An "Earth" Government?

[weasel]

Optimistic science fiction films, like the Star Trek movies, depict Earth as a unified, political entity: there's one government that takes care of the whole planet. My question to you is is this something attainable or even worth obtaining in the near future? I personally don't think it'll ever happen until something truly catastrophic happens and forces nations to work together on an unparalleled level. Plus, look at the UN and how badly they're screwing things up right now with just their handful of responsibilities; they're all about red tape and minimal action. I'm afraid a "world wide UN" would only be worse since it would require the largest beuracracy in history. Additionally, I think nationalism is so inbred at this point that to try and tear down all borders would be foolish and idealistic not to mention the inevitable bias issues that would arrise from resource distribution.

If it could be pulled off, however, and proved itself to be an efficient and stable system, I think the world would benefit as a result. We'd see wide spread increases in living standards, life spans, productivity, and education. Of course this means that the quality of life in some of the first world countries would decrease a little bit but, as it stands right now, most of us have already been living in excess for far too long anyway. It's made us fat, lazy, and arrogant physically, morally, and intellectually; the rest of the world is taking note. We might also see a huge drop in violence across the planet since attacking a former "state" would incur a police action from all former "countries." However, all of this is purely specualtive and no doubt impractical. Imagine if it could happen, though....

Your comments are appreciated.

[Fulcanelli]

Simply wonderful theory weasel...
And I think you are absolutely right.
I love the idea that nations would have to work together,
Ender's Game definetly gives that idea. In this book a seemingly hostile alien species is threatening Earth. So helpless divided Earth agress on the International Fleet. I myself am almost sure that this would happen because as I said before, Earth would be helpless divided. May I also note that in this book, a war almost breaks out between 3 superpowers because there is no reason to be united anymore. I stongly support you weasel.

[GPIRS88]

The UN fails because all nations within respect the common idea of Sovereignty. (Maybe not so much on the US side). But this is what prevents UN policies to be effective. Its a good place for dialog but thats the only purpose the UN should serve.

The idea of a one world government gives potential for power to be given to one person and absolute power absolutely corrupts. Look at the US or Valenzuela.

Im not in favor for such an idea although i do think its well intended.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: GPIRS88 Im not in favor for such an idea although i do think its well intended.

I agree that it's a bad idea, but I definately think the plan is not well intentioned. It is a sinister plan to overthrow national sovereignty, which would lead to having no room for dissent from "popular opinion". You get to become an automaton just like everybody else.

[simple simon]

Quote by: GPIRS88 Look at the US

someone in the US has absolute power ?

i think it would be great .... but there are just too many people on the planet at the moment for it to work .... there would need to be a massive thinning of the herd first ...... like 70% or more of the world population

then there are the cultural differences that would be much too tough to mesh

[GPIRS88]

Quote by: simple simon someone in the US has absolute power ? i think it would be great .... but there are just too many people on the planet at the moment for it to work .... there would need to be a massive thinning of the herd first ...... like 70% or more of the world population then there are the cultural differences that would be much too tough to mesh

To a degree... If you compare Chavez's political maneuvering to assert his power over the people to Bush and the neo-cons actions in the post 9/11 world you ll find a lot of similarities.

Bush has way more power than he should have thanks to congress. Imagine a 1 world government where another Bush or Cheney rules......scary....its better to respect state sovereignty so we don't end up with a authoritarian like power ruling over us.

[simple simon]

Quote by: GPIRS88 To a degree... If you compare Chavez's political maneuvering to assert his power over the people to Bush and the neo-cons actions in the post 9/11 world you ll find a lot of similarities. Bush has way more power than he should have thanks to congress. Imagine a 1 world government where another Bush or Cheney rules......scary....its better to respect state sovereignty so we don't end up with a authoritarian like power ruling over us.

wow dude ..... do you check under the bed at night for the NWO ?

the President gets way too much credit and blame for anything that happens in this country

[GPIRS88]

Quote by: simple simon wow dude ..... do you check under the bed at night for the NWO ? the President gets way too much credit and blame for anything that happens in this country

NWO?

dude you make me sound like a conspiracy nut for blaming the Bush administration....the patriot act and the bush doctrine justifies my position to criticize.

Are you telling me your pro for a 1 world government?

What happens if some jerk like Chavez runs for world president?

[gela]

Im against it.
Basicly, it would be a democracy. In a democracy, the majority wins, and the minority loses.
Think about minorities on a global level. Entire cultures will be swallowed.
We are seeing things from a Western perspective. In Saudi Arabia, their laws are plain sexist. But the women like it that way, and the men like it that way. Who are we to go in and change their laws?
Its globalisation on an entirely new level.
I can see how you could argue that it would bring world peace - but I think there will always be extreamists. Someone will always strongly oppose the earth government, enough to fight them.

[grandpa]

Quote by: gela Im against it. Basicly, it would be a democracy.

You assume here that democracy MUST lead to minority persecution. However, that contradicts basic egalitarian principles. I want to live in democracy precisely because I dislike persecution.

Grandpa h.

[Dunfunkin']

Quote by: weasel Optimistic science fiction films, like the Star Trek movies, depict Earth as a unified, political entity: there's one government that takes care of the whole planet. My question to you is is this something attainable or even worth obtaining in the near future? etc etc

Ummm ... No. As long as there are more than two people alive on this planet there will divergent opinions, squabbles and sulking. And if there are three people left, well that just makes a crowd.

[another day]

it's impossible to effectively govern such a large area with one government. small, localized governments are the most beneficial to their citizens.

[weasel]

Quote by: another day it's impossible to effectively govern such a large area with one government. small, localized governments are the most beneficial to their citizens.

Do think, then, that nobody will ever successfully "take over the world" and hold unto it for a long period of time (case and point the Mongolian empire)?

[Dieval]

Although it sounds like it could be a noble idea, I think it will be a LOOOONG LOOOONG time before anything like that could happen...

[simple simon]

Quote by: Dieval Although it sounds like it could be a noble idea, I think it will be a LOOOONG LOOOONG time before anything like that could happen...

i dont think it could ever happen as a noble idea ..... to me it would be more like a .... 'gather the survivors and let's start over' ... type of thing

[Dieval]

Quote by: GPIRS88 NWO? dude you make me sound like a conspiracy nut for blaming the Bush administration....the patriot act and the bush doctrine justifies my position to criticize.

You act as though the government trying to protect their citizens from harm is a bad thing....

[simple simon]

Quote by: GPIRS88 NWO?

New World Order .... try and keep up

dude you make me sound like a conspiracy nut for blaming the Bush administration....the patriot act and the bush doctrine justifies my position to criticize.

the patriot act is helping us stay safe .... like it or not

Are you telling me your pro for a 1 world government?

yes i am

What happens if some jerk like Chavez runs for world president?

president ? ........ who says it would be a democracy ?

[Nemiroff]

Why do people keep thinking this is a democracy? When was the last time our president was elected by a direct poular vote? Never!

Even our pledge of allegiance makes it clear. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA, and for the REPUBLIC for which it stands.

We are a republic much like rome was before ceaser. We don't have majority rule, we have represented rule, as in a congress we elected to represent us makes the rules. Screw electing the president, more importantly, whens the last time anyone got a chance to vote for or against a law, or even suggest a law that wa at least considered?

[Nemiroff]

A world government will come together when we have an outside threat that threatens is all, such as an alien attack. Even then the world government should be restricted to defense, trade (with outside nations, such as friendly aliens), and checking up on local governments.

Of course it would have to be something huge to bring us together, and it would have to come from outside our human society. If all we know in the universe is us, there won't be only 1 government, there would need to be an international community of some sorts.

[GPIRS88]

Quote by: simple simon New World Order .... try and keep up the patriot act is helping us stay safe .... like it or not yes i am president ? ........ who says it would be a democracy ?

So your pro 1 world with no democracy (whatever thats your opinion)

But you do realize that losing Habeas Corpus and enforcing the Bush Doctrine actually pisses off both Americans for limiting their freedoms and the world for putting their sovereignty on the line. Both those policies puts more Americans in danger than it keeps safe.