Assuming that what we think of as the “civilized world” in some form and sense survives another fifty years, one hundred years or more, what do you think young people today, who’ll comprise the progressive liberals of the coming generation, need in basic knowledge and understanding about the world of politics, economics and, more broadly, culture?
The question is posed from a primarily English-language point of view but you may respond in terms which range beyond English-speaking culture if you wish.
More particular questions, offered as prompts to further discussion of this main theme, follow below.
What knowledge and understanding about their world, the political and economic parts of their society and, more generally, their culture and what it ought to contain, should young people today seek if they’re to help make up the next generation of liberals?
As we’re here, I suppose, not only to argue and debate but, also, to learn from each other, I pose the question to solicit your thoughts.
Some follow-up questions for greater detail:
What particular books, if any, should they not fail to read and know well?
What specific ideas are essential for their understanding of what (should, in your views) constitute liberal ideals and principles?
How well does contemporary public education do in imparting these to high school and college students?
If the schools aren’t doing a satisfactory job, where else can a youth look to learn what it means today, has meant in the past and should again mean to be a “liberal”?
Are these useful questions to consider, in your opinion, or are they irrelevant to how today’s young people become tomorrow’s liberals?
If current trends continue, what do imagine the world will look like in fifty years? In one hundred years?
Will a liberal/conservative political dichotomy still be a valid conception?
Weigh in, if you wish.
Hey there, stranger.
Great questions, to which I don’t have a lot of answers tonight. I’m having a difficult time projecting what knowledge will have relevance that far into the future. Books like The Shock Doctrine, or Hot, Flat and Crowded (much as I hate giving Friedman any credit) seem now to be significant, but fifty years hence they will either seem ridiculous or obvious.
In fifty years, European and North American culture (such as it is) will have less importance, with China, India and the Muslim world gaining strength at our expense.
I see no real concerted effort to address global warming, but as a non-scientist, I don’t presume to forecast its effects, except to assume living conditions in many parts of the planet will have deteriorated due to its effects.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the questions you’ve posed.