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

• fundamental idea about leadership: 'with power must come wisdom'
  • check connection between Guan Zhong, Confucius and Plato. this point is crucial if we concider that plato and his ideas on democracy are the foundation for our understanding of democracy. if he made a connection between power and wisdom a whole lot of questions arises and will make it easier to show why the current system is out of order and in a state of chaos
• elaborate on the importants for us as humanity, but also for us as individuals to understand and become aware of who we are within the big picture
• establish the notion of an universal truth.
• Nothing to be gained through deception - need to show how we are currently deceiving - References in 'The Corporation'

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 and how do we get from here and now to there and then?

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
• implementation first part of section 3, transition part 2 - parallel development expresses how this transition happens
• implementation part starts with historic part and then goes through different examples existing one and imaginary ones
• parallel and 'step-by-step' model for transition. current system is moving aspects and organisations into the new way - new form of revolution which became possible because of inet, worldwide com wasn't possible before that
• inet and web offers examples of new ways of working together and operating organisations which still need to be integrated on a broader level of society; currently no major corporate or governmental institution operates in accordance with those new forms of organisation and cooperation
• need for organisational systems that people use and get beyond current business model of deception and profit
• implementation section shows how section two(philosophy) is represented in organisations, business, etc.
• examples for the new way: skype, wikipedia, 'farm', open source development
• show how new developments interconnect - platform development, peer-to-peer, peer based organisation
• list source(s) for given examples?
• express benefits of peer based and co-op instead of competitive

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.(emphasise the benefit for all of parallel development?)