Russia and Ukraine

[HappySkeptic]

I think that everyone, except for me & my idealists, are just plain nuts.  The whole Ukrainian affair is why our World needs a One World Government, whose principal power lies in a democratically elected Parliament with a World Court.  In my scheme, the World Prime Minister would be the administrative head of all governmental agencies, with the real power being with the Parliament.  The Prime Minister could, at any time, be subject to a Vote of No Confidence.

The alternative is, someday, global thermonuclear war.  Hopefully, enough humans will survive the environmental calamity to start things over, at least before the next war.

So, because of your fear, you would subjugate all nations, with limited shared history or culture, under the rule of some democratically-elected demagogue?

A world government would only work if it had the sole power of military might.  All nations would have to disarm and give control to this body.

What happens when a fascist gets elected?  Or how about a communist?  What happens when some group of generals decide its time for a military coup?  No-one is going to have "loyalty" to this world government.  It takes generations to lay down the propaganda and myths whereby people internalize this government as their own.

The more concentrated the power, the more opportunity for abuse.  This is about the only thing libertarians are right about.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I'll make a (extremely sad) prediction for you -- in the next month, Russia will utilize tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

I doubt it will come to that. I'm pretty sure the Chinese and Indians who are, after all, financing the ongoing war with their illicit oil purchases, will not stand for that and use the power of the purse to that end.

[Jehanne]

I think that everyone, except for me & my idealists, are just plain nuts.  The whole Ukrainian affair is why our World needs a One World Government, whose principal power lies in a democratically elected Parliament with a World Court.  In my scheme, the World Prime Minister would be the administrative head of all governmental agencies, with the real power being with the Parliament.  The Prime Minister could, at any time, be subject to a Vote of No Confidence.

The alternative is, someday, global thermonuclear war.  Hopefully, enough humans will survive the environmental calamity to start things over, at least before the next war.

So, because of your fear, you would subjugate all nations, with limited shared history or culture, under the rule of some democratically-elected demagogue?

A world government would only work if it had the sole power of military might.  All nations would have to disarm and give control to this body.

What happens when a fascist gets elected?  Or how about a communist?  What happens when some group of generals decide its time for a military coup?  No-one is going to have "loyalty" to this world government.  It takes generations to lay down the propaganda and myths whereby people internalize this government as their own.

The more concentrated the power, the more opportunity for abuse.  This is about the only thing libertarians are right about.

The power would lie with the democratically elected Parliament. Parliamentary elections would occur every two years, or, whenever there was a Vote of No Confidence. In addition, I believe that all votes should be cast in secret, but, after the election, should be made publicly known.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

So, because of your fear, you would subjugate all nations, with limited shared history or culture, under the rule of some democratically-elected demagogue?

A world government would only work if it had the sole power of military might.  All nations would have to disarm and give control to this body.

What happens when a fascist gets elected?  Or how about a communist?  What happens when some group of generals decide its time for a military coup?  No-one is going to have "loyalty" to this world government.  It takes generations to lay down the propaganda and myths whereby people internalize this government as their own.

The more concentrated the power, the more opportunity for abuse.  This is about the only thing libertarians are right about.

The power would lie with the democratically elected Parliament.  Parliamentary elections would occur every two years, or, whenever there was a Vote of No Confidence.  In addition, I believe that all votes should be cast in secret, but, after the election, should be made publicly known.

What a convenient way to murder the political opposition!

Boru

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

START I expired in 2009, START II never was ratified by the US Senate.

Also, regarding one-world government being the only alternative to global thermonuclear war, that strikes me as a bit of a false dichotomy.

I'll make a (extremely sad) prediction for you -- in the next month, Russia will utilize tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Care to put money on that?

Boru

[Jehanne]

The power would lie with the democratically elected Parliament.  Parliamentary elections would occur every two years, or, whenever there was a Vote of No Confidence.  In addition, I believe that all votes should be cast in secret, but, after the election, should be made publicly known.

What a convenient way to murder the political opposition!

Boru

How so? Why should not everyone's vote be publicly known??

[Jehanne]

I'll make a (extremely sad) prediction for you -- in the next month, Russia will utilize tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Care to put money on that?

Boru

No.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

What a convenient way to murder the political opposition!

Boru

How so?  Why should not everyone's vote be publicly known??

To keep the opposition from being murdered, intimidated or blackmailed (it also helps to forestall vote buying). This is why the concept of the secret ballot came about in the first place.

Boru

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Care to put money on that?

Boru

No.

Really? I’m pretty confident that I can cover any wager you’d care to place.

Boru

[Jehanne]

No.

Really? I’m pretty confident that I can cover any wager you’d care to place.

Boru

Only a psychopath would do such a thing, let alone even contemplate such a horrific act. I can't believe that you would suggest such of me.

I despise war and violence of any kind. Hoping for such a horrific outcome is beyond despicable.