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In 1993, David C Korten contrasted the key elements of an emergent alternative wisdom on sustainable development that was then emerging from a global citizen dialogue with the conventional wisdom of mainstream economists and the institutions of what we now know as the Washington consensus. Disregarding evidence that policies grounded in the conventional wisdom are devastating the environment and increasing the gap between the super rich and the desperately poor, the alternative wisdom has not gained a consequential foothold within the establishment even to this day. The alternative wisdom has, however, given birth to Ecological Economics as a new economics discipline and to global civil society as an increasingly powerful social force that is beginning to align global politics behind a new social and environmental vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To open the Dialogue section of Volume 48, we start with two pieces by David C Korten, a leading 'alternative' writer. The first was written in 1993 to present his then current thoughts on the conventional and alternative wisdom on sustainable development That most of its arguments remain relevant nearly twelve years later is a useful reminder of how little the bask frame of the sustainable development debate has changed during this period. The second is his reflection on the piece written for this journal issue. He shares his own history and emerging vision as he explores, with others, the possibilities and problems of alternative thinking for diverse economies in theory and practice for today and the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an agenda for a sustainable global future to ensure prioritization of environmental education and issues. Filling of the earth's ecological space; Dictation of the human future by unrestrained market forces; Rediscovery of spiritual values; Search for liberating structures; Sustainable agriculture; Recycling; Economic democracy; Population stabilization; Trade, aid and foreign investment. INSET: The Japanese experience..

Presents a reaction to the article "The Community: Master or Client? A Review of the Literature," by H. Werlin. Definition of bureaucracy; Difference in perspective in the area of accountability; Political dimension of development.

This paper describes how most global U.N. Conferences have failed to address the causes of the problems they are discussing -especially the inappropriate institutional framework where the imperatives of the “money world” take precedence over the living world of people and where control over productive resources is increasaingly wrested away from local people and communities (and governments) by large and generally unaccountable corporations. It also describes the routes to a more just and sustainable society, and how civic society must reclaim the power it is losing to the money world. This includes the ways in which the United Nations Habitat II Conference can and should align itself with this process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Symptoms versus causes: observations and recommendations on UNICEF's urban child programme draws attention to a limitation of many development programmes, the tendency to focus action on readily observed problem symptoms to the neglect of more difficult and intractable causes. The paper praises the flexibility of UNICEF's programming system and its ability to mobilize resources but, at the same time, is critical of UNICEF's reluctance to confront important and politically sensitive causes of the problems faced by the world's children. The analysis and recommendations have relevance well beyond UNICEF. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A content analysis of behavior patterns in 129 Ethiopian folktales to identify rules governing payoffs in the game of everyday living as perceived in the traditional Ethiopian culture is presented. The study concluded that Ethiopians tend to view the life game as zero-sum, non-shared sum, and yielding at best a limited payoff. This view results in a set of survival strategies based on self-protection, deception, and revenge aimed either at maintaining the status quo or advancing oneself at the expense of others. Perceived opportunities for initiative and cooperation in service to the community are limited. Personal efficacy is perceived as present in interpersonal exchanges, but not in exchanges with the impersonal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the situational determinants which determine the form of leadership which will arise and accepted in a group. Information on the development of a conceptual model is presented. Characteristics of authoritarian and democratic leadership are presented. The influence of stress, the tolerance for ambiguity, and goal clarity are the dynamic characteristics of the conceptual model. The patterns of change in leadership are the natural shifts, the high stress shift from democratic to authoritarian leadership, and the unnatural shifts.

The article presents a dissertation abstract titled "Management, Modern Organization and Planned Change in a Traditional Society: A Social Systems Analysis of Cultural Transition in Ethiopia," by David C. Korten.

Presents a response to the criticisms on the essay `Do Corporations Rule the World? And Does it Matter?' Disagreements on the claim regarding the values and perceptions of people of all social classes; Confusion between money and wealth.

The real power of world rule resides with the global financial markets that dominate the decisions of both corporations and governments, demanding ever greater financial returns to shareholders regardless of the cost to society. The costly reality is masked by increases in stock market and GDP indices that create the illusion of increasing prosperity even as global capitalism destroys the real capital on whichour well-being depends. The key to resolving our crisis of growing inequality, environmental devastation, and economic instability is to recognize that there are real and attractive alternatives to the new global capitalism that have nothing in common with the failed models of socialism. One of the more promising involves restoring democracy and putting in place the conditions necessary for the market's healthy function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]