The state of the world...

Question

Firstly, I am not after anyone's criticism or negativity- go and leave your sarcasm somewhere else with someone who finds your small mindedness funny.

Now to the question...

Looking at the state of the planet, with resources becoming scarce, pollution ruining the oceans and atmosphere, rising populations, wars/ intolerance, is it too much to hope that an intellectual non-violent revolution could apply enough pressure to create a caring and sharing world, where famine and disease are wiped out as a priority- globally, and where resources are shared.

I have seen enough of the tribal mentality, which is as evident in China and Russia as in that great bastion of freedom (NOT!!) that is the USA. I am wondering if anyone knows of any organisations where like minded people can come together and try to effect positive change on the world around us.

I do not mean charities, as whilst their work is admirable, they do not seem to be causing the massive shift in political viewpoint that is required for us to try to save the world.

In my head I have this idea that we must stop the killing, everywhere, through a UN-type force, removing despots like Mugabe or Saddam, by force if necessary. We must then withdraw as quickly as we went in, to allow the nationals of that area to set their own laws and customs. If another despot arises, then we must strike again, but this must always be done with a simple democratic majority of member states voting on the action. Under no circumstances should we impose our society, but neither should the weak be allowed to suffer at the hands of the powerful anywhere in the world.

We must remove patents on medicines, in order that the developing world can manufacture or purchase (affordably) the healthcare they need to improve their lot in life.

We must redistribute wealth so that those in famine and without water can have access to the basics that the west takes for granted.

We must end religious intolerance in all it's forms, and remove religion from playing any part in the UN/ other governing bodies. Religion is something that all should be free to practice, but none have the right to impose. It should not be the basis of any constitution anywhere, as politics and religion must be separated once and for all. Politics should become the governance of the people for the majority of the people.

We must also forge closer ties and alliances, ultimately aiming for one government for the planet, in order to stop the colossal waste of resources currently used in the arms industries.

I know there will be those of you itching to talk about naivety and flaws, but the fundamental principles seem to be the only way that we might all move forward as one world. I can't accept that my ideas are worse than the status quo, and am curious to find out about any existing movements for change (along the lines above), and if anyone else believes that we can still save this planet and race, or if it is simply an impossible mission, given human greed and the seeming need to persecute others to pursue our own wealth, plus religious intolerance.

Thanks for your positive input, I look forward to hearing your thoughts...

Answer 1

Gosh, it's all so simple, isn't it?

Answer 2

It is too much to hope for. Subverting the dominant paradigm will be a major task. That doesn't mean we should not strive and stride towards it.

The second thing, in my view, is to get a common language so that we can all understand each other. Basic English would be o.k. except it's too Western! Esperanto isn't perfect by any means but it is not territorial so would be a good contender.

The first thing, though, is make being happy a cool thing. Happy people are more constructive, co-operative and get more done. Difficult thing in the face of the strains and stresses of modern life - all the more reason to promote it.

You words echo and remind me somewhat of a speech Tony Blair once made. What about the follow through? We can nod to each other about how terrible things are here and that someone ought to do something.

But who will do something? Who has got the guts to stand up and be counted and do physically take the initiative? Me? No, I admit I'm far too cowardly. (See below.) You? You are intellectual, as evidenced but your thoughtful, inspiring and well-written monologue above. No offense but intellectuals generally don't like to get their hands dirty so I think we won't have an "intellectual non-violent revolution." A bloody one maybe with all the pressures working class Britons are currently under. Britain is sliding towards third world status. As a priority we ought to make Britain 'Great' again before we try to sort the world out.

As I am sitting in the library, working on my paper, one of the female members of staff has spent a half-hour first quietly asking (then forcefully) several disruptive, noisy teen school kids (all of them bigger than me) at first to calm down then demanding they leave. They left eventually. I did nothing to intervene, to my shame. We should sort out our own backyard somewhat before focusing attention elsewhere. We have enough poor and homeless to sort out here.

Yes I know the platitude "Charity begins at home." But note that it is incomplete - the full form of the proverb "Charity begins at home but shouldn't end there."

To bring about a fraction of what you would like to see let me quote Gandhi "Be the change you want to see in the world."

So how do we advance to this utopia? By setting more modest intermediate goals. By taking the first step. By taking small steps. By committing to action no matter how small to begin with. By getting organized. By scheduling tasks for ourselves. And if we don't meet these (e.g. as for myself, build up my confidence to confront disruptive people.) we don't beat ourselves up about it. Just dust ourselves off and get back onto the horse and try again.

There are plenty of people and organizations working to make the world a better place. I would suggest that anyone could help them if they are not doing so already. I myself undertake between one and three conservation projects a year and have done these for the past 13 years. I am a regular blood donor. But to look at me you would think that I was a complete waste of space. I do these things mostly under the radar. If everyone who could do something positive actually did it, it would make a tremendous difference.

To get to this world re-aligned in the manner you suggest will require a masterplan. The corporations have business plans of all sorts and to get them on side would require Socratic dialogue. (e.g. What would get them to play ball would be a good start.)

Suggestions:-

- First off create that masterplan! Use brainstorming with like minded individuals to provide the basis for this. Yes, it sounds like you yourself are making a bid for world domination. But without proper organization aims like these are unlikely to get very far. (I used to be the same - mission statements, values, masterplan, plans, action-plans, goals, SMARTER objectives and tasks used to send me to the land of nod. But continual and sustained action on these yields results.)

- Create groups on the main social networks (My Space, Facebook, Bebo etc.) and inspire them to action. I quite like watching the Pride Of Britain awards. Reminds me that there are people willing to serve others selflessly.

- Get publicity to reach other digital denizens and non-digitals. To do that enlist the help of on-line (and offline) marketing gurus.

- Get Bono on side. Get celebrities on side. They get listened to in preference, often, than the voice of reason.

- Lobby your councilor, MP and MEP. Emails can be deleted and are ten a penny. Writing letters and attending their surgeries have a greater return of investment. Those elected officials of national government often forget or don't even care that they are actually supposed to be the servant of the people not the masters. Getting them on side will be an uphill struggle but maybe you can demonstrate how a World Government would be an opportunity for them, not a problem. Or stretch out the timeframe to beyond the rest of political career.

- Get companies on side. They are starting to go green as it is their long term interest to do so. Find other buttons to push.

Good luck with this - you are going to need it ;-)

Answer 3

No. People are too greedy. If you started such an organisation it would only be a matter of 3 or so years after coming to prominence before someone worked out how to fiddle the system for their own selfish gain.

There is no way we are ever going to beat that. There is no way we're ever going to work together - simply because people live in hatred and fear of those they see as different and do not understand. You might act with the greatest selfishness and kindness and find enough money to make sure every child in Africa can get an education. And then the parents will take the money, and send the child to work anyway.

Of course we must at least try to improve the world - but to live in such a paradise is a pipe dream.

Answer 4

You speak of the kind of things we all wish for and unfortunately you will get idiots replying to your post. I wish I had the answers but the truth is I do not. I like to think I can at least try and find the answers and am continuously campaigning just for that. Visit my website and get my email if you are interested in wanting to make a difference.

an eye 4 an eye makes the world go blind (Mahatma Gandhi)

Answer 5

You took all the fun out, when you said that I couldn't be sarcastic.  Sorry, I didn't bother reading the rest, although I am sure you had some very good points.

Next time, don't be so restrictive.  I might have had something worthwhile to contribute.

Have a great day!

Answer 6

1. The economic system is fundamentally exploitative.

Capitalism works in exactly the same way as feudalism. Let me illustrate: Imagine that I can make you the Lord of a land 100 miles square - for which I demand you pay only a light tax. Are you rich? Not at all. You can grow only as much food as you can farm, extract only as many minerals as you can mine, produce only as much cloth as you can weave. To be rich you need others who will work your land, work your mines, work your cotton mills, and they must be poor enough to accept terms that mean you can profit from their labour. The poorer they are the harder your terms can be. If these poor labourers are few you may need to compete with other Lords to attract them on to your land, but if the country is awash with people who are destitute you need hardly worry. For every labourer you need, a hundred will apply. The more wretched their conditions the better for you. Is this not so? If their lives are too wretched they may revolt, that need be your only concern regarding their welfare. What has changed with capitalism?

Therefore I argue, if you wish to end poverty you must end the economic system - tinkering with it can relive some excesses, welfare has it's value to stop revolt, but to truly end exploitation you must end the right of one person to profit from the labour of others. That will stop your greed. And there is only one way to achieve this goal. Abolish the concept of property. The Lord's rights to exploit rest in his property rights. End the landlord's right to charge rent and the factory owner's right to set wages, terms, and monopolise profits. The world belongs to all and by what right does one person fence off a parcel and claim it as his own?

2. The system of government is fundamentally oppressive.

Democracy means government by the people, but we do not have this. We have government by elected representatives - but they are not representatives - they are leaders. In our democracies a small elite govern, and we are lead willingly or not. Our political parties, two sides of the same coin, set the terms on which we can vote - abortion rights or not, g*y rights or not - but where is the choice on free trade? Where is the choice on corporate welfare? Where is the choice on the electoral system itself, so full of corruption. Look at what we can not vote on and you will discover the limits of our democracy.

If  you want to end oppression you must end our system of government - it matters not if there are different governments in different lands or one government over the whole world - our system creates leaders and lead. There can be no end to strife in such a system for not all will be lead, and no leader can satisfy all needs.

In a true democracy the people retain the power, the people make the decisions, and their elected representatives are just that - messengers not deciders. But even in a true democratic system there are those who will be opposed to the democratic will. Are they to be oppressed? As long as they do not harm or attack the people or the society leave them free. We do not all need to think alike, and many of  the greatest minds have rejected the orthodoxy of their times. Like conscientious objectors, do not force them to fight. Let people free so long as they do not attack or harm us.

3. The solution

What do people need to live? Food and water, shelter, clothes, healthcare. What do they need to live comfortable lives - family and friends, privacy, education, creative and stimulating interests, electricity and gadgets - for one person a piano, for another a paint brush, for one a telescope, for another a microscope. Add to the list as you may.

Now, with modern technology how much labour would it take if we all could produce to provide for everyone the basics? 2% of the population now work in agriculture and produce enough to feed billions? If production focused on the basics - food and shelter and clothes and electricity, etc, how little would we all need to labour? And if we shared our products freely wouldn't we still be able to meet all of our basic needs? Enough food, enough housing, enough clothing for everyone. Perhaps with technology we would need to work only a few hours a week to secure for everyone the necessities of life. But how many of us can not find work? How many of us have no tools, no land, no machines, no opportunity unless a capitalist can make a profit from us. How much farm land and produce is left to rot to maintain price stability? How many small businesses fold because they can't eek out a profit amid the rents, and interest, and tax. How many skilled workers are reduced to living on welfare because a better profit can be found exploiting the poor in a foreign land?

If we all had the means to produce according to our interests - some wheat, some bread, some iron pots, some furniture, and so on, how little would we all need to labour to meet everyone's basic needs? A day a week, two days?

What could we do with the remaining time? Enjoy our families, develop our children, pursue our interests - artistic, scientific, educational and literary with others who share our passions. This is a vision for a humane society. Let everyone be guaranteed their basic needs. No one forced to do degrading jobs simply to survive, no one so desperate that they would consent to being exploited - willing to work for a degrading wage. No one stuck on a factory floor or an office copier for 10 hours a day. And could our work itself become a pleasure? How many people now do for hobbies what not so long ago was considered a burdensome task - the letterpress printers and hand bookbinders, the steam train drivers, the potters, the furniture makers -  now satisfying hobbies because they have been made a pleasure. How many old ladies work for free in the charity shops for the pleasure of the company and the pride of helping others - or young people cleaning ponds and mending stonewalls for similar reasons?

I have run out of time. But if I have sparked your curiosity I would point you in the direction on anarchical syndicalism. This is where people who hold your values are gathering, and where the urgency for change is felt passionately; where there is a rich philosophy to draw on, and where your ideas will be welcomed and discussed; where you will met neither leaders or followers, but equals working to make a world full of equals - in rights, in freedoms, in means, in peace and security, in fellowship. Join the anarchists because what you seek is a revolution.