The Choice: Evolution or Extinction? - Hardcover

Laszlo, Ervin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0874777534 ISBN 13: 9780874777536

Publisher: Tarcher, 1994

Synopsis

A frank look at each facet of the global crisis, including ecological imbalance and international economic weaknesses, contends that the key is altering human perception and offers an outline of how change can be realistically applied.

About this title

From Booklist:

This is the argument. During this century, four shock waves have distressed the world's peoples. These waves emanated from, respectively, the Bolshevik coup, the rise of fascism, the political liberation of Europe's colonies, and glasnost. Elements of a fifth wave are now everywhere evident: overpopulation, poverty, overmilitarization, climate changes, and environmental degradation. As escalating global contact makes disparities in living standards more visible and more offensive to the impoverished majority, uprisings against affluent industrialized countries may result. To preclude such a scenario, intercultural understanding and respect must be fostered as bases for peace and the progression of humankind. Other strategies discussed range from a revitalization of the United Nations role in peacekeeping, finance, and environmental action to the well-known, small-planet axiom to think globally, act morally, and live responsibly. The good news, Laszlo concludes, is that by "living in a way that allows others to live as well," one is, truly, living the good life. Brenda Grazis

From Publishers Weekly:

While recognizing the unsustainability of our present industrialized society, Laszlo, an adviser to UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor, does not accept as inevitable the world's termination. To assure the continuing evolution of the earth, including humankind, he calls for new perceptions of our relations with our environment. Laszlo asserts that at the end of the 20th century, we are advancing from nationally based industrial societies and "heading toward the interconnected, information-based, global socioeconomic system." Thus we have reached a "grand transition" driven by globalization and "informatization." He suggests roles that various elements of society must play--government (a reformed and refinanced UN), business, science, the arts, education and religion, and individuals--to assure the survival of the planet. His concepts and solutions are not notably original. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Tarcher
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0874777534
• ISBN 13: 9780874777536
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224