yuval noah harari’s book sapiens outlines the course of human history. humans, unlike other animals, succeeded in dominating the world due their unique social abilities. while other primates-apes or chimpanzees- are able to form groups, perhaps up to fifty, humans have been able to organize in large numbers. human’s ability to both communicate and interact with strangers have been keys to this expansion.
humanity, over time, has employed various means to bring masses under one tent. trade, religion and politics-as well as other devices- have allowed for millions upon millions of people to interact, trade and live together. author harari’s sapien’s posits that human organizations are continuing to consolidate and the world is getting smaller. with concepts such as imperialism, nations now exist in cooperation under one umbrella. the present reality arguably has two systems at play- western civilization- rooted in capitalism and democracy- and communism.
what are the consequences assuming that humanity consolidates to one entity?
with one organization, self-interest remains a problem. personal enrichment for one’s self and financial gain for their powerful supporters will take footing on a global level. personal ideology of those in control may wish to shape the world in their image. those enjoying this immense power may adopt any ideology necessary to maintain the position of power. finally, those in power may may make mistakes and miscalculations. these, due to the consolidation of power, can be fatal with respect to humanity. in essence, many factors complicate any assertion that the leaders under such a system would be both benevolent and competent.
in contrast, the united states was uniquely created to have both national and local governance. local governance allowed for experimentation as to the rule of law. states were allowed to try different courses of ruling for the betterment of their citizens. it offered a laboratory of ideals.
with respect to god, he expressed his world vision within the torah. god, in genesis 12:2-3, makes abraham to be a father of a nation. abraham – because of his values- will be a blessing to all of the world. other nations will be blessed by blessing him and cursed by cursing him. in essence, the master of the universe connects nations by central values. the values of justice, righteousness, and hospitality are transmitted to the world via delegation. moving forward from abraham, this vision led to the creation of a nation out of the children of israel. with this vision, the eternal book of moral instruction, the torah, was provided to the world.
as we move forward through history, will the world be shaped by eternal values or by something else? ever increasingly, humanity’s acceptance social driven agendas have compromised notions of equality and reality. societal factions seek to divorce parents from the raising of their children. they seek to criminalize speech, or mis-speech, triggering arrest, loss of employment or expulsion from school. ever so increasingly, there is a orwellian agenda to make some people more equal than others.
how will the humanity’s next chapter unfold? will it be one with a ruling class that is agenda driven or with self interest that exacts itself in a totalitarian fashion? [note: we have all recently experienced world governments’ covid-19 response. false narratives can be promulgated to justify shutting down businesses, education, religious practices, and civil rights.]
if one cares about humanity, one must be concerned with our trajectory. should humanity move forward on the principles of righteousness, justice and hospitality towards others. or, should humanity move forward in fascist-like fashion and install those who in charge who wish to re-shape society with their personal vision.
be well!!
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