World Government- Dream or Reality? at Wednesday, January 18, 2006

World Government- Dream or Reality?

This Post is writtien By our good friend Ishrat who is one of the sandpeople.

When we wish to discuss the virtues of a ‘’World Government’’, we should be fully cognizant of what governance is.it is the act or manner of relating to the welfare and grievances of people at large by the agent dedicated by the state to do so.

As was the case centuries ago, humanity is still torn by fissiparous tendencies. Nations are falling apart. The mighty Soviet empire fell apart because it was no more than a conglomeration of states bound by sheer force. Kosovo wants to break away from Serbia. East Timor has broken off from Indonesia. Chechnya threatens to break off from Russia. What do these events signify? Do they not reveal a lot about the way these nations were governed?

What was the real problem? The reality is centered on the human perception of needs and deeds – needs of what people want or aspire and deeds of themselves and that of the ‘’others’’ among them. ‘’They’’ are different. Why? There are differences in religion, ethnic background, appearance, language, culture, political philosophy, social customs and so on. Man is still burdened with these barriers and divisions. Ethnicity gives way to composite culture. Egos clash with ethos. ‘’There cannot be a country without people and the value of land is what man makes of it’’ so said Kautilya, more than two millenniums ago. He had also declared, ‘’in the happiness of his subject lies the ruler’s happiness; in their welfare is his welfare.’’

Whenever and wherever these principles were in conflict, people have fought wars – covert or overt and nations have fallen apart.

The governments need to be responsive and representative. whenever people perceived that the government that rules those does not really represent their wishes or aspirations, they have become restive. Sectarianism sets in. in several circumstances can we even conceive a ‘’World Government’’? can we have a government- a world government- which is representative of 5 continents and more than 5 billion people? How big will the government be? Will the indutrialised and the rich nations want to part with their wealth to uplift the welfare of the poorer and less developed sections of people elsewhere? Will they let the system be fair and equitable? Even if they condescended, it will only be to colonise and subjugate with the aim of furthering their own interests. Many countries including India, have paid a very stiff price under colonial rule. Will they want to get in to another one in a different garb called ‘’World Government’’? are we so naïve to think that we will not be ruled by Americans for instance with their present economic and military might?

Nothing will entice them to give up their place of primacy in world affairs – not a world government if it means giving up their present status.

We are witnessing how the UN is being manipulated by big powers. Even as Sovereign nations, all nations are not treated equally though the UN charter gives equality to all. The UN was formed soon after the Second World War with the victorious nations becoming permanent members. Even 50 years later, those nations want to perpetuate their domination in world affairs and are opposed to reforms in the UN which can officially alter the present power equations. In Industrialised Europe, we see the divisions even now with regard to the European Union, with the UK always giving out the dissenting voice.

In Theocratic nations, secularism is anathema. In monarchist nations, democracy is taboo. In Communist China, the state prevails over the individual in all walks of life. How can we think of a world Government?

Do we want to descend into the labyrinth of utter chaos for all time to come, the deliverance from which will be possible only by a Messiah? Think about it.
You will inevitably conclude that a world government is Utopian.