World Government - Utopian Dream or Current Reality? Vol. 2, Lessons of History: The United States and the European Union

This book assumes that the world is moving inexorably, if in fits and starts, toward union. It explores the implications for all global citizens, and posits that, to succeed, it will be predicated upon a general disarmament and a broad adoption of the principles of Representative Democracy, which would require a meaningful liberal education is necessary to prepare individuals for their role as politically, economically, and socially informed citizens.

As globalization gains speed and as its benefits and also its costs become more apparent, the author sketches out some of the conditions that could, eventually, make for a better life for all. The author follows the evolution of the political system of the US, in particular analyzing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, to trace how and when the rights of the general government, States' rights, and individual rights were addressed, and he draws comparisons to the way the United Nations and the European Union have handled questions of national sovereignty vs. collective rights and obligations on the one hand, and human rights on the other.

Volume 1 of World Government set forth the underlying principles used to establish the United States in the late 18th Century and argued that these principles are still viable in today's world. Volume 2 attempts to extend the principles set forth in Volume I into the modern environment.

Volume 2 looks at some of the major problems faced by the United States during its historical evolution. It shows that an effective world government would likely face many, if not all, of the same problems. This work, however, challenges whether or not the solutions actually adopted by the United States to resolve these problems would also be effective in the case of a world government.