Living Together Research Proposal

"Living Together" is a research project which will address the following question:

On planet Earth, can we live as one human race (or family) in peace, equality and prosperity?

This overarching question is sub-divided into the the following lines of inquiry:

World Government

Can peace be achieved through world government, and if so, how would it operate and how would it be structured?

The paper will begin with an overview of current theories regarding a world government based on a centralised institution given a mandate by existing nation-states. The assumption that our current socio-economic structures (centralised decision-making, competitive market model, representative democracy) are a sound foundation for a peaceful and just world government will be questioned. If the existing nation-states are not a sound basis for world government, how else could the world government be given a mandate? Which resource distribution, governance systems and forms of organisation would be required? We will establish the notion that strong local governmental structures and further to that the development/empowerment/well-being of individuals are important as a basis for world government.

In the course of making this point, the following issues will be addressed: How can local governance be realised in a way that is scalable to a global level? How can sustainability be addressed? Can there be a unified framework which leads to the integration of economic, social and political goals? Is it worthwhile to distinguish between "global" in the sense of "whole" and world government? To conclude the first section, the importance of philosophical foundations underpinning any system of government will be addressed. Is it even possible, considering the great diversity of cultures and beliefs, to make such a system work?

Philosophical Foundation

Within cultural diversity, can common values be found which can serve as a foundation for a system which supports the unfolding of individual human potential in a way that benefits society?

Notes

Universal values and cultural value

Unity is an underlying feeling or values foundation, however cultural values in combination with the political construct of nation-states lead to an emphasis of what separates us, often leading to alienation and conflict. However, at the core of the philosophical foundations of most cultures lies an acknowledgement of certain universal values which go beyond culture. The Golden Rule for instance is referenced by the Old Testament, I Ching, and other ancient scriptures. A summary of universal principles based on fundamental teachings of philosophical and spiritual movements (Buddhist, Taoist, Muslim, Christian, Jewish) will be provided. The adoption of said universal principles allow the individual to understand what we humans have in common and develop a global consciousness.

Regarding the relationship of individuals with society

The goal is a system which supports the unfolding of unique, individual human potential in a way that benefits society. It will be discussed how this issue relates to the question posed by the paper and how it could be addressed.

Implementation and Transition

Having discussed the philosophy and systems required, how do these things get implemented in the context of current society

Notes

• Discussing the benefits of parallel implementation for both ways. Sustainability - social, environmental and economic
• Discussing platforms and sanctuaries using established terms, such as co-working groups, urban communities, social and business networks
• Discussing existing groups and current achievements, point to further synergies and potential connections

Parallel development

In this section the philosophical and structural ideas are unified for their practical implementation. The trend of progressive alignment of people who already have a global consciousness through various forms of cooperation and organisation leading to the development of global culture within the nation-states and world wide. Introducing platform organisations (better cooperative organisations?) and sanctuaries for economic sustainability(first aspect?), networks for travel, trade, knowledge exchange. Integration and higher levels of governance will arise from this network in parallel with existing socio-economic systems.(empahasise the benefit for all of parallel development?)

Conclusion

The recommendations will point to the implementation of certain principles and the development or refinement of certain tools in order to move toward the scenario described in the introduction. The recommendations will also seek to emphasize what certain existing movements or organisations which are working toward a unified and peaceful world, have in common, allowing said groups to see common ground and develop synergy. The wiki and open source software movement as well as people's movements around the world will be referenced. The recommendations will be written in such a way that they can be used as a platform for the support and development of aligned projects.