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Mowen

- 3 years ago

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What mechanisms do communities have for actually improving society?

Real improvement in any culture probably/possibly arises from the genuineness of the virtues of individuals acting in concert. Statemanship, or statewomanship, legislation, revolution, are all powerless compared to the benefits that flow from a truly virtuous person.

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I write about sustainable communities. Some of the ingredients are present here - virtuousness, service, cohesiveness. There are lots of issues Communities have to work through that promote better harmony and justice in the greater community, here are a few of those issues: Governance - Placing the needs of the community beyond the needs of the few. Example: Do you put a stoplight in front of a Shopping Center? How do you balance the economic needs of a few with the good of the many - put a stoplight in front of the shopping center that pumps money and jobs into the community. Don't if it doesn't. Strong Committee, Weak Mayor - In smaller communities, the Mayor is the contact, the face, even the heart, but not the brains and the pocket of the community. The Mayor does what they do best, the Board what they do best. Self-containment - A community that provides 75% of the services it needs because it recruits/attracts talents and skills needed. Wouldn't it be great if a City posts on Craigslist an ad for a Web developer, housing provided? Local Networks - A community setting up trade with neighboring communities to provide both protection, economic stimulus, talent, and to pool buying power. Counties sort of do this, but communities can show a bottoms-up approach rather than top-down Environmentally sustainable local transit, local economies - If you work locally, you don't need to drive everyday to and from work. Possible even in larger communities with a good local transit system, as long as you keep commute time to less than 45 minutes each way. The Marketplace - Malls replaced community with commerce, but killed a human need. Notice Malls try to look like communities, with street-signs and lampposts, but it's phony, sterile. Malls are struggling now, and downtowns coming back to life. Shopping where you know everybody and where everybody knows you is the essence of a local economy, and strengthens Communal independence. My blog - http://www.ajaxofalltrades.com/sustain" target="_blank">http://www.ajaxofalltrades.com/sustain

Rob Hopkins came and gave a talk at our request here, in the local Church on a freezing cold snowy day - 120 people came he is young and calm and was brilliant at answering the cynics who kept suggesting why it wouldn't work... our own website is a bit new and underpopulated - it doesn't capture the mood or even 25% of what is going on - partly because it has been set up by non web experienced people (this is a village more than a town) but have a look Daisy - and others... http://transitionminch.webs.com/" target="_blank">http://transitionminch.webs.com/

Communities here in the UK are starting what we call "Transition Towns". (google it) they are all about local communities discovering their own strengths and talents, and utilising these to create a new way of life within the community that will be resilient in the face of peak oil... politicians and legislators follow the acts of the innovators - they don't lead...

The first thing that springs to mind is an education system. Educating the populace insures that you'll have doctors, policemen, and teachers for the future. Education is a building block for advancements in spirituality and technology. Charities are another mechanism for improving society.

@Mowen

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SoulPancake

Mowen

What mechanisms do communities have for actually improving society?

LouMay

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paulwolb

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jedikelb

The first thing that springs to mind is an education system. Educating the populace insures that you'll have doctors, policemen, and teachers for the future. Education is a building block for advancements in spirituality and technology. Charities are another mechanism for improving society.

SoulPancake

Mowen

What mechanisms do communities have for actually improving society?

LouMay

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paulwolb

flashbanding

flashbanding

jedikelb

The first thing that springs to mind is an education system. Educating the populace insures that you'll have doctors, policemen, and teachers for the future. Education is a building block for advancements in spirituality and technology. Charities are another mechanism for improving society.

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