Higher Concerns in Global Politics (CL7 to CL4)

Personal Responsibility

CL7-Human Context

Global politics affects people going about their everyday life. Reference to the «human needs of individuals» uses a tautology to emphasize that the international «community of the powerful» must never lose sight of the precious quality of every single person. Appreciating the value and needs of every single person remains a matter for each nation, and within that for local communities (see tiers of territorial community) and, ultimately, for every single person.Geopolitics Centres and Channels of influence in relation to global political solutions based on the social context (L5), moral context (L6) and the human context (L7).

Valuing every single person can only occur by reference to …Closed ethical-personal notions like fairness, compassion, benevolence, and acceptance. This is certainly possible and practical given that mankind has turned against slavery, infanticide, torture, beating children and numerous other inhuman acts—even if they still occur far too widely.

ClosedCL6-Moral Context

The moral context is termed here the conscience of global politics. On the global side conscience-CL6G is expressed by a worldwide conception of humane considerations that can be brought to bear on any problematic issue. On the national side, we can recognize the soul of a nation-CL6N, the integrity of its spirit and the self-respect of its citizens. Those who say: “the idea of America is dead—all that is left is the United States” are tapping into this conception of the USA, and giving their verdict.

ClosedCL5-The Social Context

The social context(CL5) refers to world opinionand the sentiments-CL5G that can sweep across the globe. Like public opinion in a nation, this can be manipulated or simply be in error. Nevertheless, it can still be a force to be reckoned with. At the same time, there must be a recognition that existing national conditions, modes of living, and domestic social pressures-CL5N should also be taken into account. Current social realities can rarely be changed or dismantled quickly and easily.

ClosedCL4-Global Solutions to meet CL7-Human Needs

The goal of governance in the international context, means solutions for global problems (CL4B). Many problems affect all or a significant number of nations e.g. food shortages, human trafficking, desertification, clean energy needs. The CL4-Solutions Centre has a Channel directly to the CL7-Human Needs Centre, which provides for either constructive development or mindless devastation.

The feelings of guilt and shame that permeated Germany following the atrocities of World-War II were intense. George Steiner described how language, the edifice of daily life, itself became damaged.

Soldiers suffer when they perpetrate and witness horrors, especially in wars that make little sense and produce no obvious worthwhile outcomes domestically. Many American, English and Israeli soldiers returning from Vietnam, Lebanon, Iraq, or Afghanistan not only suffered psychological damage but also social rejection and government neglect.

Contrary to what the state-influenced media says, violations of humanity, like genocide or torture, pursued by other nations are far less serious than violations performed by our own. What happens to self-respect? Where is the sense of honour? What values are we fighting for? What happens to pride in one’s country? Can it be that our violations are justified, but those of the other side are not? Can their evil justify our evil?

Humane behaviour by governments in so-called advanced societies is only near-impossible now because of the way most people currently think.

Human Needs and War

Violence is profoundly anti-human, and war is a horrific organization of anti-human sentiments. It involves demonising others, killing the innocent, damaging the bodies and souls of the combatants, and devastating property.

One of the deepest needs of humanity is to be humane. This means resolving inevitable differences and conflicts by peaceful methods.

ClosedPeople are Humane, Governments are Not

Most people do not glorify violence and want to live in peace, so the political task accepted by national leaders is war-mongering—making people hate and turning a significant number of them into killing machines.

Herman Goering at Nuremberg said what every politician knows and what most people do not want to think:Closed “Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” 

Originally posted: July 2009; Last updated: 12 June 2014.