And now for a world government

Financial Times ^ | December 8 2008 | Gideon Rachman

[george76]

I have never believed that there is a secret United Nations plot to take over the US. I have never seen black helicopters hovering in the sky above Montana. But, for the first time in my life, I think the formation of some sort of world government is plausible.

A “world government” would involve much more than co-operation between nations. It would be an entity with state-like characteristics, backed by a body of laws.

Geoffrey Blainey, an eminent Australian historian, has written: “For the first time in human history, world government of some sort is now possible.”

Barack Obama... In his book, The Audacity of Hope, he argued that: “When the world’s sole superpower willingly restrains its power and abides by internationally agreed-upon standards of conduct, it sends a message that these are rules worth following.”

The importance that Mr Obama attaches to the UN is shown by the fact that he has appointed Susan Rice, one of his closest aides, as America’s ambassador to the UN, and given her a seat in the cabinet.

A taste of the ideas doing the rounds in Obama circles is offered by a recent report from the Managing Global Insecurity project, whose small US advisory group includes John Podesta... Strobe Talbott, the president of the Brookings Institution, from which Ms Rice has just emerged.

The MGI report argues for the creation of a UN high commissioner for ...

These are the kind of ideas that get people reaching for their rifles in America’s talk-radio heartland. Aware of the political sensitivity of its ideas, the MGI report opts for soothing language.

[the invisib1e hand]

it's not only plausible, it's inevitable.

societies have always needed government (ask the founders) and, frankly, like it or not, the village really is global, thanks to technology.

[buccaneer81]

it's not only plausible, it's inevitable.

Disagree. Ideology and religion will (thankfully) prevent that.

[Secret Agent Man]

I am not saying they are NWO helicopters, but I can tell you I have seen black helicopters with either no lettering or next to nothing markings on them flying over my area within the last few years.

[the invisib1e hand]

Disagree. Ideology and religion will (thankfully) prevent that.

Interesting wrinkle, but it doesn't refute the premise of a global village needing a global government -- it only complicates it.

[rbg81]

And Islam will be its offical religion. Just watch.

[brushcop]

We are in a flyway where military helicopters fly often, usually training in formation flying. Remember that most of good ol’ USA helicopters are dark to black with subdued markings that are impossible to see from any distance. Don’t be too paranoid but cautious is always prudent...

[buccaneer81]

but it doesn't refute the premise of a global village needing a global government

You can't really believe that.

[mommyq]

I refuse to take anyone seriously who doesn’t know how to spell cooperation.

[nathanbedford]

I agree with The Invisible Hand, world government is inevitable but whether or not it is desirable depends on the nature of that government and the method by which it is derived.

There is a huge difference between the way the American Constitution was adopted and the way the elite ruling class in Europe is attempting to impose a super government on Europe. The American founders drafted a document which was designed to restrain government and empower the individual and to protect him from the very government being created. The constitution of the European Union, a bloated document of hundreds of pages, is designed to enable liberals to behave like liberals which is to commit government wherever they see an itch that they think needs scratching.

The author of this article describes the process in Europe:

But this “problem” also hints at a more welcome reason why making progress on global governance will be slow sledding. Even in the EU – the heartland of law-based international government – the idea remains unpopular. The EU has suffered a series of humiliating defeats in referendums, when plans for “ever closer union” have been referred to the voters. In general, the Union has progressed fastest when far-reaching deals have been agreed by technocrats and politicians – and then pushed through without direct reference to the voters. International governance tends to be effective, only when it is anti-democratic.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Laughable.

Urban city councils/school districts can’t get along. In fact they fight like children. What makes anyone think “diverse” nations/ethnicities/religions/cultures/economies can manage ANYTHING as “one”?

They can’t, won’t, ain’t gonna happen, never will.

[the invisib1e hand]

You can't really believe that.

As I said, it's inevitable, wired into the social (and fallen) nature of humans.

[Kackikat]

Give me a break, and our founding fathers warned us about this kind of ideology.

[buccaneer81]

I agree with The Invisible Hand, world government is inevitable

If there aren't 200+ stars on the United States flag, I want no part of it.

[Kackikat]

What are you? A liberal UN NWO type?

[buccaneer81]

Excellent post. Spot on.

[the invisib1e hand]

Give me a break, and our founding fathers warned us about this kind of ideology.

Our founders created a government. Why, to pass the time?

If they wanted to undue a unjust government, they could have just revolted and smoked pot on the beach instead of enduring the arduous process of forming the Constitution, and taking upon themselves the duty, the unpleasant responsibility, of government.

They did it because...communities (large, small, local, global) must be organized. Sorry for that unfortunate choice of words, there. This is no endorsement of either global government or community organizers.

[charmedone]

I see them all the time also, but then, of course, I am less than 2 miles from the Apache factory!.

[the invisib1e hand]

What are you? A liberal UN NWO type?

man, you figgered me out right quick.