As I reflect on the conclusions of this book, I am of two minds -- both a pessimistic and an optimistic outlook.
The pessimist in me compares our condition to a catastrophe that took place more than eighty years ago.
As we approach the end of the 20th century, the human condition begins to resemble what happened to the "unsinkable" Titanic in 1912. Events demonstrated that the vessel was made of brittle steel. It lacked the full complement of safety equipment (like lifeboats), and its owners urged the captain to go as fast as possible, taking the shortest -- though not the safest -- course. The outcome was a collision with an iceberg, and the loss of 1,513 lives out of the 2,224 passengers and crew aboard.
The planet Earth, with its human population approaching six billion, resembles the Titanic of yore, as it hurtles toward the future. On the top decks the wealthy and well-to-do (the developed nations) are enjoying themselves. In the hold the poorer passengers (the less developed world) are huddled, waiting for the arrival of their good future. The crew (politicians/powerholders) is rushing "full speed ahead" blindly into the darkness. But not very far ahead are many huge icebergs (terminally harmful developments). Fortunately the ship lookouts (scholars and forecasters) have detected the looming icebergs. But can the lookout convince the vessel's captain (the United States) that there are great dangers ahead? Only the captain has the power to to initiate the needed change of direction, to prevent the collision that will sink the titanic ship (destroy our civilization) and kill most or even all of its passengers (extinction of Homo sapiens).
My optimistic side contemplates the history of the United States and sees evidence that it is possible to effect such a change of course.
As I travel occasionally through downtown Washington, I am struck by the prevalence of the number "three," all somewhat connected to a major part of the city -- the Federal Triangle. Depending on where I am located, I can see one or more of the three structures that symbolize the separation of the executive, legislative and judicial powers that was so conducive to the preservation of democracy: the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court. The Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln Monuments are the three memorials of the great presidents who founded and preserved the United States. And there are now three memorials dedicated to those who perished as victims of the war institution: the Arlington Memorial Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial and the Holocaust Memorial. Arlington Cemetery is the resting place of many who gave their lives to preserve the Union. The Vietnam Memorial underscores the futility of war by actually listing the names of those who died in vain. And the Holocaust Memorial reveals the level to which human nature can sink when it is uncontrolled by moral principles.
The existence of America confirms that it is possible to create a nation where people of many different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds can live together in a highly productive society. The Founding Fathers demonstrated that it is feasible to create government structures that prevent the misuse of power. The history of America proves that even time honored social institutions -- such as hereditary monarchy and slavery -- can be abolished once their harmfulness is exposed. And periodic renewals of society through social movements -- Great Awakenings -- are also feasible, when the instinct for human survival overcomes the forces of human greed and wickedness.
My experiences and background enable me to see America in historical context. Enacted on a gigantic stage by millions of citizens are four phases or stages of history.
Phase One was the abolition of hereditary monarchy. The American Revolution initiated independence and the beginning of greatness. The Founding Fathers' Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were a triumph of "New Brain" logic over emotional thinking.
Phase Two was the abolition of slavery. William Lloyd Garrison initiated this triumph of morality and the victory of the logic of our common humanity over emotional, irrational racism.
Phase Three was the abolition of tyranny. America went to war three times -- World War I, World War II and the Cold War -- and defeated the predator nations of Germany and Japan, and the "nomenklatura" of the Soviet Union.
Defeating the militarists and the powerholders of German and Japanese racism and the communistic political class of Russia prepared the ground work for the next phase of human evolution:
Phase Four will be the abolition of the political mismanagement. We start by recognizing the common problems that affect humanity and the root causes that prevent the needed remedies -- the worldwide political class and the excessive war institution. We initiate the social movement Government for the People. We implement a New Model Government -- a truly "public servant" administration controlled by servant-leader/trustees. This new social institution will serve as a model for governing all countries. We provide leadership and resources to assist the less developed countries through the Common Good Covenant. The Common Good Covenant will provide the means of converting the existing traditional states into common good states. As more and more countries adopt the New Model Government, human development will advance throughout the world. The world-wide emergence of common good states will then secure the next stage of human evolution. The elimination of the traditional states and their incompetent rulers will allow the emergence of the New Human Order -- the flourishing of our civilization in a vibrant planetary environment.
We Americans have two choices:
Complacency = Extinction
Concern and action = Survival
The choice is ours; future generations depend us!
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