Towards Genuine Progress

Towards Genuine Progress

Viewed in a broad spectrum, progress in Capitalist parlance is construed as a good thing, manifest destiny, civilizing the uncivilized, elevating the poor inhabitants, taming nature, not being at its mercy, and having more time for leisure and the opportunity to be wealthy and comfortable. According to a study conducted by economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers of University of Pennsylvania, there is a need to examine thus far unexamined assumptions because despite our push toward that sort of economic and social “progress”, most Americans are no happier today than they were in the 1970s. Despite some ‘Progress Milestones, in science, technology, transport, medicine, economy, telecommunications and other realms, the endless scramble for progress has brought forth environmentally destructive practices whereby more consumption means more pollution, more rainforests cut down to accommodate agriculture, more trees cut to manufacture paper for magazines and junk mail.

Margaret Emerson suggests that progress should mean working within the Earth’s limits to ensure that people aren’t just well-off financially, but happy and healthy. In other words, there is need to narrow the gap between the very rich and the desperately poor, because progress can’t just mean the improvement of the lives of 5% of the population. In Emerson’s view, progress means peace, and cooperation, and more beauty in the world. Progress should mean that we put our collective energy into elevating our spiritual and emotional growth. It ought to aim at increasing beauty, happiness and well-being of all.