World Government - Utopian Dream or Current Reality?: Lessons of History: The United States and the European Union - Couverture souple

Converse, Raymond W

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0875868282 ISBN 13 : 9780875868288

Editeur : Algora Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

Building on the theoretical foundation laid in the first volume, this second installment undertakes a detailed historical and institutional analysis aimed at informing the practical implementation of a world government. The volume focuses on the evolution of federal systems, particularly those of the United States and the European Union, as instructive case studies for understanding the challenges and possibilities inherent in global governance.

The book begins with the pressing issue of disarmament, describing how a newly established world union would prioritize the creation of procedures for total and verifiable disarmament, including the safe destruction of weapons of mass destruction. It highlights the technical, political, and trust-related obstacles that such a process entails and draws lessons from existing international organizations to propose feasible pathways.

A key analytical thread is the exploration of 19th-century liberalism and its ideological roots, emphasizing how the United States Constitution and the European Union treaties embody these principles to varying degrees. The volume revisits foundational American documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation to illustrate the ideological struggles that shaped federalism and the enduring tensions between centralized authority and state sovereignty.

The narrative traces the early social and political engineering efforts in the United States, focusing on the compromises and conflicts between Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the gradual evolution of the federal government’s powers. In parallel, it examines the European Union as a co-governance system grappling with the balance between member states’ sovereignty and supranational authority.

The volume further analyzes the socio-economic dynamics influencing governance, including the effects of unrestrained capitalism, the rise of welfare states, and the political realignments following global conflicts like World War II and the Cold War. It presents a nuanced discussion of the interplay between national interests, global challenges, and the role of liberal democracy in adapting to these forces.

Throughout, the author underscores the importance of compromise, incremental social engineering, and the capacity for political institutions to evolve in response to changing realities. The volume concludes with reflections on contemporary U.S. foreign policy, the liberal bias of certain administrations, and the growing unilateralism that complicates multilateral governance.

In sum, this volume provides a rich historical and institutional framework that informs the possibilities and limitations of realizing a world government. It offers a balanced assessment grounded in the successes and failures of federal systems, emphasizing the need for trust, democratic representation, and pragmatic policy-making in the pursuit of global unity.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

As globalization gains speed and as its benefits and also its costs become more apparent, the author sketches out some of the conditions that could, eventually, make for a better life for all. The author follows the evolution of the political system of the US, in particular analyzing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, to trace how and when the rights of the general government, States' rights, and individual rights were addressed, and he draws comparisons and contrasts to the way the United Nations and the European Union have handled questions of national sovereignty vs. collective rights and obligations on the one hand, and human rights on the other. Beginning where Volume 1 left off, this book considers some of the ways such a union might be managed for the greatest good. He posits that for such a union to succeed, all nations will either be representative democracies or will convert to the use of representative democracy within a reasonable time after joining the world union. At the same time, a general sense of security, based on international disarmament, would be a prerequisite. Lastly, the author concludes that a meaningful liberal education is necessary to prepare individuals for their role as politically, economically, and socially informed citizens.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Algora Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2011
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0875868282
• ISBN 13: 9780875868288
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 252
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible