Digitally signed by Peter

Merry

Peter Merry
DN: cn=Peter Merry,
o=Engage InterAct, c=NL
Date: 2003.03.27
12:59:44 +01'00'

Value Meme Systems

Signature Not
Verified

By Peter Merry, Engage! InterAct (peter@engage.nu)

References: Spiral Dynamics, Don Beck and Chris Cowan

: A Theory of Everything, Ken Wilber
Spiral Dynamics is the Registered Trademark of the National Values Centre

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Instinctual (Beige)

The level of basic survival; food, water,

warmth, sex, and safety have priority. Uses
habits and instincts just to survive. Forms into
groups to help survival and reproduction.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Group Bonds (Purple)

Strong need to belong to the group, in a kind

of tribal way. Rituals, superstitions, and myth
are an important part of the group identity.
There is respect for ancestors, and the ways
of the elders. There are group or family
instincts to stay close and find safety/security
in what feels like a threatening and
dangerous world. Quickly develops “us:them”
views to protect one’s own kind.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Power Gods (Red)

Lives for the moment, act in and on the world

with minimal guilt or shame. Wants to meet own
needs now. Sees the world as a jungle in which
we must fight to survive - it’s everybody for
themselves. Power and action, heroes, challenge
the enemy. Winners and losers. Organises in
hierarchies of power.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Saintly – Traditional (Blue)

Looks for meaning and purpose in life. Disciplined

self-control. Strong belief in a cause, system, or
ideology as the One Truth. Sacrifice one's self to
the principles and rules of the "one way". Highly
values traditions. Strong sense of duty,
responsibility, honesty and honour. Likes to
accept the leadership of others. Tends to conform
to customs and avoid the unconventional. Strong,
clear opinions.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Achievement (Orange)

Pragmatic, strategic, affluence-seeking, scientific and

quantitative approaches, competition to win and gain
greater status, success-driven motives; Life is
measured in terms of personal accomplishments.
Will defend own position and views, and attack
publicly opposing positions and those who disagree
with them. Independent with a strong desire to be
different. Cunning and Machievellian, where honesty
isn't so important, but strategic and calculating at the
same time. Not dependent on groups of friends for
support.
Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Sensitivity – Sharing (Green)

Egalitarian, humanistic, and community-focused;

consensus-driven decision-making and “we are all of one
human family and should share equally in resources”
beliefs; feelings-based, introspective, spiritual, aware of
all human needs, and open to life’s fuller experiences;
generally warm and caring. Opposes racial, ethnic,
gender, nationalistic and class divides by removing
barriers and providing equal opportunities for all.
Friendship and belonging to groups is important. Quite
likely to listen to new opinions and change yours.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Integral (Yellow)

Senses the natural flow of people, systems, events, and life

itself. Influenced more by self-principle than rules, status, laws,
social approval, or the agenda of others. Individual responsibility
is greater than collective rules; competent people should make
decisions for society based on the inherent needs. Supports
functional outcomes by empowering and enhancing whatever
system that works for different people at different times and in
different circumstances. Transcends but includes all that has
come before and anticipates what will come next.
Picks up cues and signals from around quickly, and is able to
respond and adapt rapidly. Likes to integrate contradictions and
look for synthesis. High self-esteem and belief in ability to
change the world. Doesn't feel much need for external help.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Holistic – Harmonious (Turquoise)

Everything connects to everything else. Common needs are

more important than individual achievements. Senses the
importance of working together, and realises can't do what
needs to be done alone. Focuses on the flow of energy at
multiple levels as the preservation of life, all forms of life, has
the highest priority. All living systems connect together as one,
blending in concert with each other. New channels of
communication have been discovered that appear to operate
beyond the traditional senses. The planet itself is seen as a
single ecosystem and a heightened sensory awareness increases
people’s alertness to multiple dimensions of time and space. Big
picture views, aided by expansive technology, provide new ways
to monitor the life force itself, at all levels. A new understanding
of cosmic spirituality dominates religious systems and beliefs.
Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Value Memes
What a vMeme is:

• genes > DNA :: vMemes > psycho-social, organisational DNA

• a core intelligence that forms systems and directs human

behaviour
• a decision-making framework that impacts all life
• a structure for thinking (not just a set of ideas or values)

• it generates worldviews, valuing systems, levels of

psychological existence, belief structures, organising principles,
ways of thinking

• it responds to life conditions (lights up and dims)

• it manifests in healthy and unhealthy forms

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Value Memes
> Actions and Behaviours

^ Systems and Structures

^ Minds and Ways of Thinking
(personal, corporate, cultural)

^ Genetic and Value Memes

< > Life Conditions (internal and external)

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 What is Developing?
Interior Exterior

I It
Individual

States of Mind Biological Features

(UL) (UR)
(LL) (LR)

We Its
Collective

Webs of Culture Societal Structures

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Human Systems - Context
Energy
/ Entropy
Depth

(TIME) Human-Environment
Years BP Boundary
Complex Neocortex
Early Societies
~ 10E+03 Civilization Neocortex-Limbic Systems
Tribes/Clans
~ 10E+04
Organic Compounds/Cells
Heterotrophic Anthroposphere
~ 10E+05 Ecosystems
Inorganic
Compounds
Climatic Systems Earth-Cosmos
Biosphere
~ 10E+06 Oceans, Lakes, Rivers Boundary
Atoms-Molecules-Gases
Rocks, Minerals,
~ 10E+07 Atmosphere
Planetary Systems
Hydrosphere Sub-Atomic Particles
~ 10E+08 Stars, Galaxies

Quasars, Pulsars Lithosphere

Energy/Source
~ 10E+09
Solar System

Universe

(Big Bang!)
? ~10E+20 ~10E+10 ~10E+5 ~10E+03 ~10E+02 -meters- ~10E-01 ~10E-02 ~10E-05 ~10E-10 ~10E-20 ?

Span
Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Human Systems
Depth

er
UL LR

Ti
LL

Po
2n
Years BP
Holistic Self

st
Holistic

-M
Turquoise

od
Integral Self
Holonic Integral Commons

er
emerging)

n
In
s
Sensitive Self

fo
an
Value Communities

m r
Yellow Integral

Tr
r

at

Mo
~100
ie

ion
Achiever Self
tT

Corporate States

de
al
(S ndu
-
al
1s

o c st

r
Pluralistic

n
Green

I
on
Mythic Self

i e t ric
Nation States

ies al
rs

)
~1,000

Pr
Pe

Ego-centric Self Scientific-

e-
Orange Feudal Empires

Mo
Rational

Ag
Magic Self

ra

de
ria
Ethnic Tribes
al

n
Blue

r
~10,000

n
on

-
Mythic Order

Ho
s
er

rti
Instinctual Self

cu
Survival Clans
-P

Red

l tu
Power Gods
e

ra
Pr

l-
~100,000

Fo
Purple Animistic-

ra
g
in g
Magical
“I”
Self and Beige “Its”
Consciousness Archaic
Social / Governing
System
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
% of Political Power % of World Population

Value Memes “We”

vMemes Culture and
Worldview

Span
Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 As the Spiral develops:

Increasing: Decreasing:

behavioural freedom authoritarianism

cognitive complexity rigidity
tolerance of ambiguity polarisation
distance from own beliefs black-and-white
creative novelty exclusivity
embrace ego-centrism

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 The Spiral Cycle
e lf
s -s
res up
E xp -gro
I - nter
I

self
ce -
rifi
ac u p
- S gr o
E a-
W Intr

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Spiral Statements

It is possible for all of us to live in peace together.

Non-violence is the only way to a positive

solution.

People’s greatest responsibility is to themselves.

The groups we belong to should be open to

change their fundamental beliefs.

Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003
 Questions for Pair Discussion
How does this help me to
understand the behaviour and
attitudes of the different groups
and people in my context?
What Value Meme systems seem to
be active in which people and
groups?
How are they expressing
themselves in the reality?
How can I help to better meet the
needs of all parties by taking this
analysis into account?
Conflict Transformation in Multi-cultural Youth Groups, European Youth Centre, March 2003