Are we moving toward more or less concentration of power?

The trend in the world is away from power. We are steadily moving toward the decentralization of power—at all levels of all societies. This process is obviously more evident in postindustrial societies.

In the United States and Canada for example the following deviations from centralization of authority are evident:

—Entire generations are growing up in reciprocal home environments with little of the authoritarian parenting of the oldworld. These gen­erations are growing up less in awe of authority than any previous generations—less inclined to hero worship—less power-oriented—less and less obsessed with leading or needing to be led. This trend is already evident in youngsters' confident interactions with parents—teachers— other authority figures.

These consensus generations cannot later be conditioned to fear au­thority. To them power will never have a mystique.

—Information has been one of the tools that has helped the powerful to monopolize power. The more centralized the sources of information the more powerful the centers of authority (family—church— government—etc.). Thanks to the proliferation of modern communi­cation technology information now flows in new ways. In telespheral societies in particular nearly everyone has access to information. You don't have to go to the teacher for information or to the clergy or the employer or the scientist or the government leaders. Simply activate one of the many print or electronic outlets around you and the infor­mation will pour out—as though out of a Niagara. People have not yet learned to access this new abundance. But it is just a matter of time.

For example computers now enable individual workers to obtain instant updates on all areas of production and assist them in decision making. Information that at one time was available only to managers is now available to everyone. The new technology opens the way for self-management reducing the need for hierarchy.

Because of this confluence of psychological and informational factors (as well as the spread of affluence) people are less and less submissive to and dependent on authority. There are still flagrant imbalances in power everywhere. But the trend is toward reciprocity.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 799