Diversity

Diversity is a striking feature of most aspects of our world, both the natural world around us and the cultural world we have developed.

Ecological diversity

This is reflected by the amazing variety of species.

There are more than five hundred different types of Australian eucalypt.

Species mutate to cope with variations in their surroundings; the most stable species are those which are best able to cope with inhospitable change.

Diversity is an aspect of stability of our ecological framework.

Cultural diversity

This is witnessed by the amazing number of distinct languages.

The number extant is estimated to be around six thousand, but shrinking fast.

Linguists view languages as repositories of accumulated thought and experience. They consider their diversity to be a hallmark of true civilization.

Social theorists, on the other hand, argue that the homogenization of languages is indispensable for improved communications, which in turn are a vital element for global harmony and economic efficiency.

Political diversity

This is currently illustrated by the welter of unsustainable promises being made by both sides in the federal election campaign.

It is a widely held view that a diversity of political parties, espousing different viewpoints and policies, leads to instability of government.

Empirically, the `two-party system' has been established as the most stable.

Lack of diversity epitomizes political stability.