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Nationalism and universalism
Garda GHISTA
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 10:40 PM
Dear Germà,
Initially I did not realize what the WP21 was on my email account and was
deleting them. Most probably I deleted the 'subject of the month'; otherwise
I would have written more directly on this month's topic. Also, I now print
and keep all postings in a binder so that I can refer to them for a long
time to come. I appreciate that some participants have given other links /
mentioned other similar organizations, as I am a newcomer to this subject of
world government, and my aim is perhaps primarily to learn from others.
Topic - values and principles for a world parliament
Living in America today it has become very fashionable to cry out for
nationalism. American flags are everywhere - on the cars, on the apartment
balconies, on the front lawns. George Bush said, 'you are either with us or
against us.' in fact, nationalism is a psychic ailment or disease which
causes so much destruction in the world. The broadness of an individual
depends on his/her angle of vision - as the broadness of vision becomes
smaller, so also the person becomes more and more mean-minded. Some people
may think that the casteism in India, for example, is worse than
nationalism. But in fact, there are around 2 million Brahmins in India and
there are 4.5 million people living in Malaysia who are feeling
nationalistic regarding their country.
The only 'ism' that merits our support as the only value fit for the 21st
century is universalism. Universalism is all-pervading and it does not
favor any group or vested interest. The mindset of a universalist does not
know any narrowness, any boundaries. Universalism is the only mindset for
today, it is the only panacea for the social ailments plaguing our planet.
If people can learn to adopt this value of universalism, if they can learn
to put this principle above the concept of state sovereignty, then the
practical concept of world government will automatically fall into place.
The concept of putting universalism above nationalism needs to be
incorporated into the primary school curriculums in every country.
With best wishes,
Garda
Kentucky, USA
WP21 Alliance Forum on a World Parliament for the 21st Century
E-mail : world-parl@forums.alliance21.org
Fax 1 717 264 5036
Information, inscriptions, désinscriptions: germa@alliance21.org
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