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.

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Through the years, I have become increasingly aware of the foolish ideas and outdated assumptions that most of the world--including basically all of mankind's leaders--continue to espouse, take guidance from, and act in accordance with.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

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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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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.

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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.

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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)