The Global Development Formula

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I consider the paper a very interesting piece of research and  a smart attempt to inspire intellectual elites and researchers worldwide to think outside the box. Indeed global management is among key challenges the human beings face nowadays. This article proposes a global development formula based on four main pillars and respective components. I am really impressed by the  futuristic and comprehensive vision developed by the author. I also think that the proposed in this paper global development formula is sound and interesting. However, I do believe that the author might wish to reconsider the following before publications:

• It would be great to better explain the notion of territoriality in this paper. The term “territorial development processes” is very general and perhaps needs operationalization. I have searched for explanations in the chapter entitled “The formula for a global positive territorial development favouring all” but this chapter and the next one is referring rather to the deterritorialization concept.
• It would be also important to explain the notion  of development so frequently used by the author. This is a very generic term and therefore needs some kind of operationalization.  The abstract might suggest that  the author relates development to the quality of life but this might be explicitly explained since the global development formula seems broader.
• I would also encourage the author to provide in the introduction at least one sentence on the aim or purpose of the paper. I understand that the paper aims at triggering multi-disciplinary discussion. But this is only my assumption. Perhaps the aim is more farsighted.
• Finally, I think that concluding part can propose a tentative and preliminary road map how the global governance can be installed in practice. There are several hints in the paper on that but this is the most decisive  part of the entire proposal,  so it seems  reasonable  to summarise it  in a structured way. At least for me installation of a global governance (even in a decentralised way) seems to go beyond my wildest dreams. A kind of  UN driven international agreement/contract?  Or open method of coordination?

But definitely I am inspired after reading this paper.

Author Response

Note: Dear reviewers, I found the proposed recommendations relevant and useful to improve the article and made my best to follow them as closely as possible.

Reviewer 1

I consider the paper a very interesting piece of research and a smart attempt to inspire intellectual elites and researchers worldwide to think outside the box. Indeed global management is among key challenges the human beings face nowadays. This article proposes a global development formula based on four main pillars and respective components. I am really impressed by the futuristic and comprehensive vision developed by the author. I also think that the proposed in this paper global development formula is sound and interesting. However, I do believe that the author might wish to reconsider the following before publications:

A - It would be great to better explain the notion of territoriality in this paper. The term “territorial development processes” is very general and perhaps needs operationalization. I have searched for explanations in the chapter entitled “The formula for a global positive territorial development favouring all” but this chapter and the next one is referring rather to the deterritorialization concept.

R: A short introductory paragraph was included in section 3 to better address the territorial development concept and the notion of territoriality

B - It would be also important to explain the notion of development so frequently used by the author. This is a very generic term and therefore needs some kind of operationalization.  The abstract might suggest that the author relates development to the quality of life but this might be explicitly explained since the global development formula seems broader.

R: A short introductory paragraph was included in section 3 to better address the notion of development

C - I would also encourage the author to provide in the introduction at least one sentence on the aim or purpose of the paper. I understand that the paper aims at triggering multi-disciplinary discussion. But this is only my assumption. Perhaps the aim is more farsighted.

R: A sentence was added in the introduction related to the purpose of the article.

D - Finally, I think that concluding part can propose a tentative and preliminary road map how the global governance can be installed in practice. There are several hints in the paper on that but this is the most decisive part of the entire proposal, so it seems reasonable to summarise it  in a structured way. At least for me installation of a global governance (even in a decentralised way) seems to go beyond my wildest dreams. A kind of UN driven international agreement/contract?  Or open method of coordination?

R: A paragrapth was added to propose this preliminary road map for global governance.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This is a very well thought through paper and the author shows a very deep understanding of the topic. I think that this paper adds quite a lot into the current global debate, especially emerging from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Well done. 

There are few points that I would like to raise that you may want to consider: 

1. The current global marketplace assuming that it produce nature (see Smith, N., O’Keefe, P., 1980. Geography, marx and the concept of nature. Antipode 12 (2), 30e39.). In this, humans have changed their relationship with nature with a massive contradiction. On one hand, humans see themselves as "external" to nature and the other hand they want to be incorporated into nature. You are taking this contradictory approach within this article, which talk about resource management and taming natural and cosmic hazards. This is actually problematic in achieving sustainability (see arguments by Geoff O'Brien, Phil O'Keefe, Ulrich Beck, etc).
2. If we take that humans are part of the animal kingdom of nature and this planet, it is arrogant to think that we are so important. For example, if there are no earthworms, insects and birds, the humans will really struggle to live on this planet. However, if there are no humans, the planet would flourish. The point is, if humans do not re-establish a harmonious relationship with this planet, the nature will decide to eradicate humans. 
3. In your formula, I am not sure whether you address the unmet challenges of climate change and how to deal with that. Within your formula of wealth, governance, resources and sustainability, how the immediate and long-term challenges of climate be addressed? 

These are some of the points that you may want to address. 

Author Response

Reviewer 2

This is a very well thought through paper and the author shows a very deep understanding of the topic. I think that this paper adds quite a lot into the current global debate, especially emerging from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Well done. 

There are few points that I would like to raise that you may want to consider: 

A - The current global marketplace assuming that it produce nature (see Smith, N., O’Keefe, P., 1980. Geography, marx and the concept of nature. Antipode 12 (2), 30e39.). In this, humans have changed their relationship with nature with a massive contradiction. On one hand, humans see themselves as "external" to nature and the other hand they want to be incorporated into nature. You are taking this contradictory approach within this article, which talk about resource management and taming natural and cosmic hazards. This is actually problematic in achieving sustainability (see arguments by Geoff O'Brien, Phil O'Keefe, Ulrich Beck, etc). - If we take that humans are part of the animal kingdom of nature and this planet, it is arrogant to think that we are so important. For example, if there are no earthworms, insects and birds, the humans will really struggle to live on this planet. However, if there are no humans, the planet would flourish. The point is, if humans do not re-establish a harmonious relationship with this planet, the nature will decide to eradicate humans. 

R: A remark on the human’s relationship with nature and the importance of incorporating the needs of all living beings in the global development formula was added ins section 6.

C - In your formula, I am not sure whether you address the unmet challenges of climate change and how to deal with that. Within your formula of wealth, governance, resources and sustainability, how the immediate and long-term challenges of climate be addressed? 

R: In section 6 I advance some measures to tackle climate change: “(re)forestation measures” … But added a few more: Promoting smart clean energy policies, a carbon market, changes in nourishment with more-meat free meals, green transportation.

Note: the English was proofed once again.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf