On the Hypotactic Imperative for a Transition from the Anthropocene to the Sustainocene

Abstract

The political, social and economic tensions revealed by the Anthropocene necessitate the adoption of the principle of hypotaxis as a constitutional principle leading to a new world-system of (free) charter-cities (rather than nation-states). To respond effectively to ecological crises, decision-making has to devolve to local communities by resurrecting the city-region as a body politic, through constitutional recognition of local sovereignty, including decision-making on environmental issues. Hypotaxis is the sine qua non for ushering the Sustainocene where humanity upholds its fiduciary duties towards all life on Earth.