Human Development in the Process of Changing Economic Systems

This article examines the historical process through which Humanity develops through labour activity. The innate essence and concept of the Human Being are explained. This essence has a dual nature that encompasses the objective necessity for the social equality of all people and the unique individuality of each Human Being. People’s social equality is conditioned by the social nature of each Individual and by his or her capacity for creative thinking. The endless complexity of nature is embodied in the personal diversity and uniqueness of the Human Individual. The general law of development of Humanity, with labour as Humanity’s source, defines the internal contradiction of the essence. The degree to which a Human Being corresponds to his or her essential concept increases in the course of history. The equality of all people in the community is based on labour cooperation and collective property, not on the personal aspect. The specialisation of a small part of society on creative activity and of the majority of people on routine work has allowed the development of science and the progress of technology. The degree and depth of dehumanisation of a society that is divided by private property is determined by the type of tools employed in labour, and by labour productivity. The current industrial revolution, based on technology that employs few workers, transfers the Human Individual into the sphere of universal creative activity. The social differentiation of the last few millennia, private property, and coordination through the method of price fluctuations are barriers in the path of this revolution, barriers that will be swept away as the spread of the new technology goes ahead.