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Through the years, I have become increasingly aware of the foolish ideas and outdated assumptions that most of the world--including basically all of mankind's leaders--continue to espouse, take guidance from, and act in accordance with.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.

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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."

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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.

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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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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.

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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).

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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.

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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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