The emerging global community

Human society may be viewed as an evolving system. From time to time, there occurs the equivalent of a phase shift, or more appropriately, a 'cultural discontinuity'. In each case, such a discontinuity is preceded by, and caused by the emergence of a constellation of new technologies. During and following such a discontinuity previously existing cultural institutions become modified, or abolished all together, while new ones arise. The paper considers the impact of the Industrial and the Electronic revolutions on absolute monarchy, slavery, the State, war, and the emergence of an integrated global community.