Martin LeFevre: A Workable Global Polity, P. Three

The insight of a Global Polity of world citizens in the evolutionary birthplace of humankind began with a correspondence with the late Kenyan philosopher Odera Oruka. In 1992, we agreed that the UN framework would prove increasingly inadequate, and that a new philosophical foundation and an authentically global body were needed.

Engaging people in dialogue beginning from what I thought were these self-evident premises has proven difficult. For example, I was asked recently, rather than form a Global Polity Assembly in Kenya, why not just start the psychological revolution all over the world?

The underlying premise of this person's question is correct‹a shift in fundamental attitudes needs to occur first, in people all over the world. Clearly, without a revolution in human consciousness, the disastrous course of human kind will not change.

But a body of world citizens is necessary to give political expression to this psychological revolution, as well as to catalyze it. Activists believe they have to work within the framework of national governments and international institutions. But we only need to work with them, under a new philosophy and framework.

The implicit argument, 'if it's not working at the local and national level, it cannot work at the global level,' is based on an erroneous premise. Coherence and effectiveness flow from the whole to the parts, not from the parts to the whole.

Therefore, though a radical shift in consciousness all over the world is indeed the first thing, humankind will still require a new body--ecologically, politically, and economically--to make the transition to a minimally sustainable, just, and harmonious global society.

People in every country know that business as usual cannot continue for much longer. For one thing, America, Œthe sole remaining superpower, is collapsing, leaving a dangerous vacuum of leadership in the world.

Questioning with others, while holding beliefs, opinions, and traditions in abeyance, is what is essential. Only then can the insight and intelligence essential to meet the human crisis reach critical mass.

The darkness in collective consciousness that wants to destroy the human spiritual and socio-political potential is part of human consciousness, not supernaturally separate from it. Evil has intentionality, and its goal is the complete destruction of the human spirit. However, darkness is part of all of us, and collective darkness (that is, evil) is the impacted unintelligence of human consciousness.

That is why running away from darkness, inwardly or outwardly, only allows evil to grow. Evil is man-made, and if one faces darkness and fear within oneself, there is no reason to fear it beyond oneself.

Is a worldwide psychological revolution imminent? Perhaps, but an effective global polity will still require foresight and preparation. The psychological revolution, when it occurs, won¹t just spontaneously manifest a body of people‹a Global Polity Assembly.

To make it through this perilous transition, humankind needs a unified voice of great moral suasion, bringing practical political insights into national and international structures and institutions. For many reasons (evolutionary, ecological, economic, ethnic, and ethical), the obvious choice for giving physical expression to a Global Polity is East Africa, where modern humans first emerged.

A Global Polity Assembly must eschew power in perpetuity. However, genuinely spiritual people who have a gift for politics can develop an effective political strategy with regard to the realities of international economic and political power.

How will a GP work? Somewhat like traditional tribal councils, which Aboriginal Peoples around the world still utilize. New technologies are exponentially increasing worldwide communication and interconnection. However, the tactic of divide and conquer must be overcome by the strategy of unify and prevail.

Marginalized and disempowered people are not going to be given a voice by the powers that be, and it is folly to continue to seek fairness and justice within the existing frameworks of national and international structures. World citizens urgently need an effective voice--a Global Polity Assembly‹constituted by people from all facets of civil society-Indigenous Peoples, scientists, teachers, artists, and even progressive business people.

As America collapses and the old order crumbles, a Global Polity Assembly in Kenya will fill the vacuum of ethics and leadership in the global society's political culture, providing insight and guidance for the enormous challenges facing humankind.

- Martin LeFevre is a contemplative, and non-academic religious and political philosopher. He has been publishing in North America, Latin America, Africa, and Europe (and now New Zealand) for 20 years. Email: martinlefevre @sbcglobal.net. The author welcomes comments.

© Scoop Media