Matthew Knott

Whenever anyone asked Captain Kirk, "Where do you come from", he didn't say Kansas, or even America, he said Earth. In Gene Roddenberry's future, Earth was ruled by a central government, and as with many things this is another idea of the Star Trek world that will almost certainly come to pass, for no other reason than the survival of the human race.

Already, we're willing to go to war over oil, and with the food crisis growing, how long until we're going to war over food, and other raw materials.

The concept of world government will be resisted with many a dying breath, probably literally. Would you, as your nations leader, just succumb to rule from a higher power? Unlikely, but however you look at it, a single world ruling body is a logical outcome and solution to the worlds problems.

Resources

Under a single government, wealth and resources would no longer be hoarded and coveted by the the superpowers. The standard of living in areas such as Ethiopia would improve dramatically. Also as previously mentioned, the need to go and fight for resources would be removed. Armed forces and military assets would gradually be needed less, the last thing that any nation would want is to go to war with every other nation on the planet. Military expenditure being reduced means more money to invest in technologies that improve quality of life.

Science and Medicine

With the worlds scientists working together, advances in science and medical care would improve greatly. Huge advances could be made by a concentrated research effort in a fraction of the time it would take multiple independent teams of scientists. Research into alternative fuels and cancer treatment would be two of the areas that require this approach to ensure to continued existence of mankind.

Aid and Disaster

The ability to cope with natural disasters is another powerful benefit of a unified government. As we've seen recently with Burma, political barriers can be harder to overcome that physical ones. 

So often it's the poorest nations that suffer the most, mainly through the poor quality of their buildings. If their homes were constructed using know-how prevalent in other parts of the world, the death toll could be cut dramatically in earthquake hotspots.

Single Currency

Another area that would be hard fought globally is the adoption of a single global currency. This would actually simplify trade and travel greatly, bringing financial stability across the globe.

A single currency has already been successfully implemented across many countries within europe with a high degree of success. Britain's delay in adopting the Euro does lend a strong indication that it would be one of those nations most resistant to a single government and single world currency.

Building Community

Emigration / Immigration add variety to communities around the globe. America is a nation built almost entirely from immigrants from around the globe.

Reasons for emigrating are varied, some leave home because of war or conflict, others based on lifestyle, but an increasing problem, especially in poorer countries, is the emigration of skilled workers, particularly doctors and general medical staff, and scientists.

The loss of these key personnel can severely impact a countries development and the quality of life of its citizens. Under a single government, the pay could be equalised globally meaning that doctors can move around globally more easily, but are less likely to be forced into moving away from their home nations.

Resistance

As previously mentioned, there would be strong resistance from many nations, those who protect their borders fiercely, such as North Korea, would resort to violence before succumbing to a single government.

It’s likely that the formation of the one government would have to continue without these nations initially, and ultimately force them into coalition through sanctions and trade embargos. This would be an undesirable path, but is a valid alternative to violence.

Ultimately, with the way the world is changing, the populations of these isolated nations would throw down the shackles of their oppressive leadership and force them into the one government structure.

Another side effect of unification will be the reduction of cultural identity. The loss of a nations currency for example would be a major dent in its identity. Language would also slowly reduce to just english as a first language, the change is inevitable. On the flip side, lower emigration rates would help build the cultural identity.

I think this is the biggest thing that will happen in the next few years, and will signal a new age of man, with technological and social evolution proceeding at a never before seen pace.

• Politics

Comments

• viva le revolution, posted by MathewSometimes I wonder whether you are developing some philosophical model for reviewing the world and other times I see you as a megalomaniac with a disollusioned and quite frightening taint on how the world should be. I dont completely disagree with you, but read on ....
  The reason I mention this is if you look at man's history and potential future we have not done much to be really proud of, not even climbing down from the trees. I dont rate the xbox or iphone or any technology as a real progression no more than using a stick to knock fruit from higher branches.
  
  If we look towards Gene Roddenberry's Prime Directive in not interfering where would we be - in harmony with nature and ourselves ? Maybe not, but where would we be?
  
  
• Actually..., posted by MatthewI'm a control freak. I think there are only two ways will well get global harmony, and that is to control, to the point where freedom of choice is removed, but that will end in tears, or to mix everyone up, get them reproducing and soon everybody will be mixed race and there will be a big party.

Add a comment