From Subset to Superstructure: The Planetary Rise of the Economy

Artículo públicado orginalmente a: afkar collective

For decades, scientists and policymakers have viewed our planet as a collection of distinct yet interconnected systems. These systems, often referred to as "spheres," include the solid earth (geosphere), the air and climate (atmosphere), all living beings (biosphere), human societies, our technological innovations, and our economic activities. This model portrayed the economy as a smaller part of the broader social and environmental landscape, constrained by cultural norms and the limits of nature.

However, recent observations suggest that this traditional view can no longer accurately reflect our current reality. The global economy has grown and evolved to such an extent that it now appears to encompass and influence all other systems. Rather than being a subset, the economy has become a general framework that shapes not only social preferences and environmental interactions, but also technological development, atmospheric conditions, and even geological processes.

This shift represents a fundamental change in how we must understand the world around us. The economy is no longer just a part of the planetary system; it has become a driving force in its own right, actively reshaping itself and the world around it. It is as if the economy has developed a form of intelligence, constantly adapting and evolving in response to various inputs and pressures.

In this new paradigm, we can think of the global economy as a complex, self-organizing system with several key components:

• Motivational structures: Economic incentives guide behavior and resource use on a global scale.

• Information networks: Market prices and feedback mechanisms help the system adapt and improve.

• Performance indicators: Metrics like GDP and environmental impact assessments measure how well the system functions.

• Cooperation frameworks: Agreements and policies enable different parts of the system to work effectively.

• Interdependence networks: Contracts and shared interests create connections among various actors in the system.

• Value distribution channels: Financial systems ensure that resources flow where they are needed.

• Autonomous units: From large corporations to AI systems, these entities make decisions that influence the entire system.

These elements work together to create a dynamic and responsive framework that begins to resemble a global nervous system. While still in its early stages, this system shows signs of an emerging form of planetary consciousness.

Given this new reality, our challenge is not to resist or reverse this trend, but to learn how to adapt to it and shape it responsibly. We need to reconsider our approach to global problems, recognizing that we are now part of a broader, interconnected system that spans the entire planet.

This shift requires us to update our thinking and institutions to align with the concept of a "global superorganism": a vast interconnected system that exhibits characteristics of collective intelligence at a planetary scale. By acknowledging this change and working to responsibly enhance the capabilities and responsiveness of this emerging system, we can find new ways to address the complex challenges and opportunities of our time.

In essence, we are entering a new era in which our global economic system is increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our planet. By embracing this new perspective and working to positively guide its development, we can create more effective solutions to global problems and build a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

This paradigm shift demands that we rethink how we approach environmental, social, and economic challenges. We can no longer treat them as separate domains, but as interrelated parts of an increasingly integrated global system.

For example, instead of viewing environmental protection simply as a cost to economic activity, we must understand how ecosystem health is fundamental to the long-term functioning and resilience of our economic system. Similarly, rather than seeing social well-being as a drag on economic growth, we must recognize how a healthy and educated population is a key asset for innovation and economic productivity.

As we embrace this more holistic vision, we must also reexamine our governance systems and success indicators. Traditional measures like GDP are increasingly insufficient to capture the true health and sustainability of our global socioeconomic system. We need to develop new metrics and institutions capable of managing the growing complexity and interdependence of our world.

Ultimately, the challenge is to learn how to navigate this new paradigm of an "economic supersphere" in a way that benefits all of humanity and the planet as a whole. This will require unprecedented collaboration among scientists, political leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens. Together, we must forge a shared vision of a sustainable and equitable future—and then work in coordinated ways to make it a reality.