Earth is But One Country
by
J. Huddleston
8 Paragraphs

Though some political systems are more civilized and responsive to man's needs than others, the very fact that discontent is so widespread suggests that all systems have in common some major defects.. (16:2)

First, the political system relies far too much.. on individual leaders.. Even the best motivated of men become confused.. between their own personal interests and that of those whom they supposedly serve.. (16:3)

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." (Lord Acton - The Penguin Dictionary of Quotations) (16:4)

The second.. defect in the political system is.. the inevitability of factionalism. In politics the main goal is to.. seize the reins of government as soon as possible. To do this.. build up a coalition of.. existing social groups.. to lever.. into power.. not.. into a united force for justice.. the way to obtain power is to play on the differences in society.. How often have we witnessed politicians inflaming grievances.. to serve their own ends.. (16:6)

When power is obtained, the political leader will have to pay the necessary price to those groups who helped him to power.. Top positions.. will be given out on this basis.. (not on) ability, integrity or dedication.. In democratic countries what matters is whether.. a policy can be.. sold to the electorate.. The result.. is that it is those needing the assistance of the state.. who suffer most at its hands.... (17:1)

Many who are repelled by.. politics believe that the answer lies in violent revolution. History has shown that they follow an illusion. The old basic defects of the system remain.. with.. even more arrogant.. politicians. (17:3)

..others.. believe that perhaps the world could be put right if only governments were placed in the hands of experts.. However, experts are every bit as prone to the vices of the political process as anyone else.. (18:1)

..A third and most critical flaw.. is that the political system is based on the national state.. the major problems which we now have to face are world-wide in their scope, and they require world-wide answers. The fractional interests of political parties which are so damaging within an individual nation become even more so when placed in the context of a world society. (18:2)

End of Quote

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