Robert J.

Conti

World Unity

p.1

Part I

GENERAL AND INTRODUCTORY CONSIDERATIONS

Chapter 1

ONE WORLD

In this book, I propose a comprehensive changethough not by any means a revolution. It is an alteration which can and should be accomplished with no violence or bloodshed. Power shall not be snatched from anyone, nor suddenly attained by anyone. My proposal entails, in fact, neither a destruction nor a takingbut, rather, merely a conversionof power; from the many governments ruling the present confusing, confused, bickering, disarrayed agglomeration which is todays world, to a unified model of super-efficiency and super-capability, which will effectively serve the needs of that for which government and its institutions exist: civilization, mankind, life, and the world.

I refer to the movement which I herein advocate as World Unity; and the general state of affairs which will result from the steps which I describe in this work: Universality. Universality is defined in the English dictionary as a quality of universal comprehensiveness and unrestricted versatility. I have adopted these terms as generic significations of that which I describe and call for. I use the term factionalism to refer to the opposite of Universalitythe enemy, if you will. Thus, for the purposes of this book at least, factionalism is the opposite of Universality; and is to be avoided and corrected, wherever it appears to

constitute danger to the peace and well-being of civilization and mankind. Of course, I do not mean to be girded, trapped, or locked in, by definitions (dictionary or otherwise) of any words or terms. I simply resort to them, and set them forth herein, as tools or handles, for the sake of convenience and clarity in this work, and that which will, hopefully, eventually follow.

I envision a great improvement in our world, if the simple steps which I propose herein be taken. For, in removing factionalism from our daily lives and thought, we are not removing or destroying any person, place, or thing; rather, we are simply removing or omitting a harmful and unnecessary concept. This removal or omission will result in the elimination of that which has all along been the basisa needless and useless basisfor most of the conflicts which we have come to regard as normal, inevitable, and even necessary. In discarding the concept of national autonomy as a sacred ideal for which lives and blood are to be spent, a nation shall not be thus yielding to another nation. Rather, it shall be simply joining with its fellow nations, in a forward and upward progression; whereby a more worthwhile concept and more deserving entities (i.e., civilization, mankind, life, and the world) shall be beneficiary of the worlds common efforts.

*****

Once we have removed this grinding stone which I call factionalismagainst which all of our efforts have until now been painfully and needlessly dragged and scraped; once we have loosed the bonds of national autonomywhich have hurtfully strangled and hopelessly fettered mans efforts for far too long; humankind will for the first time be free to pull in one direction. And in what direction shall that be? It will be that direction in which man has been attempting to progress since the dawn of civilization. It is that direction in which all reasonably and socially concerned segments within our world actually desire to proceed at this very momentbut are unfortunately hampered by a multitude of factional considerations and self-defeating priorities. That direction is toward all of those things to which our common sense impels us to strive: at root, the enhancement of civilization, solution of the universally acknowledged problems of mankind, the betterment of all of our lives, and objective improvement of our physical environment (i.e., the world).

There would be an end to wars, with their attendant horror and strife. No longer would millions of lives need to be heroically sacrificedon the battlefield and off for the sake of the patriots respective nations. No longer would hapless populations within our citiesincluding countless women, children, sick, and

elderlybe maimed and killed, as bombs and missiles are rained upon them via the guns and aircraft of belligerent nations. No longer would the citizens of vanquished nations be abused by liberating armies, and enslaved by the subsequent occupation of victorious nations. The simple reason why all of this is not only possible, but within our reach at this very momentthe uncontrived and uncomplicated expedient by which all of this can be readily and easily brought aboutis merely this: In a world guided by Universality, there would be no nations. Rather, there would simply be One World!

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And what would be lostwhat must be sacrificedin the accomplishment of this admittedly novel and sweepingbut actually simple and painlessconversion, from a national to a Universal system? Absolutely nothingexcept the guardedness and conflicts, the need for armies and weapons, the waste of time and talent, wealth and resources, which the service of a useless, outmoded, and counterproductive concept begets and necessitates.

Leaders will still be needed, to direct and operate the instrumentalities and organs of government. But they will be leaders of the peoplenot of a nation. As

described in a following chapter, militaryor, more accurately, quasi-military or police-typeentities and forces will still be required the world over, to preserve and maintain civil peace, law, order, and liberty. But they will be fighting crime and adversitynot each other. I imagine that manufacturers of bombs and other devices of war and destruction will not initially like this book. Nor, possibly, will a percentage of the aforesaid present military, who must quickly realize that the size of a force necessary to accomplish purposes of peace and police would be a good deal smaller than those multiple forces required for the carrying on, or even the deterrence, of warfare. However, I am rather certain that a sizeable number of such competent and capable personnel and resources, thus no longer needed for bellicose endeavors, could and would be quickly and effectively applied toward the accomplishment of numerous brave new enterprisesparticularly in light of the vigorous season for mankind and the world which I foresee as an inevitable consequence of the adoption of the processes which I herein espouse.

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In simple terms, the result of the actualization of my recommendations will be a unified, peaceful, rational, intelligently planned, sensibly directed, and smoothly functioning world; wherein the needs of all men will be properly attended to. The

abilities and resources of every corner of our world will be mobilized toward one purpose: namely, the meeting of the needs, and solution of the problems, of all of usinstead of a splintered fragmented arrangement wherein the parts are not only less than the whole; but are, in addition, rendered further ineffective by reason of the fact that the parts are engaged in chronic battle against one another.

At last, our fears of that dread final atomic, or biological, or chemical holocaust, wherein all that mankind has presently achieved shall be wastefully obliterated, can be discarded forever. At last, the machinery of war can be converted to the instrumentalities of production; guns and bombs devised to destroy microbes instead of men. Ships and planes will be used to carry only passengers and goods and nevermore hatred and death, to human targets who are not very different than their own captains and crews.

The years following this conversion will bear witness to the availability of a greater quantity of talent, funds, and resources for the amelioration of the ailments and problems of the world than has ever been available since the dawn of civilization. For in putting an end to inter-factional strife, the necessity for each of many factions to simultaneously employ and expend ridiculous sums of wealth and effort upon weapons and other means of guarding against and fighting off one

another will be obviated. This sinful waste, whereby the several efforts and numerous products of nations are utilized to serve no more noble or useful a purpose than holding each other at bayand, in effect, only serving to counteract, counterweigh, and cancel out, each others goods and laborswill be over and done with once and for all.

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A further logical and inevitable result of this new-found abundance of concern and provision for humanity which the union of its members would naturally foster, will be an ability to do that which is required in order for every human to enjoy a significant standard of comfort and dignity, at every moment in every corner of our world. Thus, no more will infants die of starvation, while a prosperous nation next door, or across the sea, lives in luxury. No more will the very government of that starving nation be constrained to ignore the pleas of its people, while expending and employing a large measure of its wealth and resources upon the production and acquisition of armies and armaments.

The populace of all corners of our world will be equally entitled to the goods and services necessary for healthy and dignified existence; always coupled with

opportunity to attain improvement via unlimited access to educational opportunities. And there will, in fact, be a great deal more available for these purposes, by reason of the fact that major portions of our manpower and resources will no longer need to be squandered upon perpetual preparation for battle, varieties of defensive measures, and that vast myriad of additional related expenditures of wealth and talentin multipleby numerous countries, which our present system of national entities now necessitates.

It will no longer be necessary for certain people to suffer and starve; imprisoned within certain defined geographic areas which happen to be insufficient to meet their minimum requirements for healthy dignified liveswhile, not very far away, vast expanses of lush verdant lands are devoted to perhaps nothing more essential than aesthetics. No longer will critical services be withheld from persons in need thereof by reason of their post office address; or because they happen to live on the other side of a line drawn centuries ago by a surveyor, or the signers of a treaty.

*****

Having shed our shackles, we will be able to apply all of our attention, directly and

without interruption, to the real problems which beset us. What are these real problems? I think we must all agree that there are a number of aspects of our lives and our world that clearly require correction and improvement, in order for twentyfirst century civilized society to deserve to be called logical and sensible. I describe many of thesewhich most of us are already well aware ofin subsequent chapters.

As a general proposition, virtual unanimous agreement by mankind that a particular condition is hurtful or harmful, or potentially so, would be a reliable determinant that change or improvement is indeed necessary. Some of these conditions are quite obvious and apparent, and come readily to mind: illness, hunger, ignorance, poverty, homelessness, various emergencies and catastrophes, crime, as well as the current sorry state of our environment, to name but a few. However, in the final analysis, it would be necessary to compose and resort to a high-principled, just, competent and humane system, in order to consistently arrive at proper decisions regarding what problems shall be considered such; as well as whether, in what priority, and in what fashion, mans efforts would be employed to alleviate them. In short, it should be a function of the will of the world, exercised through a single, super-efficient, logical and objective, guiding, directing, and executing entity, to determine these things, and to carry them out.

Problem-solving, as well as all other functions of government, should be carried on and directed by such a worldwide entity, free of national or political concerns, competition, pressure, and strife. It should be composed of the most eminently skilled and highly capable peoplethose people who are most proficient to accomplish what is in actuality the most critical work amongst all human endeavor: the direction and guidance of our world. For this, the worlds most crucial pursuit not merely constituting just recompensebut, more importantly, in order to make certain that the most highly skilled and eminently capable people are attracted and retainedthe worlds most rewarding system of compensation must be established. Too often today, under our present grossly imperfect system, the most talented and able among us will shun public service, government, and especially the frivolous, childish, world of politics which is usually prerequisite to such service; and opt instead for the significantly less pressuring, and frequently more financially and/or otherwise rewarding, private sector. No longer will our most brilliant leaders choose only to direct brokerage houses and manufacturing facilities; while our worlds most critical affairs often wind up in the hands of mediocrebut popularpoliticians, and/or their friends. Further, no longer will a person with no more than average skill and competence have a loud, perhaps determining, and possibly damaging, voice in

world affairs, because he happens to be one of the few capable personsor, worse, the most popular or personally powerful personwithin the bounds of a certain defined geographic area of our globe (which we presently call a country).

*****

Application of rational thinking to the question of how the world should be organized and administered seems to naturally and logically point to that which I propose in this book. As the single, most fundamental, and most encompassing and all-inclusive entity to which every single one of us belongs, our world should be perceived and considered, managed and directed, in the same fashion as any large and important organizationonly more so. It does not require the mind of a managerial genius to realize that a business concern could not function effectively nay, could not remain viable for longif its various departments or branches were directed by the most popular people in the company; or if each department were obligated to expend a major percentage of its time and personnel upon supplying itself, and maintaining readiness for potential inter-departmental or inter-office strife; or if they were in a state of chronic conflict and occasional mortal combat with each other.

Perhaps, here, the reader might ask whether I propose the abolition of anything resembling competition. Of course, I must acknowledge that competition is a helpful concept, and is frequently resorted to as a motivator in efforts to promote quantitative and/or qualitative excellence. However, to be honest I must admit that I consider competition to in fact be but a contrivance, and an artificial motivational tool. For nothing positive is ever actually produced, per se, from beating the other guy. At most, competition is merely a reason for meor my teamto strive harder. But there are other reasonsperhaps more worthy reasons, perhaps more inspirational reasonswhich might be generative of yet greater degrees of motivation and accomplishment.

I would point out, for example, that many of mankinds most beneficial and splendid achievements were not in fact motivated by a sense of competitionbut, rather, by desire for enrichment; by feelings of duty, morality, idealism, or devotion; and, particularly, by the most powerful motivator of all: love . Moreover, even competition, as it exists in our business, professional, and athletic worlds today, generally does not go so far (and never should go so far) as to contemplate actually harming or annihilating the competitors. Rather, it merely seeks to stimulate more and/or better products, service, or performance, This, in turn, frequently produces a resultant overall improvement throughout the entire industry, profession, or sport

itself: which ultimately redounds to the benefit of all consumers or spectators. If competition among nations were merely of this nature (i.e., a number of national entities, competingby striving to offer better conditions and services as a means of generating more applications for citizenship from among the worlds populace), my present efforts would be less, if at all, necessary, and this book probably unwritten. However, a cursory consideration of the history of the world to date clearly indicates that this aspect of international competition has been, and continues to be, quite different, and far more catastrophic. Thus, to those among you who support and would retain the present national system by reason of a supposition that conversion to Universality would remove competition and create a bland and unproductive environment, I respectfully declare that this is not likely. For the gravity of that which is at stake, together with the potential for the resultant benefits to be had from World Unity, will constitute far more potent forms of motivation, toward a bright and promising new age.

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I would venture to submit that humanity has progressed, socialogically and technologically, to a point where a system of World Unity is not only presently appropriatebut actually acutely necessary. As I state on subsequent pages, I am of

the opinion that mankind has advanced to a point at which we are not only ready for Universalitybut that we need it now, if we are indeed to survive.

To citizens of the United States (an assemblage of fifty stateswhose very seal bears the legend e pluribus unum), as well as to those of so many other nations whose present composition is but an agglomeration of a number of smaller, formerly separate, states, nations, or groups of peoples, I would point out that Universality is but an extension of, a further fulfillment of, and the ultimate destination of, the underlying trends toward assembly and unity which have been taking place before the eyes of all of us since the beginnings of civilization.

If a threat to our entire globe (perhaps, for example, by an alien force from another planet) were to manifest itself at some future date, I am rather certain that such a fortuity would generate an immediate about-face in our relations amongst ourselves, and foster a spirit of cooperation and unity much along the lines which I suggest herein. But, actually, such a mortal threat does already exist at this very instant. Ironically, this threat comes not from afarbut from withinbeing directed toward, as well as issuing from, our very selves! ***** Thus I propose, and herein set forth some details for the implementation of a system

of Universality or World Unity. Pursuant to such a system, there would be universal understanding, via a common language, common systems, and the recognition and addressing of common problems and common goals. I am firmly convincedand I am rather certain that most anthropologists, biologists, psychologists, sociologists, and historians would agreethat we humans are a great deal more similar to each other, than different from one another. This being the happy and fortunate case, I can be assured that the basic problems which confront me are similar to those of my brother as welland that the fundamental goals which I harbor within myself as a civilized human being are actually simultaneously shared by the vast majority of civilized humankind everywhere.

I do not herein suggest a forsaking or abandonment of personal, family, local, or regional, feelings, traits, characteristics, or customs. I consider these to be ingredients of that which we call culture, and to be normal as well as somewhat necessary. I furthermore have the deepest respect and admiration for customs and institutions which have been developed by numerous praiseworthy people over centuries of history and activity. What I am seeking to promote, however, is a sense of acceptance of, and harmony with, the feelings, traits, characteristics, and customs of all, by all. Most particularly, I seek replacement of what has come to be an almost automatic attitude of militarism and hostility on behalf of its membership

and its culture, on the part of various groups, regarding real or imagined, past, present, or anticipated, offenses by other groups. I desire to see these attitudes replaced by feelings of acceptance and amiability. I have an unshakeable belief that we can all live together in peace and harmony; and that doing so would shortly resultnot in a sacrifice, surrender, or handing over of rights or powersbut, rather, in numerous resultant benefits and gains which would naturally issue forth.

I additionally foresee, as a further extension of that which I herein seek to promote being a condition which I consider to be an inevitable eventuality anywaya blending of all of our cultures into a final universal super-culture of vast dimensions and greatness. Still further, I predict an eventual natural unity among people as well (i.e., absent unnatural interference, I foresee an eventual single golden race of very healthy, very intelligent, and hopefully very happy people). I am not espousing these blendings (although I recognize nothing wrong with them), I am merely predicting that this is what will likely occur anyway, whether we currently approve of this or not. And I observe , and herein describe, a host of present trends which indicate the likelihood that future generations will continue to proceed in these directionsalbeit naturally and unintentionally, if not knowingly and willingly. This being the case, I see no reason why we should notat least on an elementary political level to begin withmove ourselves in the direction of the inevitablebut a trifle

sooner. Perhaps in so doing, we will help our world to survive long enough for this predicted inevitable state to attain complete fulfillment.

I consequently look forward to an eventual day when we will all abide in a safe and happy world. There will be sensible and cognizant planning, to meet the needs of mankindwithout the disruptive influences engendered by inter-factional competition and hostilities; and relieved of the wasteful drain and danger wrought by the maintenance of armies and the stockpiling of weapons. For the selfsame reasons, such plans thus arrived at will be remarkably capable of greater degrees of realization and accomplishment. There will be consequent peace and brotherhood among all people. Harmony will prevail upon the face of the earth. And our Creator will smile down upon us all!

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