Scientific theories claim we are living in the epoch of some so- called postindustrial society. Today, the Western world is more concerned with information, electronics, educational reform, and research than it is with raw materials, metal, energy, locomotives, and such (because the latter problems are considered solved). Meanwhile, a country situated in Europe’s geographical center, next to the postindustrial world, still preserves hopelessly archaic economic models scrapped long ago by Western countries. This is about us, Ukraine, where quite a few citizens still live off hunting, fishing, along with gathering mushrooms and wild berries, as did our remote ancestors in humanity’s First Technological Epoch. Simultaneously, we also show signs of the Second Technological Epoch, the realm of manual labor being done today by the tens of millions of our compatriots. The authorities of Ukraine still attach high priority to and carefully control a Third Technological Epoch economy aimed at manufacturing industrial good. As to the sector of the Fourth and most up-to-date Technological Epoch associated with the creation and usage of the new scientific knowledge (information), it is still in its infancy in Ukraine, although twentieth century experts proved that “information and knowledge are the thermonuclear weapons in the competitive struggle of our time.”
I quote all this from Yevhen Marchuk’s new book, Ukraine: a New Paradigm of Progress. The book analyzes the possible paths of Ukrainian society’s further development and suggests some modern economic patterns which can draw this country out of its crisis relatively fast and effectively. It is mainly about establishing the priority-development centers that could work according to Fourth Technological Epoch models, making money out of human brains rather than raw materials. “For it is the nation’s intellect that now forms the main productive system of society.”
Such centers of priority development have been tested by the modern experience of India, Bulgaria, and some other until recently underdeveloped countries. India, for example, is fast becoming a new economic tiger by using the most up-to-date technologies, such as the export-oriented production of computer software.
A similar road is open to Ukraine, provided the state shows initiative and provides the required support. In the nineteenth century, Mykhailo Drahomanov wrote, “All practical human wisdom must lie in the ability to see the direction, measure, and laws of the world’s movement and to take advantage it. Otherwise, this movement will turn on and crush us.” (Quoting Mr. Marchuk’s book).
Judging by statistics, however, our chances are rather slim. The new book’s author reminds the reader that seven (the G7) out of 150 market-economy states now account for 85-90% of all high-tech output. In all probability, we will remain part of the majority for quite some time.
Every reader leafs through a book for something of his own. Let the economists ponder Mr. Marchuk’s analytical research and the proposed macroeconomic models of further development. What was most interesting for me is the fact that, among the mandatory conditions for Ukraine’s successful economic development, Mr. Marchuk singles out such factors, seemingly very far from the economy, as human and social spirituality as well as business ethics. The author writes that financial “interests on the international arena often take no account of such ideas as humanism, natural human rights, and mercy. This often results in an economic collapse, as well as in the impoverishment of people. Human civilization still resembles a horrible plant that will not grow and bloom unless sprinkled with tears and blood.” We Ukrainians, alas, are no exception, the more so that the Soviet people kept for decades the Marxian holy writ that being precedes consciousness. But we would turn a blind eye to the feedback: consciousness also affects being.
Mr. Marchuk begins the chapter, “Spirituality,” with the words of Hryhory Skovoroda, “A tree without a soul is firewood, grass is hay, and a human being a corpse.” According to the author, “spiritual crisis is the gravest and most terrible thing. And there is no more horrible a weapon than a spiritless thought.” This applies to all walks of human life, including politics. A significant role in overcoming the crisis should be played by religion and church, “a powerful mechanism of developing societal spirituality.” It is a good idea, however, to remember the words of Georg Lichtenberg: “A country, where churches are beautiful but houses lie in ruins, will die the same as the one where its churches lie in ruins but its houses have become palaces.” This by an eighteenth century writer remains of great importance for today’s Ukraine.
Let us conclude, quoting the new book’s author, “The only ‘commodity’ really valuable on the current world humanitarian ‘market’ is spirituality, the morality of culture, a high level of people’s physical and mental health, and intellect of high quality.”
