University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

ecological footprints per capita in the world. The only other exotic country in this
ranking, apart from Bhutan, is Bahamas, a sunny, happy-go-lucky country.
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The USA has long been the icon of rich capitalism and wasteful consumerism with
little regard to socio-cultural justice or ecological concern. Yet cultural, social and
environmental awareness have grown during the past decades to such an extent that,
with President Barack Obama in lead, the USA may change course. Already ethnic
pride is booming among African Americans and Native Americans, national health
insurance plans have been revived and the country is committing to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. The trends are nationwide, but some states take the lead,
like California in environmental initiatives, which are easier to implement now than
during the Bush administration.
The USA has been the leading GNP and large ecological footprint country in the
world for over 60 years, but now China is overtaking it with other major developing
countries pacing. However, India is split in this respect: there is a growing middle
class that yearns for Western living standards, but a huge majority live in very poor
conditions. From the ecological and socio-cultural point of view, it would be best for
India and the whole world if everyone lived like Gandhi lived, modestly but not
poorly.
Building Blocks needed for Responsible Leader States
Any country, large or small, rich or poor, can adopt a responsible leader’s identity.
All it requires is to provide a reasonable, modest standard of living for all citizens, to
enhance social and cultural wellbeing and to take good care of the natural
environment. This calls for:
1. Nationally and globally shared values.
2. Matching self- and external images of each country for genuinely responsible
identities.
3. National and global time perspectives with immediate actions and long-term
plans.
4. Role experimentations for potential division of roles between countries.
5. Anticipation of achievement with visions of hope expressed by leaders of
countries.
6. Leadership for each country in its areas of strength and followership in other
areas, with cooperative and fair national and global sharing of the outcomes.