I propose, and will herein set forth, some details for the implementation of a system of Universality or World Unity. Pursuant to such a system, there would be universal understanding, via a common language, common systems, and the recognition and addressing of common problems and common goals. I am firmly convinced--and I am rather certain thast most anthropoligists, biologists, psychologists, sociologists, and historians would agree--that we humans are a great deal more similar to each other, than different from one another. This being the happy and fortunate case, I can be assured that the basic problems which confront me are similar to those of my brother as well--and that the fundamental goals which I harbor within myself as a civilized human being are actually simultaneously shared by the vast majority of civilized humankind everywhere.
I do not herein suggest a forsaking or abandonment of personal, family, local or regional feelings, traits, characteristics, or customs. I consider these to be ingredients of that which we call "culture," and to be normal as well as somewhat necessary. I furthermore have the deepest respect and admiration for customs and institutions which have been developed by numerous praiseworthy peoples over centuries of history and activity. What I am seeking to promote, however, is a sense of acceptance of, and harmony with, the feelings, traits, characteristics, and customs of all, by all. Most particularly, I seek replacement of what has come to be an almost automatic attitude of hostility on behalf of its membership and its culture, on the part of various groups, regarding real or imagined, past, present, or anticipated, offenses by other groups. I desire to see these attitudes replaced by feelings of acceptance and amiability. I have an unshakeable belief that we can all live together in peace and harmony; and that doing so would shortly result--not in a sacrafice, surrender, or handing over of rights or powers--but, rather, in numerous resultant benefits and gains which would naturally issue forth.
I additionally foresee, as a further extension of that which I herein seek to promote--being a condition which I consider to be an inevitable eventuality anyway--a blending of all of our cultures into a final universal super-culture of vast dimensions and greatness. Still further, I predict an eventual natural unity among people as well (i.e., absent unnatural interference, I foresee an eventual single "golden" race of very healthy, very intelligent, and hopefully very happy people). I am not espousing these blendings (although I recognize nothing wrong with them); I am merely predicting that this is what will likely occur anyway, whether we currently approve of this or not. And I observe, and will herein describe, a host of present trends which indicate the likelihood that future generations will continue to proceed in these directions--albeit naturally and unintentionally, if not knowingly and willingly. This being the case, I see no reason why we should not--at least on an elementary political level to begin with--move ourselves in the direction of the inevitable--but a trifle sooner. Perhaps in so doing, we will help our world to survive long enough for this predicted inevitable state to attain complete fulfillment.
I consequently look forward to an eventual day when we will all abide in a safe and happy world. There will be sensible and cognizant planning, to meet the needs of mankind--without the disruptive influences engendered by inter-factional competition and hostilities; and relieved of the wasteful drain and danger wrought by the maintenance of armies and the stockpiling of weapons. For the selfsame reasons, such plans thus arrived at will be remarkably capable of greater degrees of realization and accomplishment. There will be consequent peace and brotherhood amonbg all people; and harmony will prevail upon the face of the earth!
* * * * *
WHY A WORLD GOVERNMENT IS NECESSARY
Go out into the middle of an open field on a starry night, and look up into the sky. The million points of light that you see are a source of both amazement and wonder. We are bedazzled by the very existence of such an array of heavenly objects, some larger by far than our own earth and sun. And there are so many of them! Moreover, some of the lights we behold commenced their journeys toward our eyes many years before we were born.
Our universe is vast indeed. Within the range of our telescopes are at least a trillion billion (i.e.,
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) stars. Yet it is possible that intelligent life may exist on only one planet routinely spinning around one of these stars: To wit, our planet earth.
Where does this place our world within the infinite scheme of things? Is it just a lump of matter mechanically revolving around one of these "points of light"? Or is it, symbolically, the true "center" of this vast array of lights that constitutes our universe--being perhaps the only speck of matter bearing life forms who are aware of themselves and each other? If it be the latter, then our unique status makes it all the more appropriate for us to take all necessary steps to preserve who we are and what we possess; to safeguard and to improve our physical world; the life that dwells therein; mankind, being the crowning quintessence of life thus far; and civilization, being the highest and best accomplishment that mankind's intelligence has wrought to date.
* * * * *
As time goes on, our intelligence and achievements continue to grow and to expand. As this happens, it should become more and more apparent to all thinking people that we have a duty to use our gifts and accomplishments for the purpose of making the world a better and safer place for all of its inhabitants. At the same time, and as a corollary of the above, it becomes apparent that we owe our allegiance to an idea, rather than a "tribe." I submit that this "idea" consists of a concept calling for the application of the collective efforts of all of us, to improve conditions for all of us, without regard to, and without hindrence by reason of, the factions and boundaries that have shackled us thus far.
In his Second Treatise on Civil Government, John Locke tells us that "the earth and all that is therein is given to [all] men for the support and comfort of their being." To me, this implies a concept whereby there ought be no boundaries--ethnic, political, or geographic--to deprive anyone of that which nature has bestowed upon all of us--or of that which mankind has in his wisdom discovered, created, or devised.
I do not advocate universal free access to all things by all people. That would seem to constitute a form of communism or socialism to which I do not subscribe. What I do advocate, however, is a unification of all people, places, and things, guided by a single government, and directed only by logical and reasonable principles, for the benefit of, and improvement of conditions for, all of us. This is not so much "pie in the sky" as it may at first sound. For what I advocate is simply application of the resources that are presently at our disposal throughout the world to the difficulties and deficiencies that exist in various places within our world, without regard to national or other factional considerations, This is simple, and completely feasible. If there is a fire in Chile, and water in Argentina, it should be brought over what would have been the border, without impediment of national policy, to be used to extinguish it. If there is famine in France, and a plentiful harvest in Germany, aid should be transported across the Rhine, without encumbrance by customs, or price supports for farmers. Parenthetically, perhaps a few years later a problem will arise in the opposite direction, and need to be addressed in a similar fashion.
Concerning the economics of such transfers, things must, of course, be paid for, when and if at all possible. I believe in private ownership, where appropriate. But I also advocate a worldwide economy, wherein the price of wheat in France will be more or less the same as in Germany--or in America, or in Bangladesh--by reason of the fact that there would be a single currency worldwide, and a single set of economic standards and regulations worldwide. The only cause for variation in prices might be things like quality, or scarcity, or season, or cost of transport to different places.
* * * * *
In the early 1950's, Albert Einstein stated: "I believe in the brotherhood of man and the uniqueness of the individual." This was an accurate appraisal by an acknowledged genius. For across the world, we may look different, dress differently, eat differently, and worship differently--but our needs and desires are fundamentally similar. To the extent that we can understand and appreciate their nature and value, all of us want personal safety, economic security, good health, and personal freedom for ourselves and our loved ones. On the other hand, each one of us is unique; and by reason thereof, inclined and entitled to direct and express ourselves in accordance with the manner in which we have each individually developed. What stands in the way of universal availability of all of these sorts of basic rights--which belong to all humans--are the complications caused by factionalism, and by the ever-ongoing conflict whose origins lie in this very factionalism that I herein denounce.
* * * * *
No comments:
Post a Comment