We need new vision, based on co-operation not competition

Like many New Zealanders, we two are sitting in our social isolation bubble, feeling comfortable but vaguely worried about the evil virus that skulks at the gate. The Government has done a fantastic job of containing the pandemic. For once they listened to experts, not just to the rich and influential, and most of us responded with the type of concern for others that marks our nation as a caring, sharing society.

In more reflective moments, however, we admit that it’s early days and the future is uncertain. Most of us appreciate the world before Covid-19 was in a real mess and this might be the best opportunity we’ll have to come out of lockdown with a better world vision.

We two have a personal vision of the type of world we want for our grandchildren. Not one ruled by neo-liberal economics, where many believe the mysterious ‘‘market knows best’’, but one where people know best. One where racial, social and economic inequality isn’t allowed to grow uncontrollably, but where resources are allocated to achieve equality of outcomes for everyone, and human activity is marked by co-operation not endlessly driven competition.

New Zealand led the world with the Social Security Act of 1938, which promised universal access healthcare – an enviable and achievable goal. However, market forces won out, with semi-private GP care, unaffordable by many, and a dual hospital system with a gold-plated private system for the well-heeled, and an overstressed, underfunded public hospital system for the rest – where the unmet need for care is massive and growing.

However, healthcare is no exception; under-resourcing is the rule for education and most other public services.

Regarding our world view, those of us in the so-called ‘‘first world’’ live in a state of cognitive dissonance. For example, we claim to care about the starving of Africa but happily support industries that exploit their workforce and natural resources, so we can have an endless supply of cheap, shoddy goods that last for months not years.

We allow ourselves to be endlessly manipulated by businesses into using retail therapy to treat our endogenous depression. In the endlessly repeating cycle of increasing demand and supply that is created, there is scant regard for the planet and its ecosystems.

If our species is to survive and thrive we must change our world view or mother nature will intervene even more forcefully than with Covid-19.

Our wonderful planet has magnificent flora and fauna, and rich but rapidly dwindling resources. But we are the only species here with self-awareness. This gave us the abilities to create the present mess but also to find ways to reverse it – therein lies the urgent challenge for homo sapiens.

If we are to rise to it, we must start with a new vision; one based on co-operation and collaboration, not on aggressive competition and relentless economic growth.

World leaders and their advisors must first thrash out a new world economic order because, like neo-liberalism, globalisation has failed us and our planet.

Second, they must find ways to reengage people by restoring their trust in their political systems. Then each of us should change our views by treasuring the virtues of service and caring for others, rather than idolise the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

We must start to view all humans as of equal value and, even if we are unable to overcome our own selfish greed, realise that it is in everyone’s interests, including our own, to have a world with minimal inequality, in which we can live in permanent equilibrium with our biosphere.

Sitting in our isolation bubble and contemplating the time when we progressively emerge from the lockdown, we two are keen to know our grandchildren will have good lives and have grandchildren of their own. Do you think similarly?