In a world filled with negative news, it’s easy to lose hope in the future of human society. However, there are two reasons to believe that positive change is possible. Firstly, significant social changes have already occurred in recent history. More people now live in cities than ever before, women have gained rights such as voting, obtaining abortions, and leading governments, and there is a decreasing tolerance for bigotry. Poverty and malnutrition rates have also decreased, and there is growing support for taking action against climate change. All these changes, for better or worse, have happened at an astonishing pace.
Secondly, anthropology and archaeology have unveiled the diverse range of societal structures that humans have lived in throughout history. This diversity, according to David Wengrow at University College London, is both disorienting and inspiring. He believes that studying past societies opens up possibilities for reshaping our current ones. Stefani Crabtree at Utah State University shares this view, emphasizing that we can learn from past experiments in sustainability and governance structures to make our lives better today.
With this in mind, one aspect that requires attention is the systemic racism and oppression present in some societies today. By addressing and rectifying these issues, we can work towards creating a more just and inclusive society for all.
