Nordic Ideology

1. Modernity's Utopia: A Foundation, Not a Destination

We may not live in a true utopia, but in comparison to the past, modern society is at least a relative utopia; truly utopian relative to what used to be.

Relative Utopia. Modern society, with its technological and social advances, has solved many of the major problems of pre-modern times, such as famine, disease, and oppression. However, it has also created new problems, including ecological unsustainability, excess inequality, and alienation. Therefore, modernity is a relative utopia, a foundation upon which to build a better future, not an end in itself.

Residual and Emergent Problems. Modern society faces both residual problems, such as pockets of poverty and disease, and new emergent problems, such as climate change and social isolation. Addressing these challenges requires a shift in focus from simply maintaining the status quo to actively developing solutions for the issues that plague contemporary life.

Metamodern Society. The goal of political metamodernism is to create a metamodern society that resolves the problems of modernity while also addressing the deeper existential and social needs of human beings. This involves a creative and playful approach to societal development, recognizing that progress is an ongoing process, not a fixed destination.

2. Game Change: Evolving the Rules of Engagement

At its fundamental core, societal progress is about “game change”; it’s when the background rules of life’s interactions—everyday, normal interactions—change and evolve.

Game Denial and Acceptance. Societal progress, or "game change," is the result of productively synthesizing two opposing forces: game denial, the inability to perceive the rules that govern human relations, and game acceptance, the passive acceptance of the status quo. Game denial leads to unrealistic expectations and unsustainable social relations, while game acceptance justifies injustice and blocks necessary change.

The Synthesis: Game Change. Game change involves acknowledging the reality of competition and conflicting interests while also striving to evolve the rules of the game to be fairer, kinder, and more sustainable. This requires a non-linear approach that targets culture and individual development, rather than simply focusing on constitutional reform.

Holistic Game Change. Game change is a multi-dimensional process that involves systemic change, psychological development, behavioral shifts, and cultural evolution. By addressing all of these aspects, we can create a more just and equitable society that promotes human flourishing.

3. History's Trajectory: Intimacy and Control

That the very social fabric of everyday life can and must be intelligently developed is the essence of political metamodernism.

Increasing Intimacy of Control. The development of societies, particularly the state, follows a pattern of increasing intimacy of control, with governance reaching into deeper layers of human life. This trend is evident in the evolution from the early modern state to the nation-state to the welfare state, and is now leading towards the "listening society."

Order and Freedom. This increasing control is not inherently oppressive but is, in fact, necessary for the functioning of complex societies and the protection of civil liberties. Order, freedom, and equality are intertwined, and a balance must be struck to avoid tyranny and promote human flourishing.

The Listening Society. The next stage of societal development, the listening society, involves an even greater intimacy of control, with a focus on addressing the psychological and emotional needs of citizens. This requires a shift in political priorities and a willingness to engage with the more intimate aspects of human life.

4. Freedom's Horizon: Beyond Legal Rights

People are only as free as they really feel in their everyday lives.

Emotional Emancipation. True freedom goes beyond legal rights and civil liberties to encompass emotional well-being and the ability to live a life free from the constraints of negative emotions. This requires a focus on addressing the social and psychological factors that limit individual autonomy and self-expression.

The Spectrum of Judgment. Negative emotions, such as fear, guilt, shame, and internalized envy, act as barriers to freedom, shaping our choices and interactions. By understanding the spectrum of judgment and the ways in which these emotions operate, we can begin to dismantle the barriers that limit our potential.

Transpersonal Stance. Achieving higher levels of freedom requires a transpersonal stance, recognizing that our individual well-being is interconnected with the well-being of others. This involves cultivating empathy, compassion, and a commitment to creating a society that supports the emotional emancipation of all its members.

5. Equality's Depths: Beyond Surface Measures

The goal is to steer clear of the barren landscapes and breach the invisible barriers—so that the shackled members of humanity can wake up on a lush summer day, grow their wings, buzz around in freedom, and relish in cow dung.

Paradoxes of Equality. Equality is a complex and paradoxical goal, as humans are inherently unequal in terms of talents, abilities, and circumstances. Moreover, even a perfect meritocracy can be cruel, and the pursuit of recognition can lead to envy and social division.

Six Dimensions of Inequality. To address these paradoxes, we must consider the six dimensions of inequality: economic, social, physiological, emotional, ecological, and informational. By working to level the playing field across all of these dimensions, we can create a more just and equitable society.

Deeper Resonance. Ultimately, the goal is to move beyond simply leveling inequalities to fostering a deeper sense of equivalence and equanimity, where all individuals are valued and respected, regardless of their differences. This requires a shift in consciousness and a commitment to creating a society that supports the well-being of all its members.

6. The Master Pattern: Six Forms for Societal Harmony

To blaze new paths. To write new values on new tablets. The goal is to steer clear of the barren landscapes and breach the invisible barriers—so that the shackled members of humanity can wake up on a lush summer day, grow their wings, buzz around in freedom, and relish in cow dung.

Six New Forms of Politics. Political metamodernism proposes six new forms of politics: Democratization Politics, Gemeinschaft Politics, Existential Politics, Emancipation Politics, Empirical Politics, and Politics of Theory. These six forms are interconnected and must be developed together to create a harmonious and sustainable society.

Balancing Act. Each of the six forms of politics comes with potential risks, so it is crucial to balance them carefully. For example, Existential Politics must be tempered by Emancipation Politics to avoid becoming oppressive, and Empirical Politics must be guided by Politics of Theory to ensure that it serves human values.

Cybernetic View. The six forms of politics work together to create a cybernetic system, where society is constantly learning and adapting to new challenges. This requires a shift in mindset from viewing politics as a top-down process to seeing it as a collaborative effort involving all members of society.

7. Subtle Memetic Revolution: Outcompeting Modern Ideologies

To blaze new paths. To write new values on new tablets. The goal is to steer clear of the barren landscapes and breach the invisible barriers—so that the shackled members of humanity can wake up on a lush summer day, grow their wings, buzz around in freedom, and relish in cow dung.

Beyond Modern Ideologies. Political metamodernism offers a path beyond the limitations of modern ideologies, such as socialism, liberalism, and conservatism. By embracing a more holistic and nuanced approach, it can address the complex challenges of the 21st century and create a more just and sustainable world.

Strategic Considerations. To succeed, political metamodernism must outcompete existing ideologies on their own terms, demonstrating that it is more egalitarian than socialism, more liberal than liberalism, and more sustainable than ecologism. This requires a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each ideology and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.

The Virus Strategy. Political metamodernism can be spread like a virus, subtly influencing culture, values, and institutions. This involves implanting metamodern ideas into political debates, media productions, and organizational cultures, gradually transforming society from within.

8. Dangerous Dreams: Learning from Totalitarian Specters

These are going to be crazy days. We’re going to have to invoke a few forbidden phantoms™.

Forbidden Phantoms. To fully understand the potential of political metamodernism, we must confront the "forbidden phantoms" of the 20th century: communism, fascism, and New Age spirituality. By examining the failures and excesses of these ideologies, we can learn valuable lessons about the dangers of utopian thinking and the importance of balancing idealism with pragmatism.

The Allure of Totalitarianism. Totalitarian ideologies often appeal to a deep-seated human longing for order, meaning, and belonging. To counter this allure, political metamodernism must offer a compelling vision of a better future that is both grounded in reality and inspiring to the human spirit.

The Path Forward. The key to avoiding the pitfalls of totalitarianism is to embrace a process-oriented approach to societal development, recognizing that progress is an ongoing journey, not a fixed destination. This requires a commitment to critical self-reflection, open dialogue, and a willingness to adapt our ideas in light of new evidence and experiences.

Last updated: February 22, 2025