The necessity and prerequisites of a world government

By Ac. Krtashivananda

For the first time in history through the influence of science and
technology, our planet and its inhabitants have become parts of one whole,
affected by each other. Economic and political phenomena are compelling us
to treat the world as one unit. Yet the sense that the human race must
become one community is a causal whim, a vague aspiration, and not generally
accepted as a conscious ideal.

Even today we find that in the people's outlook there are clashing tides of
colour, race, nation, religion and gender that continue to create
antagonisms, myths and dreams that divide human society into hostile camps,
and unfortunately, there is no world body with a firm resolve to neturalize
those hostilities. At best peace-keeping objectives are established but with
no forward thinking or way ahead to unite the human society and move
factions out of the dogmas that create instability, tension and war.

The tyrannization and oppression of the Tibetan people, the massacres in the
Balkans, tribal conflicts in Africa, religious persecution in the Middle
East and the persecution of minorities in Bangla Desh and elsewhere
demonstrate clearly the impotence of the United Nations. Some examples show
this. The Khalenj Times of the United Arab Emirates wrote: "Blunt military
action in Somalia to avenge armed offences against U.N. personnel contrasts
starkly with inaction . in the face of persistent Nazi-like atrocities
against Bosnian Muslims." Il Messagero of Italy wrote: "It was hoped that
the U.N. could finally carry out its duties in a world government framework,
[but] it does not yet have the authority, the strength, or the necessary
political design to accomplish its tasks."

The powerlessness of the world body lies in the fact that any one of the Big
Five (the permanent members of the Security Council) can veto any crucial
decision of the collective body. Another vital problem is the contradiction
in the U.N. Charter between its first purpose - to maintain international
peace - and the first principle of "the sovereign equality of all its
members". That means the U.N. has no real authority to interfere in the
internal affairs of any nation even if the ruling class victimizes its
minorities. As an inevitable consequence the suppression of minorities and
the exodus of refugees are increasing, with utter disregard for justice and
human values.

One of the principal tasks of the U.N., as set forth in Article 55 of the
Charter, is to promote "Universal respect for, and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex,
language and religion." In conformity with this provision of the Charter,
the Human Rights Commission was set up by the Economic and Social Council of
the U.N. The Commission drew up the famous Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which was adopted by the General Assembly of the U.N. in December
1948. This declaration is regarded as an international Magna Charta for all
of humanity.

The Declaration consists of a Preamble and 30 articles. Closely following
the American Bill of Rights and declarations of people's rights in other
countries, the first part of the Declaration reaffirms political and civil
rights and various freedoms, such as freedom of speech and worship, personal
security, equality before the law, a right to own property, etc. The second
part deals with more recently recognized human rights, generally called
economic, social and cultural rights.

But a mere declaration of rights cannot ensure the enjoyment of these rights
unless they are recognized and enforced by their governments. In the absence
of any constitutional obligation and any agency to enforce these rights, the
Declaration has so far remained somewhat a pious wish. It is essential today
to ensure some form of legal sanction so that rights can be enforced. For
this to happen, the world body must have constitutional sovereignty over
national sovereignty.

To neutralize the antagonisms between ethnic, racial, religious and tribal
groups, the spirit of neo-humanism should be given prime importance.

In the opinion of M.N. Roy:

"Humanism is cosmopolitan. It does not run after utopian internationalism,
which presupposes the existence of autonomous national states. A
cosmopolitan commonwealth of free men and women is a possibility. It will be
a spiritual community, not limited by the boundaries of national states -
capitalist, fascist, communist or any other ism, which will gradually
disappear under the impact of cosmopolitan humanism."

Shrii Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar proposes:

"The universe is just like a joint family. Peace and tranquillity depend on
a well-knit socio-economic structure. The moulding of the socio-economic
structure depends on the ideological outlook. First we should have a
constructive ideal. The ideal should not only be a culminating point but it
should be a starting point also."

To this objective, Sarkar further proposes:

"Universalism does not depend upon any relative factor. Hence it is free
from the vices of 'isms'. 'Isms' are a major contributor to war. Those who
are eager to establish peace should shake off nationalism and other allied
'isms'. If we are to shake off these 'isms' we have to organize a universal
body and go on strengthening its power. It will be the first phase in
establishing the World Government. In the initial stage it will be a law
framing body. The first beneficial effect of such a body will be that no
country will be allowed to frame laws detrimental to the interest of its
minorities. The right of executing those laws will be vested with the
local/municipal government and not with the World Government. That World
Government will decide the principles to enforce law in a particular
country."

With the centralization of political power, it should be the case that
economic power should be decentralized. Self-reliant socio-economic zones
should be based on the sentimental legacy and economic potentiality of each
zone. This will be the lowest political unit of the world confederation.

Discarding all forms of nationalism or internationalism in the form of
fascism, communism, capitalism, etc, universalism must find its way towards
the establishment of a world government. The following factors are essential
for this purpose:

- Common philosophy of life

- Universality of constitutional structure

- A common penal code

- Availability of the minimum requirements of life

- Guarantee of the minimum necessities of life.

1) A common philosophy of life

The destiny of the human race, as of the individual, depends on the
direction of its life forces, the lights that guide it, and the values that
mould it. At this juncture of human history it is essential to discard the
narrow geo-sentiments, socio-sentiments and other group sentiments in the
form of nationalism, racism, religious groupism and tribalism. That there is
a spiritual unity of all living beings within an apparent diversity of
expression is the essence of neo-humanism. The real essence of progressive
movement is from what may be called imperfection to perfection, from bondage
to liberation can be seen to be the underlying struggle and movement. In the
collective effort to realize the spiritual and human unity of society lays
the genesis of social progress.

2) Universality of constitutional structure

Throughout history, dominating classes have framed laws according to their
interests rather than higher values. Under a world government however, the
differences among cardinal values, morality and law should be minimized. The
difference between cardinal law, moral law and human law should be
minimized. Discarding narrow considerations of religion and class
domination, there should be one universally accepted set of laws. The world
constitution should be based on the following principles:

a) A guarantee of purchasing power adequate to secure the minimum
requirements of life to all citizens of every country. These requirements
include food, clothing, housing, medical and education.

b) The recognition of four fundamental rights:

i) spiritual practice

ii) cultural legacy

iii) education

iv) indigenous linguistic expression.

If the practice of any of these rights conflicts with cardinal human values
then that practice should be curtailed immediately; cardinal human values
should take precedence over all rights.

c) A guarantee of complete security to all plants and animals. This is the
environmental factor and the need to sustain and enhance the whole
environment.

3) A common penal code

The penal code should also be prepared on the basis of a common code as part
of the world constitutional structure. This requires that the entire
conception of vice and virtue be reevaluated and configured in terms of
underlying human cardinal values.

4) Guarantee of the minimum necessities of life

This is the fundamental aspect of the economic structure of Sarkar's PROUT.
Special amenities may be given to the people according to their output, but
only after guaranteeing the minimum requirements to all. For this purpose,
economic balance for the world must be restored. That can only be done
through a decentralised co-operative structure where consumer motive and
needs is prevalent not the profit motive.

From "World Government, a Reality of the 21st Century"

Prout Research Institute

Copenhagen

1995

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World government

By P.R. Sarkar

To materialize the concept of universalism a world government is necessary.
This world government should be a confederation of all the federated states
of the world. These federated states will consist of self-sufficient
economic units or zones formed entirely on socio-economic and geographical
considerations. Economically developed areas have a tendency to exploit
economically undeveloped areas and hence federated states should be formed
of different units. If we take a concrete example inside India, Vidarbhga,
being a Marathi-speaking area, does not want to remain a part of Maharasthra
and wants to become a separate state. Another important example is
Azarbaizan. The Persian portion of Azarbaizan agitated to merge with the
Soviet portion of Azarbaizan to ensure economic development. The different
units or zones formed in this way may be redefined and rename for
administrative convenience. These units may have certain common factors and
these common factors will unite them into federations.

In the initial stage, the world government will be a law-making body and the
different federations will have executive powers to implement the laws
passed by the world government. The federations may or may not fully
materialize the laws of the confederation but they must not go against them.
The confederation will, however, have some executive power for limited and
defined purposes, namely, for maintaining inter-federal peace and
tranquillity and for settling intra/inter-planetary disputes. This will mean
the maintenance of a world militia under the full control of the
confederation.

The federation and the units will also maintain a police force to ensure
internal law and order. The economic units or zones will have parliamentary
boards to govern and dictate politically. These boards will form one higher
board, which will be called federated boards. These federated boards will
govern the different federations. The collection of these federated boards
is called the confederated board or body. This body will look after the
confederation as a whole, but will not ignore the interests of any
federation.

From "Talks on Prout"

Prout in a Nutshell 15

1961

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Hindrances to world government

By P R Sarkar

Many people say that different national interests are the only hurdle in the
formation of a world government. In my opinion this is not the only
obstruction; rather, this is just a minor difficulty. The real cause lies in
the fear of national leaders losing their leadership. For example, when
corrupt practices and dictatorships are exposed or when the world community
sees that they cannot adhere to cardinal human values in their
administration. With the establishment of a world government the powerful
influence, which they enjoy today in different countries, societies and in
national life, will no longer exist.

Different national interests and popular scepticism may hinder the formation
of a world government. The progress of the work of establishing a world
government must be carried on step by step to remove the baseless fears in
the human minds. All due consideration will have to be given to removing any
possible obstacles to the formation of a world government. The world
government has to be strengthened step by step and not suddenly. For
example, two houses may be formed for an unspecified period for
administration. The lower house will comprise representatives from parts of
the world elected on the basis of population, while members of the upper
house will be elected country wise. This is the most important arrangement
to establish. By this arrangement those countries which cannot send a single
representative to the lower house due to their small population, will
benefit by expressing their opinions before the people of the world by
sending their representatives to the upper house. The upper house cannot
adopt any resolution unless the lower house has ratified it, but it will
enjoy the privilege of disallowing the decisions of the lower house.

In the first stage this world government it may act as a law framing body -
establishing the principles of laws for national enactment. So, the world
government will be vested with framing the rights of implementation or
non-implementation of any particular law in any particular region. In the
beginning when the world government is being established, the governments of
different countries will have administrative power to see that the cardinal
human values are reflected in national laws that do not go against the
principles determined by the world government. As they will not have any
power to enact any laws arbitrarily or contrary to universal principles, it
will not be easy for any government to inflict atrocities on its linguistic,
religious, or political minorities according to the whims of the governing
majority.

From Problems of the day

Bhagalpur

26 January 1958

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Benefits of global government

By P.R. Sarkar

Question: What will be the benefits and advantages to be enjoyed by people
if a global government is formed?

Answer: There are several benefits and advantages:

- The huge expense of maintaining a militia in each country will be saved
and this saving can be used by people for their benefit

- Human beings will be saved from psychic tension

- There will be less bloodshed

- There will be free movement of people from one corner of the globe to the
other

From "Questions and answers"

Prout in a nutshell 12, Calcutta

10 December 1987

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World militia

By P.R. Sarkar

Question: When a world government will be formed, should there be any world
militia?

Answer: There is need for a world militia because there may be
inter-planetary fight.

From "Questions and answers"

Prout in a nutshell 18

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