This issue of Cadmus Journal reflects the significant intensification of the World Academy’s programming and collaboration that has taken place since the June conference on “Humanities and the Contemporary World” in Podgorica conducted in collaboration with the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts and the “1st International Social Transformation Conference” organized by the Global Round Table in Split in July, which WAAS co-sponsored, as reported in the first issue of Eruditio and the Summer 2012 WAAS Newsletter. In September, the Academy was co-organizer of international conferences “The Dream of a Global Knowledge Society” with the Inter-University Centre and on “Nuclear Threats and Security” with the European Leadership Network and the Dag Hammarskjöld University College of International Relations and Diplomacy, both in Dubrovnik; co-sponsor of the “14th International Conference on Sustainable Development and Eco-innovation” organized by the AGH Engineering University in Krakow; and knowledge sponsor of the “European Forum for New Ideas, a major conference of European business leaders organized by Lewiatan in Sopot, Poland. In addition, WAAS continued its close collaboration with the Club of Rome on new economic theory at the Club’s annual conference on “The Power of Mind” in Bucharest. A detailed report on these activities has been included in the section Activities and Events. The themes and discussion at all of these diverse events powerfully reinforce the growing global concern with the issues of economy, ecology, governance and security examined in previous issues of Cadmus Journal. Scientists, scholars, business leaders, technocrats and politicians concur that solutions to the pressing problems of humanity cannot be found without a fundamental shift in values and correspondingly radical changes in the policies and rules by which national and global systems are governed. But new policies and rules are not sufficient. The current multi-dimensional crises all point to the inadequacy of the conceptual framework through which we view and strive to understand the challenges and opportunities facing humanity today. Thus, there is also urgent need for new thinking, theory and perspectives. The core of the change needed is a shift to a view that recognizes the central place of human consciousness, values and social power to determine humanity’s future. On the supply side, we need to develop a Human-Capital-Intensive theory and model of social development, predicated on the recognition that human beings represent the most precious of all resources, inexhaustible in their potential. On the demand side, we must recognize that the only valid criterion by which to evaluate the adequacy of our theories is their capacity to successfully promote the welfare and well-being of all humanity. Any theory used to justify the inadequacies and inequity of the present system as the best possible is condemned by its very failure to deliver adequate benefits to society. “The Power of Mind” was the theme of the Club of Rome annual conference concluded earlier this month in Bucharest. That theme is of immense relevance to addressing the multiple crises that afflict humanity today. The essential message of the conference is that solutions do exist to the problems confronting humanity today, but those problems necessitate fundamental changes in the way we think about global society, public policy and humanity’s future. Enough time and energy have already been spent defining and quantifying the global problematique of persistent hunger and endemic poverty, rising unemployment and growing inequalities, resource depletion and environmental damage, financial instability and soaring public debt, growing insecurity, cultural tensions and social unrest both domestically and internationally. Business as usual, more of the same, simply will not do. We need a radical change of course. Mind has the power to formulate effective solutions, if it consents to cast off the blinding constraints of conventional wisdom and vested interests. Since its conception, Cadmus has carried numerous articles seeking to identify the essential tenets of a true science of Economy. Money plays a central role in economics today, yet it is rare to come across a serious, informed discussion of what money really is and what role it plays in modern society. Although we all use money every day, the nature and functioning of money seem shrouded in commonplace myths and ancient mysteries. This issue includes the first in a series of articles exploring the origins, nature and functioning of money, a challenging analysis of prevailing monetary practices, and an extensive book review of a new report by the Club of Rome’s European Chapter explaining the benefits of complementary monetary systems. This issue also includes a critical examination of fundamental premises of prevailing economic theory, an extensive survey of recent books focusing on the need for a new economics, and a review of an insightful UN report examining the linkages between economy, ecology and governance. Among the founders of the World Academy were several leading scientists associated with the development of nuclear weapons and many others who shared their profound concern from the spread of the nuclear genie since its first appearance in 1945. The last part of this issue of Cadmus is devoted to an in-depth exploration of the significance, utility and legality of nuclear weapons and practical steps that can be taken to free humanity from its very real and present threat the security of humankind and the preservation of the biosphere. Nuclear weapons present an opportunity as well as a challenge. They are an example of a class of issues in which the interests of nations are inseparably intertwined with the security of all humanity and the planet we share. Therefore, the effort to evolve a just and effective means for global governance of nuclear weapons is an opportunity to evolve the principles and mechanisms required for addressing a wide range of other issues in which all humanity has an equal stake and equal right. The present global system evolved from a period in which the sovereignty of the nation state was regarded as the ultimate principle governing international affairs. Since then, the affirmation of human rights and international humanitarian law has advanced far beyond this limited concept in both principle and practice. But our systems of governance are still severely constrained by a concept of sovereignty that gives precedence to the right of nations, irrespective of their mode of governance, over the sovereign rights of humanity as a whole. This issue of Cadmus continues our inquiry into the need for a new paradigm in international law more suited to the needs of the 21st century. Best Regards,
Orio Giarini, Garry Jacobs & Ivo Šlaus Editors | Inside This Issue The paper argues for a wider, inclusive concept of sovereignty that accords full recognition to the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the human community as a whole. Winston Nagan and Garry Jacobs,
Sovereignty and Nuclear Weapons It will take what it always takes—courageous and determined action by individuals in the face of strong opposition—to fight for our vision of a world without war. James T. Ranney,
World Peace through Law The economic system depicted by neo-classical theory does not encompass the most important characteristics of the Earth system in which human activity plays an important role. John Avery,
Federalism and Global Governance We rely on nuclear deterrence out of habit and because doctrines and ideas developed during the Cold War got locked in place by fear. But now we have emerged from the Cold War. It makes sense to reexamine the ideas of that time and critically reevaluate evidence, doctrines and judgments made during the time. Ward Wilson,
Myth, Hiroshima and Fear One rule of non-possession for all will be far more conducive than our present world of nuclear haves and have-nots to the development of a just and legitimate system of international law and institutions, which in turn will reinforce the durability of abolition of nuclear weapons. John Burroughs,
How Reliance on Nuclear Weapons Erodes and Distorts International Law and Global Order There can be no reasonable situation where threat of use of nuclear weapons would be justified for self-defence. But such a threat exists in the very possession of nuclear weapons themselves. The implication, therefore, is that nuclear weapons must be totally eliminated from national arsenals. Jasjit Singh,
Re-Examining the 1996 ICJ Advisory Opinion Cooperative Security, in place of the current competitive security, is needed to meet not only the requirement of nuclear disarmament but also the many challenges of the 21st century. Manpreet Sethi,
India’s Disarmament Initiative 1988 The core of the nuclear weapons problem is the challenge of evolving effective institutions for global governance. The solution to this and other serious challenges can only be resolved by humanity as a whole. Garry Jacobs and Winston Nagan,
Nuclear Threats and Security Click here to download the full issue. |
