In the cities, towns and villages of Bangladesh (be it Dhaka, Jhenidah or Shutiakathi), bustling spaces of ‘tomorroworlds’ come alive every morning. The year is 2050. Located in a vibrant park, bazaar or library, it’s a place where citizens from all walks of life gather to reflect and act upon their dreams and aspirations. A young student, a local shopkeeper, and an elderly teacher sit together, sharing visions for a better Bangladesh. As they talk, they are guided by a “futurator,” a facilitator who helps them explore alternatives futures of the communities they are working, keeping values of Gross National Inspiration (GNI) in mind.
Ever since Bangladesh embraced GNI, ‘tomorroworlds’ have sprouted all over. It is essential to reflect on the fundamentals of governance before delving into GNI. Throughout history, governance has been shaped by questions like why we govern, who governs, how leaders are chosen, the duration of governance, and funding mechanisms. These questions, explored since Kautilya, Confucius or Plato, have given rise to diverse forms of governance, such as democracy and authoritarianism (a shade of this being benevolent dictatorships). Each form has its strengths and weaknesses, often interacting in complex ways.
Democracy and authoritarianism are frequently seen as polar opposites: democracy emphasizes inclusivity and people’s voices, while authoritarianism centralizes power and facilitates decisive action. This dichotomy, however, can be misleading. For instance, the efficiency of decision-making in authoritarian systems can appeal to those frustrated by the slow processes in democracies, leading to a cyclical swing between these forms of governance. Moreover, alternative models such as self-governance (anarchy) and no-governance present additional possibilities beyond this binary.
Modern governance systems, regardless of being democractic or authoritatrian, often share a common goal: economic growth, typically measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While GDP growth is associated with improved living standards, it also draws criticism for fostering inequality, environmental degradation, and social issues. Historian Rutger Bregman has argued for higher taxes on the rich to address inequality (or at least that they are paying their fair share of taxes), emphasizing that historical innovations often came from public funding, not necessarily the creativity and innovation that the private sector usually claims to drive.
The fixation on GDP growth prompts the question: What alternative measures of national success exist? Concepts like degrowth, as advocated by Jason Hickel, and the critiques of capitalism’s impact on climate change by Naomi Klein, suggest new directions. Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness is a notable example, measuring success through a holistic framework of well-being rather than economic output alone. Similarly, Korea and Japan have pursued Gross National Coolness, leveraging cultural influence to enhance national prestige and economic performance.
The idea of Gross National Inspiration (GNI) emerged from the desire to inspire individuals and communities both within and beyond national borders. Unlike happiness or coolness, inspiration encompasses both personal fulfillment and the ability to inspire others. This dual nature reflects a move towards collective actualization, where the success of one does not come at the expense of another’s potential.
For Bangladesh, GNI offers a transformative vision. Imagine a country where policies are designed not just to drive economic growth but to inspire every citizen. Education systems would focus on nurturing creativity and critical thinking. Public spaces would become hubs of cultural exchange and innovation. Governance would prioritize collective well-being and environmental sustainability.
Adopting GNI faces challenges due to the historical baggage of terms like “gross” and “national.” The term “gross” might inadvertently lead to reducing inspiration to a measurable metric, replicating GDP’s pitfalls. The concept of nationalism, critiqued by Rabindranath Tagore, also carries risks of fostering division rather than transnational solidarity. Hence, GNI must consider transboundary inspiration, aiming to uplift and inspire across various divides, such as geography, socio-economic status, race, and gender.
To develop a practical framework for GNI, understanding inspiration’s nature is crucial. Todd Thrash’s research defines inspiration as an “epistemic-motivational episode,” involving cognitive awakening and physical expression. This aligns with futures thinking, which explores new possibilities and motivates action towards positive outcomes. The three core characteristics of inspiration — transcendence, evocation, and approach motivation — mirror the principles of futures thinking.
Translating GNI into practice involves creating spaces and opportunities for individuals to engage in futures praxis — combining futures thinking with present action. One proposed experiment is “tomorroworlds,” flexible spaces where people can discuss and explore preferred futures with a “futurator.” These spaces, inspired by Ivan Illich’s “Deschooling Society,” aim to democratize access to futures praxis and nurture inspiration across communities.
Through collective effort and shared dreams, this new paradigm of inspiration-based governance can redefine success and well-being for all nations
Imagine “tomorroworlds” in Bangladesh, located in bustling markets, serene parks, and vibrant cultural centers. These spaces would be accessible to all, encouraging citizens to envision and work towards a better future. This democratization of space-time would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be inspired and to inspire others.
As the sun sets over Dhaka, local tomorroworlds remains abuzz with activity. The student, the shopkeeper, and the teacher, now joined by others, share their reflections on the day’s discussions. They talk about how the ideas of GNI could transform their community, making it a place where everyone is inspired and inspiring. Given the criticism of “gross”’ and “national”, discussions are taking place to promote transnational and transboundary inspiration, instead of GNI. The vision of Transboundary Inspiration, nurtured in these inclusive spaces, promises a brighter, more equitable future for not just Bangladesh, but the region and the world. Through collective effort and shared dreams, this new paradigm of inspiration-based governance can redefine success and well-being for all nations and planets.
Shakil Ahmed is an educator, futurist and storyteller at Ridiculous Futures and a PhD student in Futures Studies at Tamkang University, Taiwan.
