Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.970207144706.30465K-100000@beta.tricity.wsu.edu> Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 15:00:37 -0800 From: Tom Hodges <mailto:thodges@TRICITY.WSU.EDU> Subject: Re: THEORY To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
See comments interspersed below. Tom HodgesOn Fri, 7 Feb 1997, Richard Flyer wrote:
> On Thu, 6 Feb 1997, steve worth wrote:
> > >
> > I submit that the most 'praxis' thing we can do right now is to
> > unite the world, establish a global society, with a global government.
> > It is step one in resolving the problem... everything else becomes
> > possible and practical after that..
>
>
> I have been a lurker here for a while. For some reason this statement
> caught my eye.
>
> Why do we assume that a centralized world government given today's
> realities is the best thing?
I don't think Steve is talking about a centralized government, rather very decentralized with some very narrowly defineded areas of activity for the central government.
>
> I may be a minority here on this list, but unless humans have mass
> individual awakenings to the actual fact of "unity", why would a world
> government be any better than say the current state of national
> governments with their corruption and elitism?
Have to agree, marginally better only in a few areas perhaps. We need to change our attitudes so we generally regard all humans as our family and our responsibility. If someone is out of work, we all need to help get them back to making a positive contribution. >
> The reason for corrupt governments on earth seems obvious enough to
> me--- we get the government we "deserve"--- or stated another way we get
> the government that is refelection of the people within the society.
Absolutely agree. >
> I see a big difference bewteen developing a global society and building
> a global government.
Yes. >
> How do we develop a global society? IMHO this would be a globe of
> villages, neighborhoods, and local communities united by different bonds
> than the tenous political bonds of our current "world order."
>
> These new bonds would not be some political ideology, but an actual and
> tangible experience by many people of the reality of unity of humankind.
We need both urgently. The political structure will not work very well (see above) without the spiritual transformation. However I see clear progress already on the spiritual/social transformation.
Many of the values of a future global society are being given lip service now (instead of being regarded as subversive). Equal opportunity for all people regardless of sex, race, religion, etc. Universal education, governments that are intended to promote the well being of the populace rather than being an end in themselves (the old "divine" monarchies promoted the glory of the government, the well being of the people was incidental). Protection of the environment.
There have been a lot of positive changes in the last few decades, just look back for a moment. Perhaps even a weak, somewhat corrupt world government would serve to further promote those positive values and further our spiritual transformation?
Tom Hodges, mailto:thodges@tricity.wsu.edu