Colonial Worldview

Community

      The moral community is made up of those who share in the effort of discover, conquer and dominate ‘wild” or untamed nature.

System

     The system consists of various moral communities which are also engaged in this competition or which are destined to be subdued by it.  All of this is played out in a vastly expanded natural world of  plentiful resources that are there simply for the appropriation.

Authority

     Authority is vested in competing sovereignties which settle disputes by treaty, alliance or warfare.  Nothing like the authority of power.

Change

     Change occurs through the invention of new sailing techniques, manufacturing technology  and willful innovation.  Change is good  -- and necessary – for competitive survival of rival trading powers.  Growth for the sake of growth is good – stored as “money” .

Agency

    The “Lord helps those who help themselves.”  Explorers, discoverers and innovators are valued as agents of change.

Time

    The  focus is neither upon the past nor the remote future, but upon the present and the immediate future in which plans for growth, innovation and measurable expansion can be realized.  The “New World” is a “New Heaven and a New Earth”  -- Messianic communities abound.