As societies devolve into tribes, "think globally - act locally" will make a comeback (at least the principle, if not the phrase). In social terms, it could be revised to "think universally, act locally". "Global" has political and geographic connotations, whereas "universal" is the word used, for example, in the U.N.'s declaration that describes the rights of every human. We must think both globally and universally, but action always remains local.
"Local" pertains to one's domain, which may be large or small, but is limited by how familiar one is with its many internal relationships and issues. Intimate familiarity with these is essential to applying one's global/universal perspective, otherwise important elements may be overlooked or incorrectly assumed, leading to negative outcomes. Likewise, neglecting to gain a global/universal perspective can lead to counterproductive results due to unreckoned forces outside one's local domain.
Acting locally is normally all one can do. To act globally or at any other level outside one's domain is to violate the sovereignty of others. There are usually repercussions. Acting non-locally also requires resources sufficient to conduct expeditions, expend energy, and/or transmit information outside one's borders. The logistics are often too costly to justify anything but local action.
Thinking globally does not require acting globally. Disaster aid outside one's borders will become rare as global economic growth stalls and climate change claims more and more victims. Alleviating the burden of others in their distress is wonderful, but the logistics tails will be too long for most to contribute, and tribes contiguous to afflicted areas may have cause for letting their neighbors suffer.
Thinking globally and acting locally entails having a grasp of a global problem, and then acting within one's domain to address the problem as if the local solution was going to make the difference in the global problem. This approach is particularly relevant to environmental problems since every location has unique geographical characteristics that demand tailored solutions. Similarly, each locale has unique political and cultural characteristics that necessitate tailored corrective actions in the social sphere.
Conventional thinking says that global problems must be solved by international agreement and cooperation. The subtle shift of the Think Globally - Act Locally approach is that no agreement is necessary, though understanding of common predicaments is. The dissolution of national governments and international authority that appears to be likely in the next few years will leave their fractured replacements to operate on the faith of this approach. A new world order could emerge that no longer tolerates extreme imbalances, but places local sovereignty above imperial ambitions.
"Local" pertains to one's domain, which may be large or small, but is limited by how familiar one is with its many internal relationships and issues. Intimate familiarity with these is essential to applying one's global/universal perspective, otherwise important elements may be overlooked or incorrectly assumed, leading to negative outcomes. Likewise, neglecting to gain a global/universal perspective can lead to counterproductive results due to unreckoned forces outside one's local domain.
Acting locally is normally all one can do. To act globally or at any other level outside one's domain is to violate the sovereignty of others. There are usually repercussions. Acting non-locally also requires resources sufficient to conduct expeditions, expend energy, and/or transmit information outside one's borders. The logistics are often too costly to justify anything but local action.
Thinking globally does not require acting globally. Disaster aid outside one's borders will become rare as global economic growth stalls and climate change claims more and more victims. Alleviating the burden of others in their distress is wonderful, but the logistics tails will be too long for most to contribute, and tribes contiguous to afflicted areas may have cause for letting their neighbors suffer.
Thinking globally and acting locally entails having a grasp of a global problem, and then acting within one's domain to address the problem as if the local solution was going to make the difference in the global problem. This approach is particularly relevant to environmental problems since every location has unique geographical characteristics that demand tailored solutions. Similarly, each locale has unique political and cultural characteristics that necessitate tailored corrective actions in the social sphere.
Conventional thinking says that global problems must be solved by international agreement and cooperation. The subtle shift of the Think Globally - Act Locally approach is that no agreement is necessary, though understanding of common predicaments is. The dissolution of national governments and international authority that appears to be likely in the next few years will leave their fractured replacements to operate on the faith of this approach. A new world order could emerge that no longer tolerates extreme imbalances, but places local sovereignty above imperial ambitions.
