Growth Online > Knowledge Base > Society's Growth  > World Security World Security by Roy Posner and MSS Introduction to Page Resolving Conflicts in the World Demilitarization of the World World Army/Global Rapid Reaction Force Causes of and Solutions to Terrorism Definitions, et al of Terrorism Energy Absorption and Terrorism Terrorism and Poverty Fundamentalism, Poverty, and Terrorism Diplomatic Insincerity and Terrorism The End of Cold War, Military Disengagement and Terrorism Military Solutions to Terrorism Additional   INTRODUCTION TO PAGE (top)   In this section of the Growth Online Knowledge Base, we present our original thoughts, as well as links to our original articles on the Society's Growth topic of "World Security." (If you wish, you can see our other Society's Growth categories.)   The entries you see below on World Security include the discussion of wasteful military spending since the end of the Cold War, the need for demilitarization replaced with efforts at prosperity for all, the need for world army or global rapid reaction force to maintain global security, and the causes of and solutions for world terrorism.   Resolving Conflicts in the World (top)   Economic Solution Solve Political Issues That political issues lend themselves to economic resolutions is well known, even if not honoured in practice. (MSS) Economic Solutions Economic solutions can resolve the problems in Ireland, Kashmir, the Arab-Israeli conflict, terrorism, etc. etc. Military Solution is for Previous Centuries A military solution belongs not to the previous century but to the 19th century.  (MSS) How Ireland's Prosperity is Example of Solving World's Conflicts through Higher Prosperity What happened in Ireland in the last 20 years has a great lesson for all those who are involved in conflict resolution. Of course, this lesson is nothing new to the world, but it remains a lesson the world has not learnt till today. That was an experience the USA had in the 18th and 19th centuries. Even in the 20th century, the USA has been ’demonstrating’ that same lesson to the world. Neither has the world learnt it nor is the USA aware of it. Twenty years ago, the per capita GDP of Ireland was far below that of UK. Now Ireland’s GDP is exceeds that of the UK. It is significant that during the same period, violence came down, from over 400 deaths annually to just five. When economic opportunities open up, Man has no time or energy for religious conflict, i.e. economics goes deeper into man’s existence than what he believes to be his religious conviction. If ethnic conflicts are to acquire life and virulence, it should be in USA, because it is there we find a great number of dynamic ethnic minorities, but the USA is more free from ethnic conflicts than elsewhere. To avail of economic opportunities, Man needs enormous effort and corresponding energies, which spare no energy for a quarrel of any description. The USA is a standing example for this rule. Ireland recently passed through the same experience. To solve military conflicts politically was a longstanding rule in history. To solve political conflicts by economic strategies is not used in the same measure. Nixon opened up the Chinese market to the USA and now a war between the two countries is unthinkable. There are higher solutions for the world’s conflicts such as cultural and spiritual, but there are no serious conflicts in the world today for one to resort to those higher powers. All the existing conflicts can be solved by an economic approach. Our Theory of Social Evolution declares this. Cultural approaches are powerful. It will be very useful if moves are made for a World Union. Spiritual strategies will be capable of bringing about a solid human unity once the world union is established. Taking out twenty or thirty articles on these related topics from the Internet, we find scholars offering an array of details about every issue relevant. I do not find such a view as above even receiving their consideration. It is here that the Indian leadership can contribute. (MSS) Ireland's Prosperity Can Solve Problems Like the Arab-Israeli Conflict Ireland was known as the sick man of Europe. All these centuries she was poorer than the poorest European country. Her mainstay was agriculture and the main crop was potato. The potato famine decimated the population. There were mass migrations to Australia, Africa and especially to America. She was poor, not as we know poverty, but by the standards of Europe. In the sixties, her per capita income was $10,000 while we were below $200. She was dominated and humiliated by Britain. Britain, who was fair to many of her colonies, was markedly unfair to Ireland. Ireland was an insoluble problem in the UK during the 16th to 20th centuries. Home Rule was a deception. In 1921, Ireland became a Republic, but, as we lost Kashmir, they lost Ulster. The Irish Revolutionary Army, IRA, became a hotbed of terrorism. Lord Mountbatten fell to their explosion. They aimed to destroy the entire British Cabinet while they were in session. Human wisdom says the solution to a problem is inbuilt into it. If the leaders are myopic, no solution will issue. That political issues lend themselves to economic resolutions is well known, even if not honoured in practice. The column opposite to the editorial in The New York Times is of value and is syndicated to various newspapers all over the world. Recently there was an article on Ireland. The sick man of Europe is now richer than Britain, her age-old rival, France and Germany, traditionally rich European nations. The writer says it was achieved by free higher education, low taxes, and generous invitation to foreign capital. This is not only a solution for Ireland. The problem of Kashmir can be solved thus. In one Nehru Memorial Lecture those ideas were spelt out a few years ago. It is also the solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. In fact, all the inter-state or intra-state conflicts like LTTE can thus be solved. A military solution belongs not to the previous century but to the 19th century. In Ireland no one administered the solution. It happened by itself. Sri Aurobindo said in 1925 that He could accomplish EXACTLY what He wanted to accomplish in Ireland and Turkey. He did not explain any further. I feel like congratulating The New York Times columnist but would like to add that the theoretical lesson of that experience should be drawn and applied elsewhere. This view of an economic solution of political conflict is one of the principles of the Theory of Social Evolution framed from the yogic philosophy of Sri Aurobindo. (MSS) Irish Prosperity -Ireland's advice is very simple: Make high school and college education free; make your corporate taxes low, simple and transparent; actively seek out global companies; open your economy to competition; speak English; keep your fiscal house in order; and build a consensus around the whole package with labor and management - then hang in there, because there will be bumps in the road - and you, too, can become one of the richest countries in Europe -I recently spent time in Ireland, which has quietly become the second-richest country in the E.U., first by going through some severe belt-tightening in which everyone had to sacrifice, then by following that with a plan to upgrade the education of its entire work force, and a strategy to recruit and induce as many global high-tech companies and researchers as possible to locate in Ireland. The Irish have a plan. They are focused. They have mobilized business, labor and government around a common agenda. They are playing offense. (Thomas Friedman, NY Times)     Demilitarization of the World (top) Status of Militarization   Stock Pile of Weapons Compels Its Use The stock pile of weapons (e.g. nuclear weapons) has a power to compel people to use it. (MSS)   Weapons of Atomic Energy as Crime Against Humanity To utilize the higher for a lower purpose is a crime against humanity, just as releasing atomic energy for the destruction of the population. (MSS)   Atomic Bombs are a Greater Evil than War and Must Be Abolished; End of Ego Abolishes Such Evil Now that the wars are over and humanity is lucky enough or maybe wise enough to avoid the Third World War, the approaching 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan is an opportunity to think of the future. War is evil. The atom bomb is a greater evil. The greater evil helped to end the rule of the lesser evil. The stockpile of nuclear bombs threatening the world is the greatest of evils. Disarmament is proceeding at the level of positive decisions, decisions not to use the weapons. The existing bombs must be dismantled. Also, there are other weapons equally dangerous, such as chemical or biological weapons. It is a great thing to destroy one form of evil. Still, it can sprout as another form of Evil. Will evil disappear after humankind ceases to produce these lethal weapons? Evil lies in the human heart, at its very bottom. Evil is in Nature as the tiger’s ferocity and the destruction of an earthquake. Before trying to abolish evil from Nature or human nature, one needs to understand what evil is. Religions or philosophies have not been hopeful of abolishing the fundamental evil. They advised mankind to avoid evil. Sri Aurobindo says there is no evil in creation and there is evil only to the experience of the ego. When man abolishes his ego, there will be no evil in his view or his experience. Leaders of thought in religion, philosophy, and science should address this issue in the light of the rich experiences of the twentieth century. (MSS) Merchants of Death In the fine French film Persepolis, a little girl grows up in Tehran amidst vast changes in her country. First, the Shah comes into power, then he is disposed, then the religious government emerges, and then there is a terrible war between her nation Iran and rival Iraq. Often her family find themselves hunkering down during Saddam's air raids. At one point in this animated film, the little girl almost casually says that the West is supplying both sides of the Iran-Iraq War with arms. They do not care about the destruction they are wreaking on their countries. The same dynamic was occurring throughout Africa and other conflicted regions of the world. Every one of these nations became the victims of the evil perpetrated by the Merchants of Death. America will do nearly anything in the name of profit. Great Britain when she oversaw an Empire where the sun never set would do anything to expand trade. Other nations in Europe from Germany to the Czechs to Russia were not much different. Unfortunately, in these situations there is little concern about the aftermath of these transactions, only the quantity of weaponry itself. The human suffering it creates is a mere afterthought. America is supposed to be the world leader, but she only has sense to be the economic leader. Her values essentially stop at that point. She may publically advocate freedom, but deeper down she is enamored with profits, which includes the transfer of arms shipments to any willing buyer. Nearly all harsh news America reports about its enemies can be traced back to its past insincere diplomatic efforts, its support of the types of leaders it publicly condemns, and for being distributors of small and sophisticated weaponry. And then she nervously calls out, “see, there are terrorists everywhere!” Is it any wonder? Let the nations of the world through new institutions agree to halt these harmful transaction. Let the world leaders embrace deeper human values, not merely economic ones. Let the superpowers take down their nuclear arsenals, lest they too are one day used against them, or their friends and allies. For after all, unintended consequences is the logical outcome of the activities of the Merchants of Death. Demilitarization and Economic Development   Reducing Military Spending, Deficit Reduction, and Economic Prosperity Since 1988, world military expenditure has fallen by about a third, $400 billion. If the current peaceful status is sustained, it could free up even more capital for investment and reducing the inflationary pressure of burgeoning government deficits. The long feared negative impact of reduced military expenditure on economic growth has been much less than anticipated. Falling defense spending has been followed by a surprisingly rapid recovery in defense-dependent states such as California and an unexpectedly long period of national economic expansion in the USA. This experience should help reduce the resistance to further cuts. (MSS)   Ending Poverty through Reduced Military Spending UNDP has calculated that $40 billion a year would be sufficient to eradicate global poverty within ten years. Yet long after the end of the Cold War and at a time when there is not even a serious potential enemy in sight, world military expenditure remains at $850 billion a year. The war is over, but a costly, wasteful, unproductive anachronism persists. (MSS)   Energy of Military Disengaged Can Only Be Absorbed by Raising the Masses The enormous energy absorbed by the military is now disengaged. It is there for us to use. Except in raising the masses, it cannot be fully absorbed. (MSS)  [I.e. As a result of the end of the Cold War a lot of energy is available to humanity. However, the only way it can be absorbed and utilized is if is used for the rising up of the masses.]   Assuring Non-Use of Weapons through Economic Gains for All Suppose the economic gains of the society are to be extended to all, the society in greater part has to develop several institutions and the individual has to acquire a host of capacities simultaneously overlooking the original rule of individual to society and again to all individuals. This is a must. Solving this challenge even in theory is a major step forward.   In the world conditions of this decade facilities of training, communications, follow up, organisational support, psychological milieu exist in enough measure to achieve this as the expectations have reached the very fringes of the society. The leadership should rise to the occasion to render this into an ordered transition without which the change will come about through chaos, breakdown, goondaraj, terrorism etc. The military stockpile will leak into the hands of the revolution completing the process. This is avoidable. The first step is Guaranteed Employment in the West, abolition of hunger in the East. (MSS)   Upward Social Mobility Defuses Conflict Opportunities for upward social mobility are known to have diffused intra-state as well as inter-state conflicts. For some reason, it has not gained the attention of the world. A study of the phenomenon will give the world a permanent solution to such conflicts and the consequent terrorism. A dynamic man who is unable to move up is a menace to the society. His moving up ensures social stability. The rule for nations as well as individuals is the same. (MSS)   Linear View of Military Strength as National Security The Mind tends to think in a linear, unidimensional manner and pursue one line of truth, ignoring other complementary sides, viewing all reality from a single viewpoint. The view that national security is only a question of military strength is an example of this. [There are of course many other factors.] (MSS)    Also See Thoughts on Recent History (WWII, The Cold War, the UN, Terrorism, etc.)   Also See How War Purges the Low Consciousness of the Nation   Foundation of Wealth & Physical Security in West and US It is noteworthy to see that the necessary foundation in wealth and physical security is abundantly laid in USA. Seen from this perspective, the history of the West, particularly that of USA, will explain itself in the light of the theory of social evolution. (MSS)   Also See Economics, Prosperity, and Money   World Army, Global Rapid Reaction Force (top) Global Rapid Reaction Force or Army A global rapid reaction force or a global army can be created to enable security in the world. Security of Global Army What we have now (2002) is a helter-skelter method of protection of the security of the world. What we need is a Global Army; a global Rapid Reaction Force to enable security for the nations of the world.   World Army The presence of an army in each country implying that the nation must be ready for war at some time is a belief that can generate subconscious tension in the people. The tension Cold War generated was palpable in the sixties and seventies. Also, the relief when Cold War ended was equally tangible. It was Robert Van Harten, the Member from Holland, who mooted the idea of a world army at Moscow at the meeting of the International Commission on Peace and Food. The Commission endorsed it. Recently, the European Union is considering the idea of one Army for all its members. It is at the stage of an idea. An idea is valuable. But people in the field have to implement it. They see all the practical issues they will face in implementing an idea. No idea is practised before it is fully prepared in all its details anticipating all the hurdles. When an idea becomes a scheme or a programme, it meets with not only obstacles but opportunities. The realities are accepted and a working scheme is prepared. In other words, an idea is organically dynamic. So its growth is organic too, not fully prepared previously. The World Army that will replace the national armies is one such dynamic idea capable of organic growth. If it ever comes into existence, it will be the world police or a Peace Army. It is worth examining again in the present context of the post-Iraq war.   Rapid Reaction Force to Terrorism -The security solution to terrorism must come internationally. -There needs to be an international force of some kind. Perhaps we can call it a World Army, or perhaps better yet a Global Rapid Reaction Force. It can go into any area and create stability, i.e. security. -There should also be a global "rapid reaction force" to end the roots of terrorism -- poverty. -Both military and social development solutions must be implemented. One without the other is unlikely to succeed.   World Army Article by Robert Van Harten (ICPD)   Thoughts on World Army   See Thoughts on Potential of World Parliament     Causes of and Solutions to Terrorism (top)   Definitions, et al of Terrorism | Energy Absorption and Terrorism | Terrorism and Poverty Fundamentalism, Poverty, and Terrorism | Diplomatic Insincerity and Terrorism The End of Cold War, Military Disengagement and Terrorism | Military Solutions to Terrorism | Additional   Definitions, et al of Terrorism Terrorism as Method of Weak Against Strong Terrorism is the method of the weak against the strong. Futility and Frustration of Terrorism In the last 500 years terrorism has been a futile means for the progress of the community. In the end it is destructive.  (Paraphrase of MSS)   Energy Absorption and Terrorism Explaining Cause of and Solution to Terrorism Violence and terrorism can be explained, and overcome. The physical, the body, in the absence of acquiring skills, demands a release for its energy. To those who are differently organized, it releases its energies as violence, including terrorism. Affluent societies on the other hand have passed this stage through culture, skills, and education. Therefore, to enable violent societies to absorb energies properly, ending poverty is the obvious solution. Education is the means to do this. To spread education to abolish poverty is the process to absorb energies, and bring skills, and culture, ending violence and terrorism.   From our side, if top men in their fields, who are not organized to the point that they are recognized popularly, come together, overcome corresponding "violent" traits in their own character, and devote themselves to the opposite vibration of Spiritual Peace, will enable that vibration to spread throughout the society.   Terrorism and Poverty Terrorism and Poverty Terrorism arises from the frustration of poverty. (MSS) Root Cause of Terrorism Terrorism is from poverty whose pride is hurt by the presence of prosperity. Religion is only an excuse. The violent burst of energy testifies to the fact that it cannot be religious which is a spring of compassion. (MSS) Remedy for Terrorism The remedy for terrorism lies in opening up the avenues of economic betterment.   Energies Unabsorbed for Productive Use Goes to Terrorism In areas of limited opportunity, energies that would otherwise go to work, career, and prosperity, is going into fighting. The unabsorbed energies of productive work are being absorbed by anguish and terror.   On Causes of Terrorism Terrorism can be explained as one stage of human development. It can be described as a direct result of dire poverty. The march of civilisation sometimes overtakes the speed with which MAN catches up with it. Another way of looking at it is this gap generates violence. (MSS)   Eradicating Terrorism Yet Not Get to Root Cause To eradicate terrorism in practice, it is enough to fully implement all the legal [security] provisions available nationally and internationally. It may give a long respite, not eliminate the root cause [which is poverty, and diplomatic insincerity]. (MSS)   Article on Roots and Solutions to Terrorism (MSS)    End of Hold of Religion Behind Terrorism through Prosperity, Education, & Enlightened Mind After the end of the Cold War, we see ferocious animosities focussed at precise undefined points in the shape of terrorist explosions. Presently the world is finding it difficult to come by a satisfying answer to this phenomenon. Marx’s description of religion as the opium of the masses deserves consideration here. Opium intoxicates in usual doses, destroys in overdoses. What is a usual dose of a drug to a cultivated mind is an overdose to a superstitious mind. Idealism for a great mind is fanaticism for a small mind. Culture is the best ingredient of Mind that makes it level headed or great. It is education that prepares the mind to receive culture. Man thinks of education when his stomach is full. Hunger prevents one from seeking education. Physical threat and insecurity can drive man so hard, that he even overlooks the claims of a half-filled stomach. Superstition forms and takes hold of people at all levels of insufficiency. There is a ’proper’ superstition to each level of maturity or immaturity. Superstition makes men fanatics. After the end of the World War, as well as the Cold War, there appears no valid reason for fighting. Still, isolated intense fights, or rather attacks are there all the time. In the absence of prosperity and education, religion does havoc to the mind through the instrumentation of superstition. Therefore, we see the power of Marx’s observation. It is a historical fact that wherever life opens prosperity, religion goes to the background. Equally, the rising enlightenment of the mind prevents religion from having an intoxicating hold on it that leads to rabid fanatical behaviour. We also see in those hotbeds of internecine conflicts - Palestine, Kashmir, Ireland - there is mass migration seeking better economic life, disregarding religious persuasions. Religion is the opium of the masses not when they are educated or prosperous. Hence the remedy for terrorism lies in opening up the avenues of economic betterment. (MSS) How Ireland's Prosperity is Example of Solving World's Conflicts through Higher Prosperity What happened in Ireland in the last 20 years has a great lesson for all those who are involved in conflict resolution. Of course, this lesson is nothing new to the world, but it remains a lesson the world has not learnt till today. That was an experience the USA had in the 18th and 19th centuries. Even in the 20th century, the USA has been ’demonstrating’ that same lesson to the world. Neither has the world learnt it nor is the USA aware of it. Twenty years ago, the per capita GDP of Ireland was far below that of UK. Now Ireland’s GDP is exceeds that of the UK. It is significant that during the same period, violence came down, from over 400 deaths annually to just five. When economic opportunities open up, Man has no time or energy for religious conflict, i.e. economics goes deeper into man’s existence than what he believes to be his religious conviction. If ethnic conflicts are to acquire life and virulence, it should be in USA, because it is there we find a great number of dynamic ethnic minorities, but the USA is more free from ethnic conflicts than elsewhere. To avail of economic opportunities, Man needs enormous effort and corresponding energies, which spare no energy for a quarrel of any description. The USA is a standing example for this rule. Ireland recently passed through the same experience. To solve military conflicts politically was a longstanding rule in history. To solve political conflicts by economic strategies is not used in the same measure. Nixon opened up the Chinese market to the USA and now a war between the two countries is unthinkable. There are higher solutions for the world’s conflicts such as cultural and spiritual, but there are no serious conflicts in the world today for one to resort to those higher powers. All the existing conflicts can be solved by an economic approach. Our Theory of Social Evolution declares this. Cultural approaches are powerful. It will be very useful if moves are made for a World Union. Spiritual strategies will be capable of bringing about a solid human unity once the world union is established. Taking out twenty or thirty articles on these related topics from the Internet, we find scholars offering an array of details about every issue relevant. I do not find such a view as above even receiving their consideration. It is here that the Indian leadership can contribute. (MSS)   Overcoming Security Concerns through Economic Cooperation in Kashmir Today's reduction of Indian troops in Kashmir seems to confirm A's view that building economic bridges and well-being amongst the parties is the best way to overcome political and military disputes. They are pulling back because of economic improvements in the area which has reduced violent acts, and hence reduced security needs. The economic improvements are due to the efforts of both sides.   Layers of the Onion in the Middle East It is said that life is like an onion. As we peel away each layer, greater truths emerge. When an event occurs -- such as 9/11 in the USA -- truth is far away, as we only know the immediate horror of the situation. Truth thus awaits us in the future. However, it can be sped up by an open mind, and rapidly descend on us through experiences of intuitions of knowledge. Let us then examine several layers of truth when it comes to the issue of terrorism. The first truth that emerged after September 11th is that we need to go after the terrorists, which we did in no small part. Other truths began to reveal themselves thereafter. For one, that there is a serious problem of Islamic fundamentalism in the Arab world, something the West ignored when it was preoccupied by the Cold War. Other truths followed, including the legitimacy of the claim of wrongdoing by the West over the Arabs for a hundred years or more. Gorbachav continually reiterates this theme of valid Arab grievance toward the West, though it has until this point fallen on deaf ears. While the world has observed the atrocities of the American-led West military meet the atrocities of bands of terrorist gangsters, certain individuals have quietly spoken of Root Causes. A simplistic view is that the source of all of the problems is the religious fanaticism within the Muslim culture. Others respond by saying that this is not a root cause, but the result of the problem. The more enlightened claim that the root cause is very simple -- poverty. If we could devise methods of making the nations of the Middle East prosperous, then the anguish of unemployed youth would cease, their energies would be absorbed in productive behavior, and the need for joining radical fundamentalist groups would end. When an impoverished individual comes to know material prosperity, his interest in religious dogma and fanaticism dissipates, as he is now absorbed in the joy of physical well-being. He may even abandon his traditional religions altogether. Plans to bring prosperity to the Middle East should then be the leading edge strategy for overcoming the threat of terrorism. E.g., organizations I am affiliated with are already devising detailed strategies for making this a reality. It is coming from the subterranean levels of intelligentsia and working its way upwards, not from the body politic downward, which seems incapable of vision. Prosperity must be the focus for the future of the Middle East. Even democracy can wait. The current approach of retaliation alone WILL NOT WORK, as it will only agitate those whose borders we cross. The onion of truth can be peeled further, for there is little doubt that the Arab peoples have actually come to this state of poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity because of oppression, much of which has come from without. For 100 years, she has been under the boot of colonialism and the victim of the shifting interests of the West. Clearly, America has most recently used the region for its own selfish interests. Hypocrisy of international politics has reinforced poverty and a sense of helplessness and frustration in the Arab world. This indicates that strategies to overcome hypocritical policies of the West must be devised. Again, to reiterate, all invasions of Arab lands must also cease, as it only agitates those who live there. The terrorist will seek retribution wherever his land is run over, as Osama did when the West used the Muslim holy land of Saudi Arabia for launching its military strikes during the first Gulf War. Likewise, any other individual living there will be stirred to strike back when he perceives that his homeland is under fire. There are additional layers still to be peeled back because ultimately the issue goes to the heart of who we are -- i.e. our human values. The USA is –- for better or worse -- the global leader, militarily, economically, and culturally. She is also going through a catharsis of conscience since September 11th, which has revealed blind spots that she is only now grappling with. These issues did not gain her immediate attention beforehand since she was embroiled in the Cold War. Now, as they say, the chickens have come home to roost; the rock has been pushed aside, revealing the reality of decades of Western oppression, international diplomatic insincerity, which have in turn lead to legitimate Arab grievances. With the US's energies dominating the world, Nature demands that she confront her own demons -- i.e. her own psychological limitations. Being a dynamic society, allowing for great individuality, and thriving through the dynamis of many immigrant cultures, America is ripe to evolve more mature psychological capacities. In this way, she can become the first True Individual Nation amongst nations. She is surely set to make that transition and make enormous inner progress, despite the conservative forces that drag on her and consistently lead her astray. Life is layered from the surface to the deepest depths where the integral truth of things is revealed. Whatever deeper truths lurk in the core of things will emerge sooner or later. Nature forces us to address the heart of any matter; and the Middle East is no exception. The wise poet tells us that the answer lies within. It is from there that we can know the core and essence of things. Truth lurks in a silent mind and in the deepest recesses of our hearts.   Fundamentalism, Poverty, and Terrorism Religious Fundamentalism and Poverty Religious fundamentalism and its violence has its root causes in poverty. Therefore, devising strategies to overcome poverty and implementing them in full can eliminate rapid religious fundamentalism. Prosperity that Ends Fundamentalism Prosperity dissolves human perversity. Fundamentalism goes to the rear, the dollar sign ($) beckons. (MSS) Economic Opportunities that Overcomes Religious Conflict When economic opportunities open up, Man has no time or energy for religious conflict, i.e. economics goes deeper into man’s existence than what he believes to be his religious conviction. (MSS) Fundamentalism that Dissolves with Prosperity Wherever life opens prosperity, religion goes to the background. Equally, the rising enlightenment of the mind prevents religion from having an intoxicating hold on it that leads to rabid fanatical behaviour. (MSS) COMMENTS: -We know that whenever rabid fundamentalists confront prosperity, their reason d'etre diminishes and eventually disappears. That by the way is true for the zealots of ALL major religions. -Prosperity does not overcome spirituality however. Those who are taking to the deepest truths of life that come through spirit are supported by financial well being. In fact, prosperity is a great support for spiritual progress in life. It is even one of its goals. -Of course, as the mind becomes more rational, thoughtful, insightful, it leaves religious fundamentalism behind. If that mind is inquisitive and determined to grow further, then it moves to the spirit, which is certainly beyond religious dogma, ritual, and superstition, even beyond religions best qualities. -In fact above rational mind that generates thought-based conclusions, is the more subtle form of insight through direct illumination and intuitions of knowledge; which moves one directly to the true truth of things. It is a step on the road to continually having the multi-sided knowledge of an issue, -- as opposed to the narrow, one-sided, exclusive, ego-supported ordinary functioning of mind, even rational mind -- which is an indicator of the spiritual dimension of Knowledge. Other dimensions include the experience of Oneness, Peace, Delight, Truth, Power, Goodness, Beauty, Love, Infinity, Etc. (comments by RP of Growth Online) Narrowing the Financial Gap By narrowing the gap of the nations with terrorism to those around it, will remove the energy of terrorism. E.g. the Irish in Northern Ireland earn $10,000 a year, and Great Britain $20,000. Overcoming that gap can absorb the energy of the terrorists. US's Practical Internal Harmony The supreme need of several cultures having to live together brought the US a practical harmony in its existence.   Nature's experiment that has been brought several cultures together in the US is a direct antidote to fundamentalism. (Paraphrase of MSS)   Additional houghts on End of Fundamentalism and Prosperity   Diplomatic Insincerity and Terrorism   Diplomatic Insincerity and Terrorism Terrorism is the topic of the hour. It is a heinous crime to kill innocent people for an ideology one has in his own mind. He who indulges in it often risks his life, feeling he is a noble martyr. On any showing, it is indefensible. Sri Aurobindo says that behind any powerful statement or act lies a truth that escapes our attention. Is there a truth behind the series of terrorist attacks on most innocent people? Or is it a retrogressive movement? Lord Mountbatten was killed by a bomb on his yacht planted by the Irish Republican Army. They owned it was their doing. In India, Mahatma Gandhiji and Indira Gandhi fell at the hands of assassins. Rajiv too was such a victim. Terrorism can be explained as one stage of human development. It can be described as a direct result of dire poverty. The march of civilisation sometimes overtakes the speed with which MAN catches up with it. Another way of looking at it is this gap generates violence. Let me look at it from the dimension of self-perfection. Man started on earth with a physical life. He built his house with his own hands and therefore cherished it with a fine sentiment of attachment. He was attached to his wife, children and parents. The attachment ennobled him. He was proud. With the passage of time, his emotions developed and presently he lives by his mind. The mental progress will be impeded if he does not wean himself away from his vital physical attachments. The course of life breaks those attachments and helps him progress in the mental plane. Mind is a plane of knowledge. Progress here demands purity and TRUTH. Man has a way of moving to the impurity in insincerity and falsehood. Especially in the affairs of a nation, the diplomats cannot always be frank and true. Diplomacy often becomes a successful weapon in international affairs. Insincerity becomes a way of life in diplomacy. Unless one realises his own insincerity and by his own idealism comes forward to change the way of life, there is no alternative. The terrorist crudely exposes the mental insincerity of international politics. In my view, this is what terrorism does. Though unpardonable, in a higher sense, the movement of terrorism TELLS the world that for the urge of social evolution to fully express itself, it has to shed its own accretion of mental insincerity in the garb of diplomacy. Should the MIND come forward to be more and more sincere in its utterances and convictions, the external movements of barbaric acts of terrorism will shrink and finally disappear. (MSS)   September 11 and the Hypocrisy of International Diplomacy The September 11 attack on World Trade Centre by the abominable terrorist gang has its 'rationale' in that they were the negative instruments of a positive service to humanity. They are really at war with the organised hypocrisy of international diplomacy. Neither USA nor Europe will be able to eradicate terrorism without giving up this poison in the soul of the nation. (MSS)   Legitimate Grievances bin Laden may be evil, but the Arab people have legitimate grievances about past actions of the West -- including the US and Britain -- of which Bush the younger is highly representative of.   Evolution of US through Terrorism What is not clearly understood in the West (especially the USA)  is that terrorism is not only an opportunity for the evolution out of terrorism in the Middle East nations and elsewhere peoples who subscribe to that view, but an opportunity out of ignorance of the West, and the US in particular in various areas.   Layers of the Onion in the Middle East It is said that life is like an onion. As we peel away each layer, greater truths emerge. When an event occurs -- such as 9/11 in the USA -- truth is far away, as we only know the immediate horror of the situation. Truth thus awaits us in the future. However, it can be sped up by an open mind, and rapidly descend on us through experiences of intuitions of knowledge. Let us then examine several layers of truth when it comes to the issue of terrorism. The first truth that emerged after September 11th is that we need to go after the terrorists, which we did in no small part. Other truths began to reveal themselves thereafter. For one, that there is a serious problem of Islamic fundamentalism in the Arab world, something the West ignored when it was preoccupied by the Cold War. Other truths followed, including the legitimacy of the claim of wrongdoing by the West over the Arabs for a hundred years or more. Gorbachav continually reiterates this theme of valid Arab grievance toward the West, though it has until this point fallen on deaf ears. While the world has observed the atrocities of the American-led West military meet the atrocities of bands of terrorist gangsters, certain individuals have quietly spoken of Root Causes. A simplistic view is that the source of all of the problems is the religious fanaticism within the Muslim culture. Others respond by saying that this is not a root cause, but the result of the problem. The more enlightened claim that the root cause is very simple -- poverty. If we could devise methods of making the nations of the Middle East prosperous, then the anguish of unemployed youth would cease, their energies would be absorbed in productive behavior, and the need for joining radical fundamentalist groups would end. When an impoverished individual comes to know material prosperity, his interest in religious dogma and fanaticism dissipates, as he is now absorbed in the joy of physical well-being. He may even abandon his traditional religions altogether. Plans to bring prosperity to the Middle East should then be the leading edge strategy for overcoming the threat of terrorism. E.g., organizations I am affiliated with are already devising detailed strategies for making this a reality. It is coming from the subterranean levels of intelligentsia and working its way upwards, not from the body politic downward, which seems incapable of vision. Prosperity must be the focus for the future of the Middle East. Even democracy can wait. The current approach of retaliation alone WILL NOT WORK, as it will only agitate those whose borders we cross. The onion of truth can be peeled further, for there is little doubt that the Arab peoples have actually come to this state of poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity because of oppression, much of which has come from without. For 100 years, she has been under the boot of colonialism and the victim of the shifting interests of the West. Clearly, America has most recently used the region for its own selfish interests. Hypocrisy of international politics has reinforced poverty and a sense of helplessness and frustration in the Arab world. This indicates that strategies to overcome hypocritical policies of the West must be devised. Again, to reiterate, all invasions of Arab lands must also cease, as it only agitates those who live there. The terrorist will seek retribution wherever his land is run over, as Osama did when the West used the Muslim holy land of Saudi Arabia for launching its military strikes during the first Gulf War. Likewise, any other individual living there will be stirred to strike back when he perceives that his homeland is under fire. There are additional layers still to be peeled back because ultimately the issue goes to the heart of who we are -- i.e. our human values. The USA is –- for better or worse -- the global leader, militarily, economically, and culturally. She is also going through a catharsis of conscience since September 11th, which has revealed blind spots that she is only now grappling with. These issues did not gain her immediate attention beforehand since she was embroiled in the Cold War. Now, as they say, the chickens have come home to roost; the rock has been pushed aside, revealing the reality of decades of Western oppression, international diplomatic insincerity, which have in turn lead to legitimate Arab grievances. With the US's energies dominating the world, Nature demands that she confront her own demons -- i.e. her own psychological limitations. Being a dynamic society, allowing for great individuality, and thriving through the dynamis of many immigrant cultures, America is ripe to evolve more mature psychological capacities. In this way, she can become the first True Individual Nation amongst nations. She is surely set to make that transition and make enormous inner progress, despite the conservative forces that drag on her and consistently lead her astray. Life is layered from the surface to the deepest depths where the integral truth of things is revealed. Whatever deeper truths lurk in the core of things will emerge sooner or later. Nature forces us to address the heart of any matter; and the Middle East is no exception. The wise poet tells us that the answer lies within. It is from there that we can know the core and essence of things. Truth lurks in a silent mind and in the deepest recesses of our hearts.   The End of Cold War, Military Disengagement and Terrorism   Terrorism as Revival of Rigid Physical Consciousness after Cold War The period of the Cold War was a period of enormous tension all over the world. As soon as the Cold War was over, we see the revival of the rigid physical in the shape of terrorism. Terrorism, the Cold War, and Unabsorbed Energies of End of Military Buildup There are a physical, vital, and a mental consciousness. The rigid physical consciousness as in WWII is only overcome through war. The Cold War was vital in that it never came to war, but enabled a state of fear, i.e. vital. Terrorism is the revival of the physical consciousness. The energies at the end of the Cold War were not absorbed for productive use; i.e. we did not take advantage of the vast opportunity to uplift the masses, which is how the energies released by the end of military buildup in the Cold War afforded the world.   Avoiding Military Arsenals in the Hands of Terrorists The military stockpile will leak into the hands of terrorists if reduction of poverty and of weapons arsenals is not sought after.   Energy of Military Disengaged Can Only Be Absorbed by Raising the Masses The enormous energy absorbed by the military is now disengaged. It is there for us to use. Except in raising the masses, it cannot be fully absorbed. (MSS)  [I.e. As a result of the end of the Cold War a lot of energy is available to humanity. However, the only way it can be absorbed and utilized is if is used for the rising up of the masses.]   Military Solutions to Terrorism Military and Poverty-Ending Global Rapid Reaction Forces Terrorism will end when there is a global rapid reaction. force to overcome the insecurity of terrorism and a global rapid reaction force to get at the roots of terrism -- poverty. One without the other is unlikely to succeed.   Rapid Reaction Force to Terrorism -The security solution to terrorism must come internationally. -There needs to be an international force of some kind. Perhaps we can call it a World Army, or perhaps better yet a Global Rapid Reaction Force. It can go into any area and create stability, i.e. security. -There should also be a global "rapid reaction force" to end the roots of terrorism -- poverty. -Both military and social development solutions must be implemented. One without the other is unlikely to succeed. Security of Global Army What we have now (2002) is a helter-skelter method of protection of the security of the world. What we need is a Global Army; a global Rapid Reaction Force to enable security for the nations of the world. (This includes ending terrorism in tandem with overcoming its root cause, poverty)   Thoughts on Need for Security to Help End Terrorism   Additional Thoughts and Strategies Regarding Terrorism -Terrorism is the method of the weak against the strong. -The roots of terrorism are poverty, and estranged economic misery. -The roots of poverty are ignorance, lack of education, lack of development, misplaced energy, etc. -These are times of Rising Expectations. Every man can see the possibility of the success of others through mass media and communications. He thus wants the same benefits NOW. He doesn't want to wait, as he has for thousands of years under autocratic governance, monarchy, church, etc. -The energies in the Arab countries are not being utilized for productive work and labor. There is misery and unemployment. That energy goes into railing against the system that does not give them what others have in the world. The era of Rising Expectations exacerbates the unproductive energy that moves towards any means for an outlet - emotional or otherwise. -The US which has many ethnic groups lives in harmony, i.e there is no virulent terrorism because there is prosperity. I.e. a nobody on the street can become a respectable citizen by hard, intelligent work. This is a SOLVENT of ethnic conflicts and tensions. It is a model for the global community. Such opportunities for prosperity will overcome terrorism amongst the nations of the world. -In the short term terrorism can be abolished by a strong national and international community enabling security, perhaps by a rapid reaction force of world army. In the longer term, root causes must be overcome. -The unabsorbed energies of the end of military buildup of the Cold War must be absorbed by raining up the masses, including those areas where terrorism threatens. -Religious fundamentalism and its violence has its root causes in poverty. Therefore, devising strategies to overcome poverty and implementing them in full can eliminate rapid religious fundamentalism. -The supreme need of several cultures having to live together brought the US a practical harmony in its existence. Nature's experiment that has been brought several cultures together in the US is a direct antidote to fundamentalism. -By narrowing the gap of the nations with terrorism to those around it, will remove the energy of terrorism. E.g. the Irish in Northern Ireland earn $10,000 a year, and Great Britain $20,000. overcoming that gap can absorb the energy of the terrorists. -End to diplomatic insincerity of nations (US, Europe, et al) will help support end of terrorism.   Israeli-Palestinian Conflict The Israeli-Palestinian conflict will resolve when the hate of the two sides ceases. (One man on each side can enable this to occur.)   Sharon and Arafat's Faulty Self-conceptions Sharon expected Arafat to be a terrorist. Arafat expected Sharon to not want an independent state for the Palestinians. Both proved true at that point. Their own self-conceptions were prophetic. Positively or negatively life always responds to one's self-conception. However, when one moves from one's limited self-conception to an openness of possibility, life responds positively in kind.   Silence as Foundation of World Peace It is from a status of Silence that we can elicit peace and harmony among the nations of the world. Also See Thoughts on History (including contemporary)       To Be Categorized   III Security, Terrorism Economics, Poverty Spirituality, Religion Cold War End of Hold of Religion Behind Terrorism through Prosperity, Education, & Enlightened Mind After the end of the Cold War, we see ferocious animosities focussed at precise undefined points in the shape of terrorist explosions. Presently the world is finding it difficult to come by a satisfying answer to this phenomenon. Marx’s description of religion as the opium of the masses deserves consideration here. Opium intoxicates in usual doses, destroys in overdoses. What is a usual dose of a drug to a cultivated mind is an overdose to a superstitious mind. Idealism for a great mind is fanaticism for a small mind. Culture is the best ingredient of Mind that makes it level headed or great. It is education that prepares the mind to receive culture. Man thinks of education when his stomach is full. Hunger prevents one from seeking education. Physical threat and insecurity can drive man so hard, that he even overlooks the claims of a half-filled stomach. Superstition forms and takes hold of people at all levels of insufficiency. There is a ’proper’ superstition to each level of maturity or immaturity. Superstition makes men fanatics. After the end of the World War, as well as the Cold War, there appears no valid reason for fighting. Still, isolated intense fights, or rather attacks are there all the time. In the absence of prosperity and education, religion does havoc to the mind through the instrumentation of superstition. Therefore, we see the power of Marx’s observation. It is a historical fact that wherever life opens prosperity, religion goes to the background. Equally, the rising enlightenment of the mind prevents religion from having an intoxicating hold on it that leads to rabid fanatical behaviour. We also see in those hotbeds of internecine conflicts - Palestine, Kashmir, Ireland - there is mass migration seeking better economic life, disregarding religious persuasions. Religion is the opium of the masses not when they are educated or prosperous. Hence the remedy for terrorism lies in opening up the avenues of economic betterment. (MSS)         Growth Online Contact Us