Bog'liq environment-pollution-development-the-case-of-uzbekistan
203 10.1. Mutual cooperation and development The concept of mutual cooperation and develop ment was initi-
ally used in biology in relation to evolutionary interaction of two mu-
tually connected species when typical genetic features determine a
better fitness of one of the species; however, the dominating genetic
features of this species leave a considerable impact on other species.
Explaining the essence of mutual development, it is assumed that
there is an interaction between the essential features or part of the
features which then influence further evolution. Within the systems
of common development the proportions may change unpredictably.
We can imagine the Baltic Sea Region, its countries forming
a colourful patchwork quilt. The pieces hold well together in the
southern and western parts of the Baltic Sea Region; however, the
stitches appear looser in the direction from the east to the west.
Each particular ‘patch’, e.g. Latvia, develops its culture and economy
in its own way, while common development implies ties with the
neighbouring countries, too. Besides, new ties are being formed with
European Union Member States, and the earlier ties with the former
Eastern block are retained.
Today the more developed countries jointly evolve, using
the achievements of Western science and fossil hydrocarbon fuel
(oil, natural gas and coal). People use the same or similar che mi-
cal fertilizers and pesticides for cultivating similar varieties of
corn. However, the idea of common evolution should be based
on the idea of sustainable development. Thus, it would be for the
common benefit of all peoples, even if the develop ment patterns of
individual countries were different. Earlier cultural di ver sity was
possible because individual cultures had more space; represen ta-
tives of different cultures did not meet as frequently as today, and
communities depended on their own resources, labour and techno-
logies. The modern world is going through the process of globali-
sation: expansion of the market economy and advance of the
developing countries towards the common market, thus facilitating
an increasing uniformity in the world.
According to the eco‑
nomist R. Norgaard, the
development of a society
can also be considered
to be a common deve‑
lopment of the systems
of culture and ecology.
He calls it a paradigm
of common evolution
and predicts that the
progress and harmony
of the development
of different cultures in
future will be determined
by the potential of the
‘patchwork’ principle.