Imagination and Frameworks

Blue sky thinking or something a little more practical? People across the world have different processes and motivations in their lives, but many try to contribute towards making the world a better and more interesting place to live. Better and more interesting do not always coincide or overlap quietly, but it is clear that both imagination and frameworks are essential in this fragile relationship between creativity and practice.

Imagination

There are countless examples, but here I choose to focus on the infinity of the universe. Despite the Cold War background of the Space Race, for many people it opened up a huge realm of possibility about our planet and the rest of space. With 21st century technology, commercial trips offered by Virgin Galactic will soon make it possible for ordinary souls (with a bit of money) to enter space. Private enterprise is on the cusp of entering space. The longstanding TV series, Thunderbirds, was inspired by the possibility of man in space.

Space has further advanced the study of science, especially in the area of physics. The CERN Hadron Collider for example, has made the ongoing search for the Higg's Boson become a holy grail regularly discussed outside merely scientific circles.

But it seems most of our interests lie close to concerns a little closer to earth. Despite the physicality of sculpture, this mode of art has strived to reconceptualise our notions of art, and by extension the notion of ourselves. Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure" is an outstanding example of the power of sculpture in re-imagining ourselves.

The flowing figure tells us of the human being's fluidity. Although not directly linked to Sartre, its post-WWII background is evident in its assertion of the individual. Looking at the sculpture, you can interpret the smooth lines and curious arcs as you want. Thus you can also decide what you are yourself, without anyone telling you otherwise. It was also Moore's attempt to return to art's "pre-cultural", "pre-rational" origins. To imagine this in sculpture is exceptional.



Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure"


Frameworks

Development - there are an abundance of theories which population development studies, with many focusing on economics. Development economics is not within my understanding, but on the basic level of reconstructing countries from the debris of war and conflict, there are a few essentials.

One fundamental issue which is regularly misunderstood is institutions. Without the right institutions, a modern state cannot function. All these quite boring things such as the civil service, 'bureaucracy', army, national banks, courts and tax authorities - must be competent and accountable. Then can follow schools, hospitals and other aspects of welfare. Becoming 'institutionalised' has now become the way to say that you are 'no longer cool', but in the aspect of developing a modern state, it is both the 'hard' and 'soft' institutions which must be established in a developing country.

It is particularly interesting the re-building of some parts of Afghanistan that policing and rule of law have been emphasised in priority of development aid. No water pumps or generators just yet; "stabilization" seems to be the buzzword.

Despite the occasional tedium of the law, any legal system should protect basic rights of individuals - something that a number of emerging economies are dragging their feet on. This will gradually become a pressing issue for many countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa - how to establish rule of law.

And finally, everyone's best enemy - free market capitalism. It is perhaps quite telling that only 30% in France agree that the free-market system is the best. Perhaps a German-based stakeholder model is better, or an economy with heavy state involvement. While I am not in the Chicago School of thought, I maintain that markets which are transparent and relatively free are important. The brutal number-crunching that accompanies the least-worst option that the West have chosen should not be accompanied by exploitation or abuse of the system - as is regrettably common in the modern age.

This is why a lot of work has been done following the ideas of Ronald Coase. Institutions, regulations and legal systems can make a fundamental difference in the way in which a free market model can work. This is none more so demonstrated when an absence of law means cynicism of capitalism ensues. The most prominent recent example is the debacle which has become BP's supposed tie-up with Russian oil giant Rosneft, and its continuing litigation with its joint venture partners in TNK-BP. Corruption and closed-door deals should not have a place in any kind of economics.

Politics
Sadly elite politics can get in the way of these imagination and frameworks, but for the personal politics that involve us, it is what spurs our contributions to the world.