We can create a classless society in which citizens enjoy academic study, philosophical thinking, meditation, and voluntary simplicity over conspicuous consumption and mindless TV watching. The new society could be characterized by local, organic and composted, food production in front yards and backyards--local self-determination, undergirded by a modern type of tribalism. But the democratic voice of the people may choose a more regulated type of capitalism with a greater focus on individualism--even after the empowerment of the seven largest national political parties.
Advocating neighborhood control of neighborhood schools, to the extent the author has advocated it, is unprecedented. No other educational philosopher has ever recommended it. Even the first public schools had elements of top-down control. But just because it has never been tried does not mean it can never work. We need the courage and flexibility to try new things, and also the humility to admit it when we are wrong.
With so much diversity, can there be unity and peace in the world? There can be unity and peace, and even happiness in the world, in spite of all the diversity. But, to achieve it--we each must find a way--through meditation, prayer, daily attitude, selfless service, or a combination of these things--to be joyful and also loving and kind in our interpersonal relationships.
But more than this is required: As responsible citizens, we must consider it our civic duty to maximize democracy within our society and do the things that promote world peace and ecological wisdom. It is better to think of what is best for the world and the planet than only what is best for one's self and country. Democracy, of course, can only work if the citizens are well educated.
In the second and third essays of this series, the author picks 7 well-known political parties to explain how proportional representation works. Though the author's liberal political bias can be easily discerned in these essays, it is hard to say how the national political gestalt would be expressed if the 7 largest national political parties had the same public exposure and finances as the current Republicans and Democrats.
At different times in my life, I have identified with the Christian fundamentalists and liberal Christians, especially those that support Liberation Theology. Cutting edge, New Age books--such as One Mind: How Our Individual Mind is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters by Larry Dossey, M.D.--are also very interesting to me. And, of course, having some of the skepticism provided by left-brained, linear, rational, and scientific materialists can also be healthy. In my search for truth, I have also identified with the Libertarian and Constitution Parties and various Socialist, Green, Communist, and Anarchists political positions. In my 43 years of voting, sometimes I did not even vote, but I have voted Republican and Democratic--a few times each. Perhaps it is because I have been sympathetic, at one time or another, to so many different viewpoints, that I advocate a live-and-let-live philosophy that would create decentralized public schools and tribal neighborhood school districts.
A democratic world government that divides the world map into 500 rectangles, or 500 legislative districts of equal population, is also recommended. But since it would be built from the bottom-up through a democratic process, such a government could be dismantled just as easily as it could be assembled, according to the democratic will of planetary citizens. This democratic world government would be nothing like the fancied or imminent New World Order that every citizen should fear and resist--if ever the wealthiest one percent should attempt to decimate millions of people and create a two-tiered system with a few elitists having dictatorial control over the required number of serfs they need.
We should not just vaguely pray and long for world peace. We should work and strive for it with a specific vision and plan of action for achieving it. As mentioned at the beginning, if most people believe that the ideas and values shared in this essay are utopian and far-fetched, then they will be. But, on the other hand, if an ever-increasing number of people accept, share, and promote these ideas or similar ones--the vision will eventually become a reality.
The highest form of individual achievement is that which promotes the common good. Regarding the perennial questions of life, I haven't met anyone who has absolute certainty and proof about such matters, but it is noble to keep seeking better answers to the important questions. The perennial questions are part of the mystery of life.
Roger Copple is 64 years old. He retired 4 years ago in 2010 from teaching general elementary, mostly 3rd grade, and middle- and high-school special education in Indianapolis. He now lives in Bradenton, Florida. Right after waking up, Roger walks outside for almost 40 minutes every morning. He is a voracious reader of website articles and books. Sometimes he plays chess and tennis. He also does insight meditation for a few minutes a day. Roger grew up in a United Pentecostal Church family and remembers going to church 4 times a week. His parents have always voted Republican. Roger's roger.copple|AT|gmail.com website: www.NowSaveTheWorld.com
(Article changed on August 19, 2014 at 11:05)
(Article changed on August 19, 2014 at 11:10)
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