World Government

If a World Government is to work smoothly, certain economic conditions will have to be fulfilled. One of these, which is beginning to receive widespread recognition, is the raising of the standard of life in what are now under-developed countries to the level with prevails among the most prosperous populations of the West. Until a certain economic equality among the different parts of the world has been achieved, the poorer nations will envy the richer ones, and the richer ones will dread violent action on the part of those who are less prosperous.

But this is not the most difficult economic measure that may be necessary. Various raw materials are essential to industry. Of these, at present, oil is one of the most important. Probably uranium, though no longer needed for purpose of war, will be essential for the industrial use of nuclear energy, There is no justice in the private ownership of such essential raw materials - and I think we must include in undesirable private ownership, not only that by individuals or companies, but also that by separate states. The raw materials without which industry is impossible should belong to the International Authority and be granted to separate nations in accordance with the two principles of-justice and aptitude for their use. Nations which are lacking in this aptitude should be helped to acquire it.

In a stable world such as we are envisaging, there could be in many ways a great deal more freedom than there is at present. There would, however, be some new limitations on freedom, since it would be necessary to inculcate loyalty to the International Government and to curb incitements to war by single nations or groups of nations. Subject to this limitation, there should be freedom of the Press, freedom of speech, and freedom of travel. There should be very radical change in education. The young should no longer be taught to over-emphasize the merits of their own countries, to feel pride in those of their compatriots who had shown most skill in killing foreigners, or to adopt Mr. Podsnap's maxim: 'Foreign nations, I am sorry to say, do as they do'. History should be taught from an international point of view with little emphasis on wars and much emphasis upon peaceful achievements, whether in knowledge or art, or in exploration or adventure. The education authorities of a single country should not be permitted by the International Government to stir up chauvinist feeling or to advocate armed rebellion against the International Government. Apart from these limitations, there should be a much greater freedom in education than there is at present. Unpopular opinions, unless they were such as to cause a danger of war, should be tolerated in teachers. The whole emphasis, in all teaching of history or social subjects, should be on Man and not on separate nations or groups of nations.