Changes in the contemporary West include increased populations; increased immigration and resulting cultural and spiritual diversity; cultural fragmentation due to modernity-based, object-oriented materialism; displacement of workers due to technological automation; international business competition and the growth of multinational corporations. People are having smaller families and there will be fewer people in extended families in the future. The development of cyberspace has also affected how people view their world. Because of these changes and other manifestations of Western culture, it appears that people have a less holistic vision of the relationship of meaning, value and justice in their lives. The natural environment, including lesser life forms, also requires immediate attention and preservation. All of these challenges will require changes in Western thought, intent and action if the West is to maintain its stability in the twenty-first century.
This thesis uses the Truth-based non-violent ideals and process thinking methods of Mahatma Gandhi to examine some of these critical issues that are facing the West. Gandhi had a complete set of Truth-based ideals, founded in the ageless, divinely-inspired law of love, that forms an idealized framework for meaningful, non-violent social change. This thesis examines some specific Gandhian ideals to see whether they might be applied to selected aspects of fragmented contemporary Western culture so that people might live more meaningful lives. The "global village" ideal will also be examined in relation to the lives of ordinary people and the desirability of a world government.