You can’t fix a problem you don’t understand correctly. And you can’t begin to understand a problem unless you see it as a problem. And you won’t perceive it as a problem unless it conflicts with some ideal of what you want the world to look like: a vision of the good (not just a vision of a fixed bad). In that spirit, here’s an outline of my ideal society – at least today’s version. Individual guarantees are first, followed by general characteristics:

  1. Everyone has access to affordable housing
  2. Everyone has a right to safe and sanitary living conditions
  3. Everyone has a right to healthcare
  4. Everyone has a right to 16 years of education
  5. Everyone has access to sufficient nutrition and calories
  6. Everyone has access to affordable childcare
  7. Everyone has sufficient discretionary income to clothe themselves adequately and be digitally connected.
  8. Everyone has ample opportunity to improve their socio-economic status during their working life (individual social mobility)
  9. No one has to work more than full-time to support their family
  10. Democratic, accountable and responsive government
  11. Strong environmental standards and protections
  12. Healthy labor market: low unemployment rate
  13. Engaged citizenry: widespread public involvement in government decision-making
  14. Ample opportunities for social belonging/support/relationships
  15. Effective crime control and offender rehabilitation

Each of the above ideals map onto the OECD’s “Better Life” categories: housing (1, 2), jobs (8, 12), education (4), civic engagement (13), life satisfaction (all), work-life balance (9), income/purchasing power (1-9, 12), community (13, 14), environment (2, 11), health (2, 3, 5), and safety (2, 15).

Next up: we’re going to unpack each of these ideals – see what hidden puzzles they contain.