This volume presents multiple viewpoints on the possible future of the planet, as well as on what people in different parts of the world hope for and fear about the near future.
Our current era can be described as the beginning of a new, historical phase of the ‘Anthropocene’ age, where humans are becoming increasingly conscious of the effects of their actions on nature, culture, and human relationships. As the first section shows, this realisation is acquiring greater significance in current development discourse and policymaking, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The fate of the human species rests on a sustainable collaboration with nature, as is apparent by the impact of climate change on food, energy, and water.
Arguing in favour of a possible decline in American importance, the second section discusses the encouraging opportunities this could create, as well as the future of both ‘citizenship’ and national self-determination. The third section focuses on the re-emergence of religion and civilisational identities as significant factors in world affairs, along with an exploration of alternative forms of secularism that could respond to changing cultural expectations. The final section considers the arena of policy and behaviour – gender-specific practices and policies; political participation in India; and international peacekeeping operations.
With contributions from leading thinkers and academics from around the world, this prescient volume will interest students and scholars of global studies, international relations, culture studies, peace and conflict studies, and political theory.
Richard Falk is Albert G. Professor of International Law and Practice Emeritus at Princeton University, and since 2002, Visiting Research Fellow, Orfalea Center of Global and International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Manoranjan Mohanty is Distinguished Professor, Council for Social Development. Former Professor of Political Science, University of Delhi, he is Visiting Research Fellow, Orfalea Center of Global and International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Victor Faessel is Associate Director, Mellichamp Initiative on 21st Century Global Dynamics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Secretary of the Global Studies Consortium.
List of Abbreviations Note of Acknowledgement
Volume Introduction Exploring Emergent Global Thresholds: Toward 2030 Richard Falk
Introduction Towards 2030: Global Stirrings from the Himalaya Sphere Manoranjan Mohanty
Part One: Overview 1. The World Ahead: Entering The Anthropocene?
Richard Falk
2. Ecumenical Futures and the Imperative of Incommensurability: The Politics of Culture in the Modern World System
Vinay Lal
3. Development as Civilizational Movement: Counter-hegemonic prospects from Asia, Africa and Latin America
Manoranjan Mohanty
4. Climate Change and Human Security in the Developing World
Hilal Elver
Part Two: Political and Geopolitical Perspectives
5. After US Decline: (Re)Constructing a Just World Order
Achin Vanaik
6. Citizenship In Terminal Crisis? Thinking Beyond Twentieth-Century Verities
Nivedita Menon
7. ‘National Self-Determination’ Has a History: Does it Have a Future?
Neera Chandhoke
Part Three: Religion and Secularism
8. Radical Religious Responses to Global Catastrophe
Mark Juergensmeyer
9. The Different Futures of Secularism
Rajeev Bhargava
Part Four: Politics from Below
10. The Future of the Girl Child: Hopes and Concerns
Bidyut Mohanty
11. Local Governments: Outlook for the Future
George Mathew
12. Global Futures: Peacemaking 2030
Radha Kumar
Afterword Imagining 2030
Victor Faessel Notes on Contributors Index