PlanetHood: The Key to YOUR Future by Benjamin B. Ferencz and Ken Keyes, Jr
In the Introduction to Planethood, Benjamin Ferencz describes the epiphany he has after lamenting the lack of remorse of the men responsible for the atrocities of the Holocaust. He writes that he “soon realized that if one begins with the distorted convictions that a person of a certain race, opinion, or belief is inferior, his extermination seems logical and even desirable” (xxxvii). It is this very mentality, the mentality of “us vs. them,” that he is fighting for society to overcome. He outlines a very simple and logical eight step system for society to escape the cycle of violence that he, like the Beyond War organization, sees ending in nuclear obliteration. Using historical evidence, particularly the US Constitution and the Neuremberg trials, and his own experiences as a guide, he explains his reasons why war is obsolete and what we can do to create a peaceful world environment.
PlanetHood Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to the Earth, and to the planet for which it stands; one world, under law, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.
(Martin Hayes)
Questions for Discussion:
1) What would a world government look like to you? What checks and balances would be required to make such a broad scoping transition work? Do you think the idea of a world government based on the US Constitution, as Ferencz describes, is even possible?
2) Ferencz discusses how the US Constitution outlines a great deal of how we should establish an effective system of international law. Do you think that a world constitution would be able to be both broad enough and specific enough to fairly govern everyone in the world?
3) Ferencz seems to talk very specifically about enforcing laws rather than creating a paradigm shift. As history has shown (just think back to the end of slavery, and the civil right movement!), you cannot legislate tolerance. Do you think creating and enforcing an international system of law will necessarily result in a paradigm shift, or is there a potential to simply create more conflict?
4) This book was written in 1991. Considering where we are now, two wars (three technically, if you consider the "war or terror" to be an actual war...) and an economic crisis later, what about Ferencz's argument would you change? Or do all of the points he makes still hold true today?
PlanetHood Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to the Earth, and to the planet for which it stands; one world, under law, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.
(Martin Hayes)
Questions for Discussion:
1) What would a world government look like to you? What checks and balances would be required to make such a broad scoping transition work? Do you think the idea of a world government based on the US Constitution, as Ferencz describes, is even possible?
2) Ferencz discusses how the US Constitution outlines a great deal of how we should establish an effective system of international law. Do you think that a world constitution would be able to be both broad enough and specific enough to fairly govern everyone in the world?
3) Ferencz seems to talk very specifically about enforcing laws rather than creating a paradigm shift. As history has shown (just think back to the end of slavery, and the civil right movement!), you cannot legislate tolerance. Do you think creating and enforcing an international system of law will necessarily result in a paradigm shift, or is there a potential to simply create more conflict?
4) This book was written in 1991. Considering where we are now, two wars (three technically, if you consider the "war or terror" to be an actual war...) and an economic crisis later, what about Ferencz's argument would you change? Or do all of the points he makes still hold true today?
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