Rosalie Cushman Considers: Politics, The Economy, And Evolution...

Rosalie Cushman Considers: Politics, The Economy, And Evolution...

So I have had a number of conversations with friends recently about the state of America’s affairs.  Mostly, it’s focused on political ramifications like ‘will the Republicans take back the Whitehouse; will Obama survive”, that sort of thing.  It is clear that at its roots, however, the discussion most of us nattering about is driven by economics; our own pocketbooks, bank accounts, portfolios, or job security, with the macro political and global financial worlds being the drama from which it springs.

Now I’m no economist but it does seem to me that the globalization of economies is evolutionary in nature and, as a consequence of ‘natural selection’, is unavoidable though not without obvious and potent risks.  Much like the game of chess, the dilemma comes in recognizing where one is positioned, what is the new and burgeoning context now operating and how does one maneuver at either micro or macro levels within the evolutionary process so that the ‘survival of the fittest’ doesn’t kill off the individual household, let alone a nation. 

It is uncanny that as a writer I have some interesting and diverse clients, from the Galapagos Islands to sheltering corporations in Mexico, with other topics thrown in the mix.  In the rarefied air of the Rancho Santa Fe community and its larger San Diego backdrop a couple of thoughts have surfaced.  And while they may be insufficient or unoriginal, they seem to be compelling nuggets of truth. 

First, without recognizing we’re in yet another paradigm shift, we are at risk of losing the innovative edge that has been our historical legacy as a country and an economy.  Yes, yes, the debate rages on about outsourcing, not to mention the ‘raising taxes and/or bailout’ issues. The list continues with ‘should there be draconian budget cuts, how do we manage massive debt, the privatization of education, social security’ etc.  Then there’s the real need and possible partial remedy of yet more government spending if we renovate and beef up infrastructures in America like roads, bridges and high speed rail.

These are legitimate and important discussions to have but they beg the question of more pressing innovation all too often in nearly every single category.  Innovation can occur at every level of course and must, yet it is often viewed in isolation or increments, all too often leaving decision-makers defaulting to old strategies that have failed.  It also is far more difficult to envision turning a very large ship around and therefore frightening.   Yet, this process is necessarily part of the equation and difficult as it is, we’d better get serious about stepping up to the ‘innovation nation’ plate.   Failing to do so, we operate at our peril.

Yet, some innovative examples have been making news lately as evidenced in Walmart, Target, and other mega stores who will be downsizing some of their space, building smaller ‘mom and pop’ type stores.  They’ve clearly got some of the idea I’m talking about.  And of course, why stop there.  How about Walmart pop-up stores in empty storefront spaces?  Or how about undertaking more creative and unusual co-branding opportunities? The Panera chain is an additional example of yet another innovative idea.  They have opened up several restaurants recently where customers pay what they feel the food is worth.  They have become hugely popular and are profitable with the potential of greater growth to come.

It’s not to say all ideas will pay off but true innovation is always about experimentation and what do some of these companies have to lose if they’re already struggling?  Or even for businesses not struggling, by having a new vision they can create new job opportunities grafting differing financial models that could be duplicated by others. 

The tanking of Greece’s economy with Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Italy right behind them serve as a cautionary tale for all economies of the world, including the US. Does it really make sense to borrow more money to pay a debt on what you’ve already borrowed?  It’s not just about a socialist or capitalism regime.   It’s not as simple as buying ‘made in America’ even.  It’s about recognizing the inter-related and evolutionary process of the global economic system that has changed whereby all economic players, from China, to Mexico, to the EU, to the barbershop down the street must benefit not only themselves, but everyone by innovation – on every level.

We can’t afford to think in old ways when innovation is as critical as it is today.  More importantly, the only way we get to ‘equity’ with third world countries becoming 2^nd and 1^st world industries is by facilitating each other’s growth.  Wages in America have been shrinking.  Conversely, wages in places like China and Mexico will have to slowly rise.  It’s a fundamental principle to have a balanced economic ‘world organism’.   Anything less is unhealthy and in the long term, won’t survive.  

The second thought worming its way through my skull is this: viciously blaming either side for all the organic change that is part of economic, political, human, institutional, or governmental life has got to stop.  First of all, it’s really boring, counterproductive, and juvenile.  Second, moralistic finger wagging and blame just keeps us stuck.  It’s not to say some ‘bad apples’ shouldn’t be held accountable for faulty decisions.   They should, and rightfully so.  Yet, Enron is such an exquisite example of accountability with ‘the smartest men in the room’ ultimately doing themselves in by their own greedy implosion.  They systematically fell on their own sword and at the end of the day, if someone like Goldman Sachs can’t function without more bailouts ‘nature’ should and will take care of it one way or the other. 

Could catastrophe trickle down to individuals if this were to happen?  Of course.  Do we have a responsibility to help those who are lest able to help themselves?  Absolutely.  However, discerning that responsibility at every level is critical and vitriolic tut-tutting just clouds the issue when it’s instead essential to identify and implement more mature error corrections.  It is a nasty and pointless business, blame.  All it does is keep us victimizing ourselves.

So while I’m concerned about the global economy, America’s financial woes and, of course, my own, I am hopeful and optimistic as well.  Nature takes care of itself, at every level and in all realms.  The evolutionary process is not confined to reptiles and plants and mammals.  One of the greater challenges for humankind is getting out of the way of our own egoic mental notion of controlling it all, or thinking we can use old practices in new paradigms.   We need to use our intellect, operate less emotionally with conscious participation and stewardship instead.  Serious governmental, technological, service and manufacturing innovation is the vanguard of that process.