Post by Nelson Walker on Apr 18, 2004 19:22:27 GMT -5
I have a theory about world conditions which I have not heard discussed. And my solutions for which I am sure will raise a lot of hackles.
It is based on the quotation from Edmund Burke : “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing”.
I believe that much if not all the pain in the world (aside from disease and natural disasters), can usually be attributed to specific individuals.
Examples, working backwards (in no order) as far as my memory will take me:
Saddam Hussein, Arafat, Kim Jong Il, Pol Pot, Mao Tse Tung, Fidel Castro
Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Idi Amin, Mugabe, et al
Most of these individuals not only massacred and tortured their people on a massive scale, but in taking power for the sake of power (some in the name of doing long term ‘good’ for the people), destroyed the viablity of their own country’s economic system and infrastructure so that the mass of the people were reduced to poverty with no hope of recovery. (Do we have anywhere any historical evidence of a dictatorship with a thriving, prosperous economy?) Hitler of course was not in power long enough to ruin his own peacetime economy, but he certainly inflicted plenty of pain on the world!
This kind of history leads me to the idea that we do not do enough Iraqs. The world, the UN, the U.S.,and others, have all stood aside while massive government sponsored or tolerated atrocities have been perpetrated. That is, the world of civilized nations has not decided that enough is enough, and that killer type leaders are not to be permitted to continue.
Of course, ‘the world’, as represented by the United Nations, is still full of despotic leaders, who would continue to make excuses for their colleagues’ transgressions, as well as free countries whose populations are not exactly gung ho on being international policemen. Which leads me to my first suggestion for change:
The United States should propose the formation of a League of Free Nations, whose membership shall consist only of those countries with a demonstrated record of free elections, and whose constitutions include the basic rights of free speech, assembly, religion, and the rule of law. Continuation of membership in the League shall be by majority vote of the members, after debate on any charges of dereliction.
This League of Free Nations shall maintain a standing military wing made up of volunteers from its member nations, in proportion to each members’ population, and financial/other resources from each in proportion to its GNP. This military will be mostly in the form of an overwhelmingly powerful elite strike force (including ‘smart’ weapons) to put down any genocide, mass violence, or coups. The League will also maintain a Dept of Elections to oversee that the aftermath of any change of government is done equitably. It could have a Directorate body similar to the UN.
If such a League should be established, it is likely that many free nations will elect to leave the UN to join the League, in which case the UN will be substantially weakened as a force in the world. More to the point, many less than free nations will probably improve their forms of governance to gain membership in the League. The despots will be left to twiddle their thumbs.
The Chairperson of the Directorate, upon a majority vote of the League, shall have the authority to dispatch military force (preferably in overwhelming strength to avoid protracted engagements) to suppress major disturbances, and to force effective negotiations toward resolution. In the event that the League. after investigation, has decided that the problem has been incited or supported by the incumbent ruler, it will promote an electoral process for free and fair elections.
It is based on the quotation from Edmund Burke : “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing”.
I believe that much if not all the pain in the world (aside from disease and natural disasters), can usually be attributed to specific individuals.
Examples, working backwards (in no order) as far as my memory will take me:
Saddam Hussein, Arafat, Kim Jong Il, Pol Pot, Mao Tse Tung, Fidel Castro
Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Idi Amin, Mugabe, et al
Most of these individuals not only massacred and tortured their people on a massive scale, but in taking power for the sake of power (some in the name of doing long term ‘good’ for the people), destroyed the viablity of their own country’s economic system and infrastructure so that the mass of the people were reduced to poverty with no hope of recovery. (Do we have anywhere any historical evidence of a dictatorship with a thriving, prosperous economy?) Hitler of course was not in power long enough to ruin his own peacetime economy, but he certainly inflicted plenty of pain on the world!
This kind of history leads me to the idea that we do not do enough Iraqs. The world, the UN, the U.S.,and others, have all stood aside while massive government sponsored or tolerated atrocities have been perpetrated. That is, the world of civilized nations has not decided that enough is enough, and that killer type leaders are not to be permitted to continue.
Of course, ‘the world’, as represented by the United Nations, is still full of despotic leaders, who would continue to make excuses for their colleagues’ transgressions, as well as free countries whose populations are not exactly gung ho on being international policemen. Which leads me to my first suggestion for change:
The United States should propose the formation of a League of Free Nations, whose membership shall consist only of those countries with a demonstrated record of free elections, and whose constitutions include the basic rights of free speech, assembly, religion, and the rule of law. Continuation of membership in the League shall be by majority vote of the members, after debate on any charges of dereliction.
This League of Free Nations shall maintain a standing military wing made up of volunteers from its member nations, in proportion to each members’ population, and financial/other resources from each in proportion to its GNP. This military will be mostly in the form of an overwhelmingly powerful elite strike force (including ‘smart’ weapons) to put down any genocide, mass violence, or coups. The League will also maintain a Dept of Elections to oversee that the aftermath of any change of government is done equitably. It could have a Directorate body similar to the UN.
If such a League should be established, it is likely that many free nations will elect to leave the UN to join the League, in which case the UN will be substantially weakened as a force in the world. More to the point, many less than free nations will probably improve their forms of governance to gain membership in the League. The despots will be left to twiddle their thumbs.
The Chairperson of the Directorate, upon a majority vote of the League, shall have the authority to dispatch military force (preferably in overwhelming strength to avoid protracted engagements) to suppress major disturbances, and to force effective negotiations toward resolution. In the event that the League. after investigation, has decided that the problem has been incited or supported by the incumbent ruler, it will promote an electoral process for free and fair elections.