Friday, September 27, 2013

A COMPARISON

Woodrow Wilson was one of our greatest Presidents.  His fondest dream was the establishment of a worldwide organization, whereby member nations could meet, negotiate and settle disputes, ending the need to routinely resort to warfare.  Ironically, the U.S. never became a member--due to our legislators' reluctance to permit anyone other than themselves (however sensible and appropriate others' suggestions might be) regarding our role in international affairs.  Wilson died heartbroken in the knowledge that the concepts he envisioned in his Fourteen Points--the last being the proposal for this association of nations--had been rejected by his fellow countrymen.  (In my book, "One World," I favorably describe President Wilson's efforts in this direction.)

President Obama somewhat reminds me of President Wilson.  He is extremely intelligent, yet not afraid to shed a tear in public.  Like Wilson, he believes that discussion ought precede pugnacity.  I am not averse to the use of power and might to deal with objective evil, when it can't be eliminated in any other way.  But I know that ignoring a potential problem as it arises, or refusing to speak with the source thereof, is an improper and dangerous choice.  I hope Mr. Kerry can at least "get the ball rolling" toward a sea change in our policies and activities regarding the Middle East.
   

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW


It has been asserted that military intervention by the United States in response to the Assad regime's alleged use of chemical weapons, absent United Nations approval, would constitute a violation of international law.  This is logically true--except:  From whence does "international law" emanate?  Where is it practiced?  How is it enforced?

The declarations recited during the 1899 and 1907 Hague Conferences, that chemical devices should never be resorted to (even before they were fully developed to be subsequently used in World War I) were obviously ignored  when the "War to end all Wars" finally broke out.  The prohibitions of same that issued out of the 1925 Geneva Convention were similarly frequently ignored.  (In fact, the United States didn't ratify it until 1975--a half century later.)

The League of Nations that followed World War I was an excellent idea--by an excellent American President (Woodrow Wilson)--who died heartbroken in the knowledge that his own country refused to join (contributing to its weakness and eventual failure, as World War II began).

The United Nations is similarly riven with ineffectiveness and politically driven contradictions.  Instead of a UNION of nations, it is but a COLLECTION of nations, where little is accomplished at the table--and even LESS in the field.  (In my book, World Unity, I detail the faults of both of these well-meaning but basically impotent organizations.)

Joining together with others to "straighten out the mess," seems a more sensible alternative.  Should the United States have fallen victim to its zeal to be "policeman of the world," and now "parent of the world," it would likely have accomplished little, and inherited more international disdain.

Monday, September 9, 2013

THE SYRIAN SCENARIO


The United States has been termed the "Policeman of the world," as we took steps to curb wrongdoing, and attempted to preserve the peace in places like Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, etc., etc.  This reminds me of the New York City Police Department's Youth Division stepping in to prevent or break up a "rumble" (youth gang conflict) on the Streets of New York.  However, the U.S. is now assuming the role of "parent" of the world--as we determine methods to "slap the wrist" of a misbehaving nation, or a faction therein.

Secretary of State John Kerry will see to it that the "spanking" we give the Assad regime is an "unbelievably small, limited kind of effort," to be directed toward a limited number of targets within a limited period of time.

I am reminded of "modern" parents, who may resort to "swatting" a misbehaving child on his "backside"--once!--as a means of dealing with his transgression.  (I don't recommend more brutal means be inflicted upon children--or anyone else, for that matter.  However, I can't help but consider such steps being laboriously considered and debated by nation "A," in response to suspected misbehavior by nation "B," to be not only ineffectual, but even a bit comical.)

In my book, World Unity, I liken nations' behavior to occasionally resemble that of children in a schoolyard, or youth gangs in certain urban neighborhoods.  I should have broadened these similes to include that of parents and children, when instances such as the Syrian scenario arise.

Friday, September 6, 2013

WHY SYRIA--BUT NOT RWANDA?


It doesn't take a genius mentality to decipher why this country (and England, and France, etc.) are laboriously considering and determining whether and how to respond to the horrible cruelty perpetrated by faction A (the Assad regime) and/or faction B (the rebels themselves) upon a thousand or more people--including many innocent men, women, and children--while truly WORSE factionalist nightmares, like Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, etc., etc., which resulted in MILLIONS of deaths, went on hardly noticed by the powers that be in our part of the world (save for a "Band-Aid" application of a few Blue Helmets in the case of Rwanda). 

Among the more obvious answers is the fact that the Middle East, with its oil-fueled atmosphere and economy, has long been of direct (as in development and investment) or at least indirect (as in the need to keep our machines and vehicles running) importance to many of the giant earners here and nearby.  I speak a lot about the evils of factionalism and harmful self-interest in numerous parts of my book, "World Unity."

While the ultimate ambition should naturally be the fostering and maintenance of peace and harmony among all of us--our leaders should decide upon necessary and sensible steps to deal with such wrongs as should occur, considering only scope and importance, without regard to the economic factors or interests pertaining to the particular place involved.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

GLOBAL WARMING



It appears that many of us, up until this present very hot August day, continue to debunk the warnings about the sorry state of our environment--and particularly about the fact that global warming is real, is caused to a great extent by humanity's heedless activities, and will come to constitute a real and horrid danger in the years ahead.  Picture, for example, instead of the 91 to 93 daytime degrees we have been enduring for weeks in central Florida, waking up to a weather forecast of 110 to 120 degrees (such as did recently befall parts of California).

In my book, World Unity, I devote a good deal of comment to our broken ecology, together with proposals to repair it before it is too late (said activities must necessarily transcend individual nations' claims of "sovereignty"--which are frequently but an excuse to continue ignoring and promoting ecological disaster in said nation's corner of the world--by reason of the fact that the results of unwise and damaging activities do not stop at "the border," but become worldwide in scope and effect. 

As regards the allegation that 90-X percent of the scientific community are of the opinion that global warming is truly occurring--and that the culprits are largely we humans--I am constrained to utter the old-but-wise platitude that "fifty million Frenchmen can't [likely] be wrong" (i.e., we should "play safe," and side with the majority of the scientific world).

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

REFUGEES




Today, we are told, there happen to be at least two million of these unfortunate persons--approximately half of which being children--as a result of the ongoing efforts by one faction to wrest control of government within Syria from its current possessors of power.  A particularly cruel and unjust situation that arises when factional conflict flares up within a particular locale is the creation of a refugee populace.

It is likely that the faction seeking to gain control away from the present powers that be possess no more competence or capability to effectively direct affairs, or deal with conditions that should arise within, that portion of our world than those who are now so desperately and stubbornly seeking to retain it (to the point of possibly resorting to the infliction of chemical weapons upon women and children).  One probable result will be for many of the "lucky" survivors to become additional members of the aforesaid "refugee" multitude.

In my book, World Unity, I detail the causes, extent, and needless suffering associated with the creation of refugee populations in various parts of our world; how factional conflict is frequently at its root; and how illogical border lines have served to exclude--or sometimes to imprison--human beings at numerous times and places.

What is needed in this presently unfortunate part of our world--and everywhere else, in actuality--is a joinder of all people to request, seek, and demand a single unified guiding entity, whose purpose would not be to exercise and retain power--but to promote and preserve benefit and betterment for all people, regardless of religious, cultural, or other affiliation.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013






This Blog has been recently published by Braeside Press in its entirety, as a book entitled World Unity  It is available, among other places, on Amazon and as an E-book on Kindle.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

TOWARD A NEW TOMORROW




I have devoted many years of spare-time hours to the composition of a book entitled World Unity
(It consists of the contents of this Blog since its inception).  What has impelled me--more accurately, what has compelled me--to do so can be summed up in a few sentences.

Through the years, I have become increasingly aware of the foolish ideas and outdated assumptions that most of the world--including basically all of mankind's leaders--continue to espouse, take guidance from, and act in accordance with.  And more importantly, I have observed--via evidence that should be readily apparent to all of us--that civilization, mankind, life, and the world itself are all in states of grave danger by reason of our apparent blindless to some simple facts:

1.  That humanity, who in earliest times developed as and into separate groups, has become interwoven into a single worldwide "family" of civilized beings, and possessors of ever-increasing degrees of intelligence and capability.

2.  That, despite this, most of us continue to blindly cling to the baseless, illogical, and erroneous concepts that humankind is actually composed of a number of separate self-interested factions, each abiding within insensibly defined lines, and each ever-watchful of--when not outright hostile toward--their respective neighbors.

3.  That each of these sub-families regularly surrender their fortunes and well-beings to a host of leaders, whose powers have been derived via force, heredity, or popularity--instead of competence and capabilityfor the operation of this vast and complicated mechanism that comprises our world.

4.  That we have thus permitted our twenty first century existence to have developed into, and to continue as, a factional monstrosity, composed of alliances born of strategic and economic rationale; torn by hatred, violence, and revenge; and directed by leaderships that are improperly motivated and frequently lacking in the skills needed to guide and direct our planet and the society that dwells upon it. 

5.  That, realize it or not, we are now therefore perched upon a precipice of likely disaster, which will visit probable catastrophic effects upon most, if not all, of civilization, mankind, life, and the world, in the not-too-distant future.

Readers of the foregoing will certainly include "realists," who will decry what has been said as impractical nonsense.  They will warn that absence of national boundaries, defended by national armies, is a ridiculous, naive, and even dangerous idea.  Their view of the world is of "a violent brew of selfish and conflicting" interests (Scott A. Hunt, The Future of Peace), wherein it is normal for opposing camps to be regularly composed, defined, and modified as daily events should dictate; and to wage battle between and amongst one another on a regular basis.

But a small measure of reason is all that is necessary to readily penetrate this haze of outmoded--indeed, ancient--logic.  It has been my purpose herein to demonstrate that nation-states, managed by nationalist and factionalist leaders, are today meaningless and dangerous vestiges of the past.  Within them, many continue to blindly subscribe to and maintain the rationale of the group, emphasizing and "rallying 'round" some thread of supposed common identity, and employing this as justification for alienating, vilifying, and even perpetrating injustice and violence upon, other groups---whose members are usually in many ways quite similar to themselves.  As a consequence of this, priorities and agendas are everywhere confused and contradictory.

In the United States, for example--which has become a nation of sports fans and warriors--we pay millions to football players and spend billions upon military equipment and warfare.  We do battle and sacrifice lives in the interest of national concerns and principles that are factional in origin, and sometimes of questionable merit.

At the same time, in places that command insufficient economic or poolitical significance, we, our allies, and our competitors, permit truly horrendous wrongs and problems to arise, exist, and continue unabated.  Children starve and die, from diseases that are easily prevented and cured.  Genocide is practiced in wholesale proportions; and afforded but mild verbal reprimand, when not blindly ignored altogether.  Millions continue to live in utter poverty, amidst appalling living conditions; while not that many miles away, mansions and condos costing seven and even eight figures in U.S. Dollars are routinely advertised and sold.  In the name of sovereignty--which in this instance translates into support for business interests within the particular nation-state--governments refuse to give wholehearted support to environmental reform, while our planet plummets onward toward ecological disaster.

                                                                      * * * * *

The age of cultures developing in unknowing isolation ended long ago.  The age of group members needing to maintain security for themselves sole via loyalty to each other and distrust for the rest in order to sjurvive has also become naturally extinct.  This was  noted long ago by Charles Darwin, who observed that as tribes united into ever-larger communities, reason would impel all to extend their sympathies to all members of the united group--and subsequently, theoretically, to "men of all nations and races."  This view is confirmed and augmented by Albert Einstein, who, in his Ideas and Opinions, suggests that all of mankind ought join together into a single supranational state.  Indeed, he warns, "there is no salvation for civilization, or even the human race, other than the creation of a world government."

                                                                    * * * * *

We need to recognize, before it is too late, that we all do constitute but a single community.  We need to stop destroying one another for the sake of nationalist and factional ideals.  Instead we should recognize our obligations to assist one another, in a common quest for happiness and security.

In his 1965 inaugural address, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson reminded us that "we are all passengers on a dot of earth [hurtling through space]....How incredulous it is that in this fragile existence we should hate and destroy one another?"

And, during the demise of the Iron Curtain, in a 1987 speech delivered in Prague, Czechoslavakia, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned that "Today the world's nations are interdependent, like mountain climbers on a rope...[who] can either climb together to the summit or fall together into the abyss."

In the eighteenth century, a Russian playwright named Denis Fonvisin remarked that a man alone in a room, with a pad and pencil in his hand, can effect change, and even be a savior, within society.  During prior years, and subsequently as well, a host of authors and political philosophers have somewhat done that very thing--expressing, commenting upon, usefully criticizing, and providing helpful guidance to, society's ever-onward progression through nationalism, alliances, international organizations, and today's globalization.  As was declared by a Senate leader in 1964, during the enactment of the Civil Rights Bill in America,  "No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come."  And it seems as if the time and ideas for new and further improvement for mankind and society are today once more upon us.

The fact that certain modes of behavior, or methods of governmental functioning, are widespread, across time and/or place, does not mean they cannot be changed, or should not be changed.  It is my primary purpose herein to urge that traditional forms of authority be replaced as necessary, in a sensible and orderly manner, by rational, impersonal, universal rules directed solely toward targets consisting of benefit to society and security for mankind.  In this manner, earthly happiness, through the exercise of reason and logic--which is feasible--will become realizable--and hopefully eventually accomplished.

                                                                 * * * * *

Over the years, my memory keeps returning to an account I read in more than one book about something that occurred on the Western Front during World War I.  There, on Christmas Day in 1914, the fighting suddenly stopped.  German and Allied troops emerged from their trenches and approached each other.  They wished one another a "Merry Christmas," exchanged little hastily devised gifts, and even engaged in friendly games of football (soccer).  The next day, the warfare resumed, by the selfsame participants--who apparently knew and accepted the grim credo they were condemned to follow:  that "there was no way out of the war, except through death...or victory." (J. A. S. Grenville, A History of the World in the Twentieth Century)

But today, I disagree.  Today, there is a way out of our grim circumstances.  If enough of us begin to climb out of our trenches--trenches that have been dug by our predecessors over the centuries--ditches reinforced and preserved by erroneous beliefs and assumptions, and by refusal to recognize obvious truths and solutions--and approach one another in confidence that change can be accomplished, by simply beginning the process of working toward it--then one day, a bright new tomorrow will dawn--for civilization, mankind, life and our world.

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Saturday, February 2, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT




It should be kept in mind that, upon actual commencement of such a new arrangement as is envisioned and described herein, prior existing debts, obligations, and/or terms agreed upon in prior treaties, agreements, or other forms of contracts or legal documents, should be sought to be preserved and adhered to, to such extent as this should be reasonably possible and appropriate.

It should also be noted that, as in any case wherein new methods or procedures have been instituted, the mere passage of time will serve to cause old obligations to lose urgency and affect; and leftover conflicts and inconsistencies to diminish in consequence, and to eventually fade away.

                                                                           * * * * *

Notwithstanding the concepts frequently voiced by me in the recent past regarding the arrival at decisions, and formulation of plans, legislation and actions only via the application of logic to objectively determined facts and circumstances, a completely incontrovertible "dictatorship"--no matter how soundly based nor beneficially intended--should neither be created nor tolerated.

Consequently, underlying all of these aforesaid operations of government, and the authority of all who would thus fill these aforedescribed offices, there would alsays need to be a means by which a certain predetermined percentage of the population would be able to register complaint or grievance; and to which attention, as well as logical and objective--but nonetheless satisfactory--corrective measures would be applied.

Policies and actions, as well as additions or deletions thereto, and modifications thereof, should never be effectuated solely as a result of recommendations or arbitrary decisions byh one or more persons, interest groups, or entities.  Rather, they should always be arrived at via logically and objectively based determinations, resorting to measures and procedures which would be formulated by the new world governm3ent (via similarly logical zand objective means).

                                                                     * * * * *

World Unity is not an economic system.  Nor is it a political system.  In actuality, as prior postings have indicated, it seems best described as an apolitical system.  It is, therefore, not a system that seeks or endorses pure self-determination in the hands of the crowd, regarding the decisions and operations that will affect all of us.  Strictly applied self-determination, or rule by the largest portion of the crowd, has often failed to prove itself as being the most advantageous or beneficial for that particular self-determining group, and/or for its neighbors or associates, and/or for the rest of the world in general.  It has, moreover, frequently later revealed itself as being productive of conditions or results that were somewhat less than just or compassionate or effective over the long term.  In addition, history has demonstratedthat when the majority's wishes are actuated, via decisions and actions of its elected representatives, the results often differ somewhat from original expectations--as said hopes and intentions are transported through the foundry of politics and self-interest.

Instead, guidance and direction which is professionally and expertly conceived and executed,--having the welfare of, and benefit to, all of mankind as its solitary logical and reasonable goal--is recommended as a more desirable alternative.  Such a form of leadership seems superior to, and consequently more advantageous than, government by dictators, claimants of hereditary right to rule, self-serving demagogues, or pooliticians compelled to keep one eye focused upon party headquarters and/or the next election.

Moreover, what is needed most is representation of, in the interest of, all people--which, after the elimination of factional considerations and conflicts, should prove to be rather similar everywhere.

                                                                   * * * * *

What is herein suggested is admittedly a major leap forward.  The changes recommended are, admittedly, broad and sweeping.  But sometimes change, albeit extensive, is nevertheless what is required .

We hesitate because we are normally impeded by our current knowledge, acquaintences, and experiences, the security afforded by old ways, and our fear of the novel.  But we must nevertheless surely admit that some departure from the direction in which we are now travelling is indeed  necessary.  What is suggested herein might seem quite innovative.  But that, I believe, is what constitutes its virtue:  it is not but another rehash of the same or similar ineffective blueprint.

Sufficient consideration will lead to a conclusion that these proposals are in fact reasonable, and, with the appropriate quantity of exposure, consequent support, and competent professional fine-tuning and effectuation, capable of actual accomplishment.  My memory keeps returning to the words of Professor Martin Rees, who warns us that the human race appears to have but a fifty percent chance of survival into the twenty second century, in view of the perilous conditions that exist in today's world. (Martin Rees, Our Final Hour)  What more compelling warning can be required to convince us of the necessity for mankind to finally unite for the sake of our common safety and welfare as soon as possible?

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Thursday, January 31, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




THE SELECTION PROCESS
Who would comprise the personnel of these new governmental entities that I have been proposing herein?

As I have stated in the past, the roles of highest leadership should be filled by the most capable and competent individuals in the various fields of endeavor from which such leaders would be required.  Moreover, such persons should be free from political or monetary aspirations, as regards their roles in office.

A method would have to be instituted to determine the identity of at least several such people within each respective field as should be required.  There should be no political activity in the identification or choosing of those who would be listed among the persons to be requested to thus serve mankind in these capacities.  No person, group, or entity would arbitrarily nominate or appoint anyone.  Instead, nominations and appointments would need to be accomplished via an objective process, constituting a logical and objective method of determination.  

Individuals' educations, employments, experiences, and accomplishments--together with, or matched against, the parameters and requirements for the function or position in question--would comprise elements of the computation suggested for thus determining the most appropriate persons to perform in each role.  Personal details, regarding potential nominees' age, state of health, personal circumstances, life experiences, and other such relevant data, could and should also be included as part of the decision-making process.

Might compouter programs be created to assist in determinations such as this?  This is theoretically possible--and perhaps preferable to the human tendency to involuntary consider extraneous or irrelevant facts and circumstances.  But questions would arise, and issues need to be resolved, concerning things including:
a.  who would compose such programs; and
b.  the content, and consequent reliability, of same.

Appointments would be made following consent to so serve by the highest ranked nominee.  As has been stated earlier, a scale of very generous compensation would likely need to be established, in order to further convince some of such individuals to leave their present situations to take part in the birth and cultivation of a vastly improved world.

Terms should probably ordinarily be lifetime in duration, or for so long as the officeholder should be willing and capable to so serve, with no significant reduction in competence and performance; and not having become junaccfeptable to the world's populace for some essential reason.  On the other hand, procedures should be in place for the resignation or removal of officeholders whose capability or performance should be objectively determinjed to have become diminished.  Of course, resignation would be available to all, at any time, as is the case with government officials at present.

There would, moreover, need to be provision for processes, somewhat similar to our present-day arrangements for impeachment and/or recall, when it appears that an individual is performing less than in accordance with (logically and objectively) determined expectations or requirements--and fails to recognize or refuses to admit this fact as a basis for his or her resignation.

In addition to the above, means and procedures would need to be developed and put into place to guard against, detect, and deal with, corruption on the part of any member of, or group within, the governing body.

                                                                  * * * * *

As for the next tiers of service, and the balance of government positions, tests should be administered worldwide, among present as well as erstwhile government functionaries and employees, in order to achieve and maintain a uniform level of competence and capability within every level of each of the respective functions.  Concerning all of these positions as well, generous compensation should be provided, in order to help maintain motivation, and to enable such persons the world over to live lives of sufficiency and dignity. 

And, of course, opportunities for advancement, accompanied by appropriate increases in pay, should exist for every such government functionary and employee.  In view of the existence of a single worldwide economy, pay levels for all similar positions would be more or less equal everywhere (other than, as I have stated in the past, regarding pay for the same duties to be performed in less desirable, more uncomfortable, or more dangerous circumstances or locales).

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

The government which I have been herein humbly describing, and refer to as a "World Guiding Body," should also contain a Judicial branch, which might consist of, and perform functions similar to, the following:

1.  A uniform worldwide system of courts, for the purpose of dealing with criminal as well as civil legal proceedings, ought be established.  A uniform set of just rules and  procedures should be enacted governing such proceedings before these tribunals.

In criminal proceedings, the defendant should always be afforded the benefit of rights which include the specification of the charges against him, opportunity to make a full and free defense, as well as the right to retain counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine prosecution witnesses.  Present rules concerning prohibition of self-incrimination and double jeopardy, similar to those contained in the United States' criminal codes, should be made to apply.

In a unified world, with a single universal set of statutes and codes, it seems that concepts concerning jurisdiction (i.e., a political entity's sovereign power to make laws concerning acts which occur, or have effect, within its territory) would no longer exist.  Neither would extradition (whereby nation A would surrender a suspected or convicted criminal to nation B, regarding a crime committed in nation B); nor rendition (an equivalent of extradition, as between a pair of sub-national entities--such as the states of the United States).  However, rules concerning venue (whereby the appropriate place for trial of a criminal matter would be the locale wherein the crime was committed--tempered by concerns regardeing fairness to, and/or the convenience of, the defendant and witnesses) should continue to be a factor.

Rules proscribing excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments should also be universally adhered to .

I additionally recommend a simplification of the rules concerning admissibility and presentation of evidence, and regarding the conduct of formal trials, both civil as well as criminal.  The medieval atmosphere, and rules bearing similarity to those for a game of chess, ought be discard3ed for the sake of smooth, clear, and logical presentation to, and perception by, the Court, where people's destinies are being dealt with, and are thus at stake.

I would further venture to recommend that all issues of fact and law be adjudged by a Court consisting of three Judges, without benefit of a jury, in the conduct of civil as well as criminal proceedings.  Juries' verdicts are not dependable; nor do they uniformly conform to the type, quantity, and quality of the evidence presented before them.  Furthermore, the members of a jury are often biased from the outset (regardless of efforts to prevent this, via the "voir dire" process [interview of a panel of prospective jurors], questionnaires, pre-trial motions, "gag" orders, attempts to change venue, and resort to psychologically-oriented jury selection services).  Juries have occasionally committed gross error due to clever courtroom dramatics, exclusion of some key witness or evidence, or incompetent representation by counsel for one of the parties.  It is a consequently widely known fact that innocent persons have been sent to prison--and even to their deaths--while guilty parties have doubtless occasionally gone free.  Moreover, most civil litigators will readily tell you that jury verdicts have not always been absolutely fair or correct in cases they have handled as well.

Obvio0usly, Judges can likewise be mistaken, biased, or unduly influenced.  Thus, I would respectfully suggest as a possibility that a system be devised whereby three Judges hear a case; each issue a written verdict or opinion; which would thereupon be reviewed by the other two; and the three subsequently meet to jointly transform the aforesaid into a final decision.

2.  Tribunals should be established whose purpose and function would be the disposition of such disputes as should be brought before them by parties seeking resolution via binding arbitration.  Binding arbitration seems a preferred method for dealing with many, if not all, legal issues--both civil as well as criminal--by reason of its simplicity, directness, and absence of the many needless, confusing, and confounding traits which have continued to be carried over into twenty first century practice before our courts.

Consent by all parties to a civil dispute, or by the defendant in a criminal action, that the matter at hand be dealt with via binding arbitration would obviously need to be a prerequisite to its being disposed of in such a fashion.  Other than rare challenges, based upon charges of things like impropriety or gross error, determinations arrived at via proceedings in arbitration would not be subject to review or appeal.

3.  Additional tribunals ought also be established for the submission of many civil, as well as, possibly, some minor criminal proceedings, to voluntary mediation.  Many civil, and such lesser criminal matters as should be deemed appropriate for such treatment, might be dealt with, subject to established parameters and standards, in a more informal, flexible, and humane fashion. 

4.  Bodies for the consideration and disposition of administrative matters would also need to be established.  Included among such matters to be thus adjudicated would be actions, as well as failures or refusals to act, on the part of any and all administrative agencies that would be established as part of the World Planning Body (Executive branch, described a couple of days ago).

5.  Another function of the Judicial branch, which would be performed by a superior circuit of courts, would comprise:
a.  the entertainment of, and the reaching of determinations concerning, appeals from the highest of the aforementioned tribunals from which appeals should lie;
b.  challenges concerning conformity:
     i)  of determinations reached by the World Planning Body--as regards the World Constitution and/or existing legislative enactments;
     ii)  of legislative enactments--as regards the World Constitution, present legislative enactments, and/or prior determinations by the World Planning Body.

Procedural rules pertaining to practice before all of the above tribunals should be codified into a single worldwide set of rules and procedures, by a worldwide group of legal experts having exspertise and experience in the drafting of same.  Such a code would include rules concerning the commencement of proceedings, contents of pleadings, conduct of trial, rules re evidence and testimony, as well as rules and standards pertaining to appeals and challenges as hereinabove referred to.

                                                                  * * * * *






 




Tuesday, January 29, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITIO N OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




19.  Labor

Once more, the anticipated existence of a uniform economy and currency should foster uniform standards, conditions, and pay scales, for workers everywhere.  Rates of pay should continue to be privately arrived at via agreement between employers and employees, or their representatives.  Variations would of course continue to be based upon level of skill, working conditions, comfort and danger within the particular work locale, etc.  Minimum rates of pay, minimum standards and conditions of employment, as well as safety regulations, ought be set forth in a worldwide labor code.

A uniform worldwide system of unemployment benefits should also be put into place; as well as a system for providing benefits to employees who are rendered unable to continue employment due to accidents or illness, whether or not job-related.



20.  Mental Hygiene

Standards for care and rehabilitation of the mentally ill and mentally challenged should be codified, and subsequently applied to eventually benefit all necessary recipients worldwide.  Special schools, special workplaces, special housing, and other essential facilities ought be anticipated and subsequently provided according to need all over the world.

Of course, existing facilities would be included, expanded, or upgraded as necessary; and be required to deliver services in accordance with minimum standards of competence, efficiency, and quality of care.



21.  Navigation

With the disappearance of national borders, the seas will likewise become a universqal place, belonging to mankind and navigable by all (subject to standards and regulations concerning order, safety, and ecology).  All water-borne vessels would need to be operated in accordance with such a set of standards governing transportation and commerce on the high seas as well as within inland waterways.  The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas should be consulted as a guide for the composition of such standards.

Our seas would likewise be patrolled on a worldwide basis to render assistance where necessary, and to prevent unlawful activities, such as smuggling of contraband goods as well as piracy.

Another division of this title ought similarly cover the operation of airplanes and other such aeronautical vehicles.  A third might later provide such regulation for vehicles and devices that are to travel beyond the earth's atmosphere.



22.  Patents, trademarks, and copyright

In a unified world, laws concerning patents, trademarks, and copyrighted material will have worldwide effect, and such items and material should enjoy worldwide license and protection.  Universal standards and procedures for registration and safeguard would need to be enacted.  A universal registry for each of the above would need to be established, having worldwide access via the Internet.

In the beginning, any conflicts or duplications, particularly regarding similar patents or trademarks that were awarded in two or more countries, would need to be dealt with in an equitable fashion, by an international body constituted for this purpose.  WQith the passage of time, however, these kinds of problems shoulod eventually resolve themselves.



23.  Property, real and personal

A uniform system for bringing concepts regarding property into the twenty first century all over the world will need to be instituted.  Laws, rules, and regulations concerning interests in, ownership, and conveyances of, all forms of property should be the same in every part of the world.

Existing private property rights should not be tampered with.  Government property throughout the world would also continue to be government property, now belonging to the world's governing body.  On the other hand, should consolidation of government produce surpluses, redundant properties can be sold to private purchasers. 



24.  Railroads

A borderless world will also mean that railroads can operate across national and continental borders.  A uniform set of standards and safeguards should be enacted governing the operation of all lines.  (Naturally, this might be impossible or impracticable as regards railroads operating on trackbeds having different dimensions.)

Perhaps major railroads will be thus encouraged to similarly join together, merging and coordinating their roadbeds, and thus operating with expanded resources, as well as greater potential for safety, efficiency, and service.



25.  Retirement and Social Security

Retirement benefits as well as health insurance for the elderly should come to be instituted on a worldwide basis.  No one should be deprived of a decent lifestyle when too old to earn a living. 



26.  Social services

A system of aid to all dependent children, as well as to any and all others who are in genuine need and/or unable to completely help themselves, should be initiated.  This ought to also include education, rehabilitation, and work programs, designed to assist such people to ultimately help themselves--where, and to such extent as should be, possible.



27.  Tax

Tax reformation, in the form of a universal simplified code, perhaps levying a flat tax upon the spending, and/or the incomes, and/or the possessions, of everyone, in a just and equitable manner, pought be established.  There should be no "loopholes," or "tax breaks," available to anyone.  The goal should always be to collect sufficient sums to cover all expenses.  There should be no deficits, oir "borrowing against tomorrow," if at all possible.

Though I consider myself far from an expert concerning such matters--a fair, simple, concept seems to be one that consists of something like:

a.  determining how much will be necessary to operate the world's government, and all its programs, during the upcoming year;

b.  adding a (professionally determined) percentage thereof, or additional sum to be added thereto, as a "safety factor."

c.  determining the amount of income garnered by all of the world's earnings-producing population (including non-exempt corporations, and other such entities) during the prior year.

d.  dividing the total of the sums referred to in "a" and "b" by the amount determined per "c";

e.  imposing a tax, at the fractional rate thus arrived at, upon all of the world's population, corporations, etc.;

f.  applying the balance remaining in the world's treasury (due to the "safety factor" sum referred to in "b") to reduce the amount that will be determined to be necessary (per "c" above) the following year.

The absence of military expenses throughout the world, together with the elimination of much of the cost implicit in the maintenance of hundreds of duplicate governmental activities and operations across the globe, will probably reduce the tax burden for all, and/or at least compensate for the added costs of some of the new or improved systems and programs that I have been suggesting herein.



28.  Vehicles and traffic

Operators of motor vehicles everywhere should be subject to the same rules and requirements.  Thus, a single worldwide set of regulations and safety precautions pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles would be initiated.



29.  Statutes concerning wills, estates, and trusts

Decedents' estates, the probate of wills, and the administration of trusts, should be dealt with in the same fashion worldwide.  An international panel of legal experts would need to compose universal codes dealing with these subjects.

Here too, I would imagine it best that existing arrangements--especially those that are no longer capable of modification by the creator--be permitted to continue as then-presently constituted, until there be none left.  (The "Rule Against Perpetuities," or its equivalent in other places--which prevents testamentary  provisions from being effectual over too long a period--should be given universal application, so as to bring about eventual self-resolution of most of this.)



30.  Statutes concerning governmental officers and offices

Laws, standards, and practices concerning powers, duties, functions, activities, appointment, compensation, term of office, resignation, and removal, of all members of all branches of government would need to be codified so as to insure fairness and uniformity within all branches of government on a worldwide basis.

                                                        * * * * *

                                                     







 

 




Monday, January 28, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT




STATUTES IN A UNIFIED WORLD (cont.)



11.  Debtor, creditor, and bankruptcy laws

A worldwide bankruptcy code should be enacted.  Its aim would be the provision of relief wheremerited, so that deserving business entities and private parties might begin anew; but ending unfair advantage to reckless spendthrift activitiesmotivated by liberal ba nkruptcy provisions.  In addition, uniform worldwide laws and rules governing general relations and practices between debtors and creditors should be put into place.



12.  Domestic Relations

Here too, it is recognized that customs as well as religious and other practices around the world have created a wide array of marital relationships and institutions, that are dealt with in a variety of fashions.

Of course, religious customs and institutions regarding marriage ought not be inteerfered with (unless they are productive of actual objective harm to the parties or others).  That is to say, people of a particular faith or social grpoup should be permitted to pursue their own--religiously and/or culturally based--mores and customs pertaining to marriage and family, should they so desire.  On the other hand, imposition of religiously and/or culturally-based requirements or prohibitions upon unwilling members of such a faith or social group should not be permitted to occur.  In addition, a uniform set of statutes governing the freedom, safety, and security of all, regarding the civil aspects of family law, should be enacted.

It is further likely that a constantly shrinking globe will eventually produce a measure of worldwide uniformity concerning marriage and families.  But this should be permitted to transpire naturally--and never be made to happen via governmental or statutory prescription, privilege, or prohibition.



13.  Education

As set forth earlier, it is hoped that a worldwide educational systemwill be built--using, of course, and expanding upon, parts of what is already in place; and not disturbing the operation of any current venerable institutions of learning.  It is envisioned that the resulting educational system, and the laws and rules concerning it, would eventually provide opportunity for children everywhere, and adults as appropriate, to obtain quality education.

It is expected that worldwide opportunities for education would become increasingly available via the Internet, and future related developments thereof.  Regulations and standards govewrning such things will need to be enacted, and modified, as progress causes this to be necessary.



14.  Eminent Domain

Subject to true need for actual public purposes or public benefit, and subject as well to proper compensation to the owner for such takings, private property must be appropriated on occasion by the governing entity.  Pursuant to a single worldwide economy, expressed in a single universal currency, values will be more uniform (i.e., not at variance due to national or regional locale--but nonetheless still subject to variations based on ordinary significant characteristics, such as location within the community, value of current improvements, nature of present use, highest and best potential use, etc.).  The goal is for all to be treated justly, and uniformly generously, regarding this occasionally necessary governmental function.



15.  Environmental conservation

In keeping with what I have stated a number of times in the past--as well as what has been repeatedly urged by a great many people and organizations during recent years--it is time to codify sound environmental standards that will need to be complied with and enforced worldwide.

As with other subjects set forth herein, a group of ecological experts would need to draft requirements which would be as reasonable and palatable as possible--but nonetheless sound, effective and dilligently enforced by a single worldwide agency.

In my opinion--and that of a great many other people as well--the safety and rehabiolitation of our planet must be a primary concernand priority for mankind during the twenty first century.



16.  Health benefits

Everyone should have access to appropriate medical care throughout his or her lifetime.  Instead of the current hodge-podge of systems presently in effect in some places (some of which being excellent, some mediocre, and some poor), and the absence of any such assistance in other locales, a worldwide system to provide a uniform reasonable array of benefits everywhere should be set up, and its operation commenced as soon as practicable.

Currently operating private health insurance entities could continue provision of services.  A worldwide governmental program might be instituted, in lieu of or to supplement this, where necessary--perhaps similar to, and perhaps an improvement upon, the programs currently in the process of enactment in the United Stastes, and/or those currently in place in a number of other countries--so as to result in a universal network wherein no one shall fail to be entitled to appropriate health care as long as he or she lives.



17.  Highways

It is hoped that a worldwide highway system, containing the latest in improvements and safety features, will be established, constructed, and added to as necessary.  Codes and regulations concerning road building, markings, methods of control, etc., should be enacted embracing this worldwide system.  A result would consist of the ability of anyone to operate a motor vehicle anywhere on earth, subject to the same conditions and regulations.  (Amusingly, one detail that woyuld need to be "ironed out" and agreed upon would be whether traffic shouold keep to the left or the right--everywhere.)



18.  Insurance

Codes for uniform regulation of insurers, and uniform benefits to insureds, worldwide, would likewise need to be enacted and put into place.

As I have stated previously concerning banking, it is hoped that a universal economy and currency will impel insurance companies the world over to work together, and hopefully join together, in order to be enabled to provide uniform services and maintain uniform requirements, for people and commercial interests throughout the world.

(to be continued)




 










 

Sunday, January 27, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




STATUTES IN A UNIFIED WORLD

Subjects that should be covered, and ends that ought be pursued, by a new set of worldwide statutory enactments might include the following:

(The subjects of that which follows are set forth in an alphabetical order--which does  not mean to represent an order of importance thereof)



1.  Alcoholic Beverages and other substances that require control

It is widely known that certain substances are permitted, or allowed to go unnoticed, in certain parts of the world.  Meanwhile, some or all are forbidden in other places.  This would have to be dealt with as necessary on a place-by-place basis--keeping in mind that which has been stated earlier that religions as well as cultures ought neither be interfered with nor promoted in any place or in any manner--with the hopeful end in view of eventually abolishing the use of harmful substances everywhere.



2.  Banks and banking

With a universal economy and universal currency as ambitions set forth earlier, it would be hoped and anticipated that the banking institutions of the world would work together, and perhaps join together, so as to provide uniform standards, service and requirements to people and commerce everywhere.  It is also likely that present instrumentalities, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, would be resorted to, and/or possibly integratet into the entity that would emerge as a consequence thereof.



3.  Building and construction codes

Uniform standards and safeguards for the building trades and construction personnel, as well as subsequent occupants and users of buildings and other such facilities, should be enacted, applied, and enforced the world over, for the safety and comfort of everyone.



4.  Business, not-forp-profit, and other sorts of corporations and entities

In a unified world, corporations would be entitled to do business as such worldwide.  Perhaps corporations doing similar things in different places might wish to merge together, resulting in  possession of increased assets, and ability to provide goods and/or services more efficiently in more markets.

In addition, a separate related body of law should be included to govern and regulate partnerships, limited liability companies, and all other such entities.



5.  Rules governing business in general

It is also commonly known that business customs and practices vary from place to place.  It is hoped that that which is objectively most beneficial and advantageous from among this variety of customs and practices--for the participants, and for the public who are served theereby--will be adopted and enacted to constitute a single worldwide set of business rules, and consequent statutes.

These should include a set of enactments similar to America's Uniform Commercial Code, governing business transactions and security for the participants therein, that would be applicable worldwide.



6.  Civil Practice rules

A uniform system of courts, for the conduct and defense of lawsuits, as well as for the pursuit of arbitration and mediation (which are recommended as being preferred modes for alternative resolution of disputes) should be instituted.  Rules pertaining to jurisdiction, procedure, etc., should be fair, simple, and uniform, worldwide.



7.  Civil rights

Statutes should be enacted which will echo and reinforce the declared social policies of the new guiding body (as well as those that will hopefully be set forth in a World Constitution, that should be enacted as soon as reasonably possible after the commencement of World Unity).  All human beings must be treated fairly and impartially; and everyone must have thae same standing before the law and its tribunals. 

Further, there must be no discrimination based upon gender, race, religion, original national or geographic origin, or any other lawful particular.  Moreover, there should be no special interests, and no "special" treatment--good or bad--afforded to anyone.



8.  Civil Service

As I have stated in the past, it is expected that a new world government would require many and varied sorts of personnel--just as national governments and their subdivisions require today.  In a unified world, with uniform rules and a universal economy, all who are in the service of the government would receive similar fair and equal benefits and treatment everywhere.



9.  Criminal (Penal) code

A worldwide code setting forth the acts and omissions that constitute crime, as well as punishments therefor, should be enacted.

It is understood that different behaviors are viewede differently in different places--some being considered criminal in one, and less so, or not so, in another.  While interference with religious beliefs and social customs is to be avoided, some minimum--but reasonable--standards concerning what constitutes a crime must nevertheless be formulated.  Hopefully this can be accomplished by a body consisting of legal experts, religious and social leaders, and other such appropriate persons from around the world. 

A universal code relating to punishments should also be enacted--so that a similar crime will receive similar punishment wherever it be committed.

As an instance of special concern, issues will be found to likely arise when we consider that there will be some who are wanted for, or serving prior sentences for:
a.  offenses that are no longer considered crimes under a new universal criminal code; and, particularly,
b.  offenses that were related to the fact that our world used to be composed of a group of independent nations (e.g., treason, espionage, etc.).
Should such persons continue to be sought, or to serve their sentences--even if the acts for which they are wanted or were convicted did not in any cureent way constitute criminal behavior?  Or should they be freed, on the basis of the fact that the offended nation-state is no longer independently in existence?  An assemblage of legal experts would need to sort matters such as this out. 

Conversely, the concept of ex post facto would probably need to be applied in the case of individuals or entities who are known to be guilty of certain acts or omissions that were not criminal under the law of their place when they were committed/omitted--but are now considered crimes pursuant to the new universal criminal code.

Fortunately, this will all likely eventually resolve itself, as the years pass, and a single unified world, governed by a single guiding entity, becomes the accepted norm.




10.  Criminal procedure

In the same fashion as for criminal practice as set forth above, a uniform system of courts, and such other alternative facilities as might be instituted, would need to be established.  Rules and procedures pertaining to these tribunals must also be fair, simple, and uniform, always and everywhere.

It would also be necessary to establish a uniform and humane prison system, wherein all prisoners will be treated as human beings.  this worldwide system of penal institutions should existing prisons that meet certain minimum standards, as determined by a worldwide board of penal experts.  New facilities should begin to be erected to replace those that are found to be deficient.  Such a new prison system should be governed by a code containing uniform standardsand procedures for the treatment of inmates.

Movement away from corporal punishment, and toward psychological and economic pressure, to prevent crime--as well as toward re-educationand deprivations for those who are convicted of crimes--should be considered and effectuated as appropriate, pursuant to the recommendations of experts in the fields of penology and sociology.

(to be continued)

 









Friday, January 25, 2013

ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF A WORLD GOVERNMENT




I wish to repeat once more that I am not attempting to compose a prescription.  The two basic concepts that I describe and endorse herein--the establishment of a single worldwide government; and a government that is non-political in nature, but rather composed of the most competent experts in the various fields that are involved in its functioning--are plainly, simply, and definitely urged.  For recognition of the existence of a potentially disastrous state of affairs, as well as the suggestion of changes that would obviously improve the lot of mankind, do not themselves require technical expertise or experience--but, rather, only a clear vision and a degree of common sense.  On the other hand, the establishment and organization of such a government as I have been herein suggesting and endorsing--as well as the composition, functions, and methods of operation that such a government would possess and employ--do obviously require a quantity of prior knowledge and experience.  Thus, I write this with a degree of humility, hoping it will not be interpreted as a set of mandates issued by a less than qualified self-appointed commander.  Instead, I understand and assume that when and if the fortunate time should arrive wherein changes do take place, the result might be somewhat different from that which I have outlined herein.

                                                             * * * * *



THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

I call the government that I herein propose a "World Guiding Body."

It is my opinion that this guiding and directing entity that would comprise the benevolent government for a united world would yet contain an equivalent of the three branches that are presently found in most "advanced" Western nations:  the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.  However, in lieu of an Executive branch, I envision the establishment of a division of government that would actually plan and execute the policies, programs, and functions of said government.  I call this branch the "World Planning Body."

                                                             * * * * *



THE WORLD PLANNING BODY

Its composition would consist of the most learned and experienced experts and professionals in the various fields needing to be attended to in the operation, administration, and regulation of our world.  This composition would itself be arrived at via logical and objective determinations, based upon the then-current world situation, and consequent world conditions, requirements, and problems.    

Plans, as well as recommended policies and courses of action, would be formulated by this branch of government.  These would include:
a.  Determinations concerning the most appropriate postures, policies, and courses of action to be adopted and pursued, in view of actual, probable, or potential, conditions and situations in various places at that particular time.  Such functions would include formation and implementation of such necessary programs, as well as appropriate responses to any and all circumstances and occurrences that might exist or arise.
b.  Determinations concerning manpower, facilities, and equipment that should be directed toward the accomplishment of such necessary goals; as well as maintained in readiness for such expected or possible future events.  This branch of government would thus attend to the identification, achievement, and maintenance of states of readiness that should be necessary regarding such various situations and contingencies that are likely to, or might possibly, occur.
c.  Planning for the acquisition and maintenance of such funds and resources as shall be required for these operations and activities of government.

Like everything else, this body and its functions would be subject to additions, deletions, and modifications, as world events transpired over time, and/or as errors and deficiencies are noted or otherwise manifest themselves.

The World Planning Body's functions need to be arranged so that it does not have actual arbitrary powers.  Rather, it would be acting as but the skilled operator of a machine, or computer, that is programmed to continually specify the logically and objectively determined most apporopriate programs, policies, and courses of action that should be necessary for the purpose of rendering the maximum quantity of benefit, safety, and security to mankind and the world at every moment in time. 

Membership would be  non-political and non-elective.  Its nominative process, as well as its day-to-day operation, should be structured in such a way as to obviate opportunity for self-enrichment or favor to the members, and/or to any associated persons or entities.  On the other hand, or conversely, compensation would need to be sufficiently generous to convince potential members to leave their present places and endeavors in order to thus serve mankind.  Its primary membership would be supplemented by a number of similarly highly qualified assistants, whose functions and duties would be more or less the same, although subordinate.

Appointment to the World Planning Body should probably be for life, or until resignation or removal, in accordance with such statutes, rules, or regulations as should need to be enacted with reference to this. 

Within this World Planning Body would also be various administrative agencies and departments (whose actions would be subject to challenge and review via administrative courts that would comprise a part of the Judicial branch of government).

                                                                 * * * * *



THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

In a single world government, as in any government, there needs to be a lawmaking body--a legislature, if you will--who will issue the rules, composed for the sake of understanding and compliance by people everywhere, and governing man's day-to-day behavior, and relationships with one another.  It must be stressed that this does not intend nor anticipate the world population becoming converted to mindless minions of the planning elite.  Rather, a major, if not overriding concern and requirement regarding all determinations and decisions that are thus arrived at must be the will and wishes of a free and independent populace, in addition to their safety and welfare.

Presently, national or regional customs or cultures play at least a partial role in the existence and form of a number of statutory enactments in various places.  However, though customs and cultures should never be interfered with (unless truly harmful to the practitioners or others), neither should they be the basis of legal rules or statutes.  Only logic and benefit to mankind should dictate the existence, form, and content of the laws and rules that are necessary to guide and protect humanity and society.

No less an intellect than Jeremy Bentham has concluded that legislation ought seek to secure "the greatest happiness for the greatest number."  Thus, it would be expected that a group of legal scholars from all corners of the earth would in this instance confer together, to produce an initial body of universal written law that will be acceptable to, appropriate for, and directed toward the advantage and happiness of, everyone.  Moreover, all such enactments should at the same time be as harmonious as reasonably possible with the aforementioned policies and courses of action as should be determined by the aforedescribed World Planning Body, concerning that particular subject, at that particular time.

There must always be room for change--re memberships, policies, and procedures pertaining to our legislative bodies.  Also necessary, of course, would be processes for the effectuation of additions, deletions, and modifications to the then-currently existing body of statutes, rules, and regulations, as such should become necessary with time and experience.

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

SOME SUGGESTIONS REGARDING A PROPOSED WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




What I envision is a quite laissez faire society, wherein:
a.  clearly good and beneficial things would be instituted, permitted, and encouraged;
b.  clearly harmful things would be discouraged, and forbidden as necessary; and
c.  matters that do not by their nature readily permit of such simple and clear-cut characterizations would be subject to logical objective analyses, having a goal of arriving at the determinations, policies, and courses of action that would render the most benefit and security for the persons or groups involved, and for mankind and society in general.

 Of course, there must also be systems and procedures in place for the purpose of enacting modifications and/or repeal of certain statutory enactments, as such should become necessary.  Moreover, new and additional enactments would also need to be instituted as time and events should indicate,  Underlying all of this is a logical assumption, bolstered by a perpetual requirement, whereby that which is logically and objectively determined to be best for mankind and society will be consonant with, or equivalent to, the will of the people.

 I believe that this would, moreover, automatically be, or become, the norm.  For it is my belief that if reasonable, and relatively happy and secure, people are afforded all of the facts and circumstances of a situation, together with an analysis or rationale concerning it, their common sense and native intelligence would lead most, if not virtually all, to such determinations--as opposed to the emotional conclusions and hostile responses that are frequently arrived at and expressed by insecure, deprived,  unhappy, and angry people--and/or people "whipped" into occasional frenzy by political leaders.

I do not claim to have--nor will anyone ever have--all of the answers.  Only time and effort will indicate approaches to be taken, as well as subsequent improvements thereto.  Perhaps this might be additionally aided by the benefits of more and more universal education.  But none of this process must ever approximate anything like dictatorship, or "brainwashing."  Thus, I do not claim to be offering "recipes"--but merely suggestions.  Additional minds and work are necessary.  However, it is my sincere hope and belief that this will be able to be achieved, given sufficient time and opportunity.  I base this optimism at least in part upon the fact that the human race appears to be becoming more and more intelligent and resourceful as time goes on; and that such intelligence and resourcefulness seems to be spreading over greater areas of our world as the yearsd go by.  Currently, some distressing conditions and states of affairs have compelled application of these ever-increasing qualities in the interest of hostility and conflict.  But I hope and believe that one day, most of us will comprehend and appreciate our need for a united peaceful and harmonious society, guided by a single expert leadership, who will seek only to protect mankind and improve our world.

                                                                * * * * *

I must agree that all of this suggests some giant, and likely uncomfortable, prospective leaps forward.  But, I submit, our present array of political and statutory systems worldwide leave much to be desired, regarding many things in a great many places.

In short, it is time for reason and objectivity to overshadow and overcome the shackles of time-worn tradition that have shaped, and in many places continue to impose, foolish and hurtful conditions under which prople continue to be bound and oppressed.  The attention of mankind's leading exsperts in efforts to correct such deficiencies, and the single superior worldwide system of government which should result therefrom, can only represent an overall improvement to the present state of affairs worldwide.

                                                            * * * * *





Friday, January 18, 2013

SOME SUGGESTIOHNS REGARDING A PROPOSED WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




I believe that the eventual guiding and directing body that I have referred to a number of times herein ought include the following amongst its properties and policies:
a.  A purely civilian composition, excluding any and all military involvement in its operation and functions.
b.  Enforcement capability--so that factionalism will not by chance rear its ugly head again; and so that what is objectively determined to be the logical best steps in a given situation will have an opportunity to be carried out and thus proven.  I have stated several times in the past that arms and armies will not be needed in a united world--for there would no longer be individual nation-states to do battle with one another.  However, a mild to moderate police presence would need to be in place throughout the world, in order to protect everyone, and to prevent crime.  Further, although a dictatorship is in no wise intended, a strong single worldwide enforcement capability must be created and maintained for the purpose of dealing with unlawful episodes of revolt, terrorism, ad other such behaviors which should require the use of lawful force against the perpetrators, solely for the preservation of peace and the restoration of order.
c.  The ability to undergo modification as and when required; so that the fact that perfection is unable to be attained in this world will continue to be recognized and dealt with; and so that experts and professionals who shall participate in the process of guidance and direction within the world government will be enabled to make such adjustments as shall be objectively determined to be necessary, in the light of then-current events and conditions.  I attribute the success had by the United States, concerning its Cponstitution, as well as in regard to its functioning as a government, to the fact that both said Constitution and its body of law are somewhat like living organisms.  Both are ever subject to modification and improvement, as time and events require it. 
d.  Equality before the law for all human beings; and the extension of humane and impartial treatment to all who deal with, or are affected by, the law in any fashion.

                                                                           * * * * *

On the other hand, it is my belief that several things would be best omitted from the properties and policies of the aforesaid government:

a.  Federalism

By "federalism," I refer to a structure of government that constitutes a sharing of power and sovereignty between a central government and local geographic governing entities.  I have recommended a number of times herein that the world's guiding and direcing body be formulated in such a way that its exclusive agenda constitute only that which has been objectively determined to be the best course of action, for the sake of maximum benefit and security for mankind.  By reason of this, a united world should be guided and directed by but a single central governing body.  Competition or conflict between two different levels of government, or other such governing entities, would be counterproductive toward this end.  Moreover, competition or conflict between two or more governing entities would presage, and might promote, a return to factionalism--which I have attributed throughout these writings with being the element behind most of our current problems.

Of course, the vast worldwide governing body would itself need to establish divisions and subdivisions of its own for the purpose of administering its resources and services regarding its different purposes and functions, as well as within the world's various local regions and places.  But they would nevertheless be but subdivisions of a single governing body.  They would not adopt regional characters of their own--which could progress to comprise a renaissance of factionalism. 

b.  Special Interests

All citizens of the world must be afforded equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal treatment--whoever and wheerever they happen to be.  It is time to recognize, and to finally put an end to, any instances or practices wherein the body of government that is supposed to be safeguarding and promoting the happiness and security of the many is in any way operating for the benefit of a special few.

c.  Strictly Representative Government

While the "will of the people"--as an entirety, and not as separate individual factions--must always be determined, considered, and complied with, pure blind conformity to the demands of the largest or loudest group expressing such demands ought not always be the basis for the policies and actions of government.  Under our traditional representative system, the "will of the people," or that of the leaders they have elected or submitted to, has not always been the most advantageous or beneficial for the group who so expressed it--and certainly sometimes even less so for some or all of the others who have reaped or suffered the consequences thereof. 

It is but common sense to realize that what is actually and objectively the best means for humanity as a civilized society to live together in peace and security is not always what the largest or most vociferous group of our fellows happens to demand.  Moreover, election of officials based purely upon "popularity" might itself serve to resurrect factionalism, and bring about an unanticipated end to world unity.

In the United States, our system of representation comprises a number of elected legislative bodies consisting of individuals who are aware of, and promise to act in accordance with, the expressed wills and preferences of their respective constituencies.  Granted, these members are free, and expected, to resort to their own individual judgments as to how to act or refrain from acting, including how to propose legislation, and/or vote, in regard to particular issues or circumstances.  In short, they are more than simply obedient hirelings; and each is expected to utilize his or her particular competence and experience in arriving at wise decisions and practical determinations while so serving.

But representation as we know it today has also come to produce a somewhat dubious phenomenon known as "lobbying"--which fundamentally consists of individuals hired by special interests attempting to convince our representatives that they ought to favor or oppose one thing or another.  Lobbyists are frequently unconnected with the interests whose causes they plead; but are, rather, simply "hired guns."  Moreover, the causes or objectives they advocate arise from a surprisingly myriad array of places, organizations, and interests.  The methods employed in this "convincing" process may be ethical and/or legal pursuant to our present rules.  But, as we can readily imagine, and as our news broadcasts of late have occasionally demonstrated, the borders between propriety and impropriety may be, and probably are, sometimes transgressed.  Furthermore, pursuant to the "elected representative" system that is in place as our presently accepted format, if our elected legislators are truly our representatives, it should be their duty to determine what their constituencies want and/or need--and to utilize the same to consequently construct and propose legislation, as well as to favor and/or oppose issues that come before them, in accordance with this knowledge.  Were this the exclusive rationale fueling our legislative process, I should think there would be need for few, and probably no, lobbyists in Washington, or anywhere else today.

Moreover, beyond the issue concerning lobbying, "representation" in its present form does not actually seem to constitute true adherence to the principles of representation in other respects as well.  Rather, it seems to often comprise but a complex process of wrangling concerning, and eventual effectuation of, concepts and policies that may neither be upon the minds of, within the "wish-lists" of, nor beneficial or harmful to, all or most of those whom the representatives are supposed to be representing to begin with.

Representation in its present mode is also accompanied by a great deal of campaigning--and for some representatives, the need to campaign occurs so frequently that it seems to interfere with their carrying out of their legislative duties.  The American Constitution purposely made the terms of the lower legislative chamber short--i.e., two years--in order to insure that these Representatives would be in close and frequent contact with the people they represented, thereby having to "answer to them" via the campaigning process.  This, in and of itself, sounds favorable for those constituencies.  But instead, such campaigning has of late become but a mere series of appearances, short peppy speeches, the handing out of flyers, and little more.  Moreaver, as has been stated above, enactments that are proposed or carried to please certain interests, or to court reelection, are not necessarily the enactments that will be the most beneficial for the members of such legislators' constituencies.

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

SOME SUGGESTIONS REGARDING A PROPOSED WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




As time goes on, we are all becoming increasingly aware of the fact that mankind's interests and activities are more and more global in character and/or impact.  It has consequently been suggested that this requires the institution of systems of global governance, somewhat as are herein proposed.

However, it is easy to foresee that the idea of a global government would not sit well with the people who constitute our current governing bodies, which rule over today's  variety of nation-states.  It is also likely that the average ordinary citizen, while possibly dissatisfied and fearful as regards mankind's present state of affairs, and able to recognize in theory how a single world government could solve a great many of these problems, would nevertheless be equally afraid to endorse or witness so drastic a change in that which custom has caused to become accepted as an invariable status quo.

But I do believe there is hope nonetheless.

Society and government have both evolved, and continue to evolve, in a direction toward ever-increasing freedom for the individual.  This evolution has resulted in progressive reduction in the supervisory role of the political bodies under which we live.  It has caused a gradual abatement, from near-absolute direction of citizens' lives, to mere attempts at maintenance of justice and efficient functioning within the nation.  Add as an ingredient the fact that we currently live in a twenty-first century world containing many specific present and impending crises; and there is yet hope for change to take place.

Two commonly known principles of political science and human behavior, borne out as well by numerous illustrations from history, consist of the facts that catastrophe reduces support for the establishment; and that a common threat is often the catalyst for union. 

Regarding the first of these, it is unfortunately all too possible that something might come to pass in the not too distant future that can neither be stopped nor controlled by one or more of our existing national governments.  The second of the aforesaid principles tells us that the materialization of a common enemy who is a threat to many and seems frighteningly powerful to all may serve to prompt the threatened parts to unite in order to confront and overcome it.

It is possible that something of this nature will be the wake-up call that convinces many of us that our seperation into a melange of hostile camps is of benefit to none of us; and that we must instead somehow "join together," to seek and pursue direction that will be protective of, and beneficial to, everyone, as a single worldwide society.  Hopefully such a coming event would be recognized and thus dealt with, by a finally united world, early enough beforehand to prevent the tragedy that might have otherwise come to pass.

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Meanwhile, and hopefully in lieu of needing to await the coming of some major crisis or catastrophe, it is obviously my intent to convince people of the advantages of what I have been proposing.  I do not seek nor wish for any sort of revolution or uprising.  Rather, it is hoped that, eventually, enough people will be ready and willing to make an informed and voluntary decision to pursue change.

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It is commonly known today that a major challenge to the founders of the European Union has been similar to a challenge that faced the United States' "founding fathers," namely, devising a method for larger and smaller countries, or states, to share power.  This, however, is the very reason behind my characterizing a "union"of separate individual nations (or states) as having little advantage over their prior situation as mere uncomnnected nations.  It is my belief that only a total joinder of all nations into a single worldwide entity will accomplish beneficial results.

For the people of Nation "A" to desereve "more to say"--and possible consequent "better treatment"--than the people of Nation "B," merely because Nation "A" happens to contain a larger  population; or more land area, or wealth, or resources, than Nation "B," is illogical.  But under an arrangement whereby all people are members of a single entity, all would be entitled to equal consideration, and, consequently, equal treatment.

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Saturday, January 12, 2013

SOME SUGGESTIONS REGARDING A PROPOSED WORLD GOVERNMENT (cont.)




"The will of the popple" has usually been relied upon in modern times as the most fitting and proper way to determine the decisions and actions that our governing bodies should pursue.  But if one examines the results of the wills and/or personal determinations arrived at by (perhaps a few, perhaps a great many) persons at a number of instances in our history, it can easily be recognized that these decisions thus arrived at, and actions thus taken, have not always been the most beneficial to mankind as a whole, and particularly to those who bore the unfortunate direct results of some of these decisions or actions.

Witness, for example, the decisions arrived at by persons within the European community during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries which resulted in the abduction of millions of human beings from their native lands in Africa, and their transport to the American continents to live lives of cruel bondage as slaves.

Witness the decisions arrived at many years ago which resulted in exclusion of females from numerous rights and sectors within human society.

Witness the decisions arrived at by Adolf Hitler and his colleagues, and successfully foisted upon many of his countrymen, to the effect that the Jewish race was inferior, evil, and deserving of total eradication.

Witness the decisions arrived at by groups of Middle Eastern zealots to encourage and assist young individuals among them to commit suicide by setting off bombs in crowded places, and thereby taking numerous innocent people to their deaths along with them.

We can call to mind hundreds, probably thousands, and perhaps millions of similar instances of tragic error and outright wrongdoing that were brought about via the direction and guidance of leaders, supported by those whom they had convinced and led, whose decision-making were neither objective nor logical.  Many, if not most, of these things reflected determinations that were arrived at, edicts that were favored and supported, or customs that were permitted to continue, by the people of the places where they were originated and formulated.  And many, if not most, of the leaders who were in power, and/or originated or pursued these policies in these places, were in power via force, heredity, or perhaps election--and thus tolerated, supported, and encouraged by their passive or unkinowing constituencies.

In short, I dare submit that the immediate "will of the people," absent review and consideration against a template of logic and objectivity, is not in every instance the most kind, wise, benevolent, or beneficial course to be pursued.  And "the people's choice" is often less than the most appropriate person or group to affect and control the fate of mankind.  Viewed in this light, perhaps a different, logical and objective, less emotional or personality-driven, method of attending to the business of our world and its occupants should be sought and tested as soon as practically possible.  This would have to be accomplished via resort to methods that are outside of the currently standard means of creation and acceptance of political authority--which until now consist only of force, descent, tradition, charisma, political adroitness, bossism, and other such means by which our contemporary leaders are chosen, permitted, and encouraged to maintain power.

Of course, as stated numerous times by me, there would nevertheless need to be in place safeguards to make certain that such methods could not result in the creation of a dictatorship (perhaps a dictatorship in the hands of highly skilled and competent intellectuals--but a dictatorship nonetheless).  In addition, this "method" must be designed so as never to revert, or descend, to the nature of "politics," in any manner, shape, or form.

Furthermore, as I have stated earlier, there must be a final "opting out" procedure available, whereby alternatives to the then-current system of government could be determined and resorted to, should such come to be desired by a sufficient quantity of mankind.

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