It Is The End, And Maybe, The Beginning
by Donavon L Riley

Living through the dissolution of society, whether economic, political, or environmental, is an unsettling experience for anyone, no matter how prepared they may be. Yet, amidst the crumbling certainties, there remains a reluctance to acknowledge the magnitude of the collapse. Political leaders, akin to priests without belief, preach faith in the gods Economy and State, or lesser spirits like  “Going Green,” while concealing their doubts. However, in times of crisis, people instinctively seek alternative perspectives, challenging the prevailing narratives of unlimited growth and the benefits of bigness as they experience the diminishment of their lives and a sense of despair about the future settles in.

We witness this phenomenon daily as we interact with people who, like us, recognize that the current global crisis is not merely a result of insufficient growth but rather an outcome of excessive bigness. Institutions, economies, and corporations have expanded beyond manageable proportions, tearing apart the very fabric of society. The bailout of colossal banks with public funds, the unaccountability of supranational entities, and the overwhelming influence of corporations in every corner of our lives all illustrate the perils of unchecked growth.

In this context, the ideas of Leopold Kohr, a largely overlooked political thinker, may prove useful. Kohr’s central thesis, articulated in “The Breakdown of Nations,” asserts that societies function best at a human scale, where individuals can actively participate in governance. Conversely, when institutions grow too large, they become oppressive, irrespective of their ideological underpinnings. Kohr’s solution lies in decentralization, advocating for smaller states and economies that are inherently more adaptable, accountable, and peaceful.

Kohr’s insights challenge the current prevailing orthodoxy of endless growth. His critique of bigness extends beyond political and economic realms to encompass environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity. As societies prioritize growth over sustainability, they exacerbate the very crises they seek to mitigate.

The allure of big ideas often obscures the underlying problem of bigness itself. Instead of pursuing grandiose schemes for global governance or technological fixes for everything from male pattern baldness to mortality, Kohr urges a return to human-scale solutions. By embracing decentralization and fostering local autonomy, societies can mitigate the risks posed by excessive centralization.

Kohr’s vision of a world composed of small, interconnected communities offers a compelling alternative to the current trajectory of growth and expansion. Drawing from historical examples, Kohr demonstrates the creative potential inherent in smaller, more manageable units. Cathedrals, art, and scientific innovations flourished in the context of smaller states, challenging the notion that bigness is synonymous with progress.

So as we confront the consequences of our collective pursuit of growth — the ethic of bigger, better, faster, stronger — Kohr’s warnings ring true. The relentless pursuit of expansion has driven us over the brink of collapse, casting us into the abyss of meaning, to be swallowed up by that which erases the very foundations of our existence. However, amidst the gloom, there lies the possibility of renewal. By embracing the principles of decentralization and human-scale governance, we can chart a course away from the edge towards a more sustainable future.

The crisis of bigness demands a paradigm shift (personally and communally), a reevaluation of our priorities, and a willingness to challenge entrenched structures that offer no meaning or higher truth, just a continued descent into a materialist-consumerist nothingness. And while the allure of growth may remain seductive, because it is all we have ever known, the path to renewal and resilience lies in embracing the wisdom of smallness. In the words of Kohr, “wherever something is wrong, something is too big.” It is time to heed his message and reclaim our agency in shaping a future that is both sustainable and overflowing with meaning and purpose.