developing relevant software to facilitate configuring complexity
Docs:

Crisis preparedness

T: Implications for social systems of the adaptive cycle, resilience and degrading gracefully (Thomas Homer-Dixon, The Upside of Down: catastrophe, creativity, and the renewal of civilization, 2006) under conditions of collapse (Jared M. Diamond, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, 2005). Issues of preparedness in the light of black swan theory regarding high impact unexpected events (cf Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan: the impact of the highly improbable, 2007).
D: Introduction of relevant fall-back procedures and alternatives; implementation of emergency (default) configurations of the web in anticipation of collapse
Docs:

Irresolutique ("implicit real")

Credibility ("hearts and minds")

T: Rethinking destructive loss of confidence (as recognized by the military); meaning of confidence (as modelled by financial system) and eroded by tokenism and secrecy
D: Proactive assessment of confidence erosion (broken promises, tokenism, deception by authorities, etc) and consequent implementation of confidence building processes of appropriate complexity; proactive response to compromised authorities (political, financial / economic, value exemplars, environmental, health, judicial, religious, security)
Docs:
- Future Challenge of Faith-based Governance, 2003
- Mobilization for Alienation vs. Catalysis for Participation: choice for the United Nations system, 1973

"Access" / Feedback to authorities

T: Identifying processes to enable meaningful access to authoritative focal points in highly assymetric conditions (information overload and underuse). Challenge of the mathematics of meaningful communication between populations of millions and thousands (if not hundreds) of relevant agents of government: filtration, relevance, spam. Designing towards the ideals of democratic "participation" in a context of tokenism and spin.
D: Assessing and redesigning systems of public (taxpayer) interaction with government, media and academia (in light of realistic constraints and innovative possibilities)
Docs:

Participation / Social networking

T: Exploring implications of web-enhanced (social) networking for new approaches to governance
D: Implementatyion of systems facilitating emergence and viability of higher order configurations
Docs:

Dialogue / Chemistry / Otherness

T: Exploring the challenge of "designing in" otherness and disagreement beyond comfort zones (rather than harmonising it "out"). With respect to organizational archietecture, there is a desperate need for some strategic and institutional "Platonic solids" to emerge credibly and sustainably from any Socratic dialogue process. It is possible that it is the very dynamic of such dialogue, as a complex system involving many sides, which engenders such solids as a form of standing wave pattern.
D: Design of systems whose viability benefits from the variety of intractable differences; identification of the variety of games as potential systemic attractors (and distractors); development of a continuing series of experimental dialogues (bringing together the wise and the model/solution advocates) and evaluating the dynamics of such gather and the degree to which lessons are integratewd into the models of the wise.
Docs:

References

Graeme Chesters and Ian Welsh. Complexity and Social Movements: Multitudes at the Edge of Chaos cover of Complexity and Social Movements (International Library of Sociology) Routledge, 2006

Jared M. Diamond. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, 2005

Thomas Homer-Dixon. The Upside of Down: catastrophe, creativity, and the renewal of civilization, 2006

Kevin Kelly. New Rules for the New Economy [text]

Gareth Morgan. Images of Organization. Beverly Hills, Sage, 1986

Peter Senge. The Fifth Discipline: the art and practice of the learning organization, 1990

Nassim Nicholas Taleb. The Black Swan: the impact of the highly improbable, 2007 [reviews].

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