As the Grand Moral Strategy continued to unfold, significant
improvements were made in the human condition. The gradual
acceleration of the World Development Plan brought more prosperity to
many of the developing countries. In most of the countries previous
declines were halted and reversed. Many countries -- favored by
natural resources, geographic locations or the energy of their people
-- made very substantial progress. Only a few of the countries, where
autocratic regimes were too firmly entrenched, remained on the sick
list. It was time to think about a more full level of global
political and economic integration.
Political integration was not yet possible. Even with all the
economic progress there were too many disparities between the richer
and the poorer countries. With the abolition of war and militarism it
also became less urgent to have political integration, since the
dangers of war and violence have receded. However, economic
coordination was becoming a necessity. Several major trading blocs
evolved. North America consisted of the United States, Canada and
Mexico. The Pacific trade bloc included Japan, China, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and others. The European Economic Community
unified most of Western Europe. Some of the peace confederations were
evolving into significant economic units, such as the Confederation
of Abraham, the Danubian Confederation, the Soviet Republics, the
Indian subcontinent and Latin America.
The next major task of the World Development Plan was to integrate
these regional blocs into a single global market. A combination of
subtle political pressures and development aid continued to move
these supra-national units toward greater global integration. Where
problems emerged -- such as not gaining sufficient benefits from
integration -- it was always possible to provide compensation under
the Principle of Mutual Advantage. Global integration also was
facilitated by the emerging human consciousness. The abolishing of
war supplied a common foreign policy goal. The pervasive global
television network encouraged mutual tolerance of cultures. Much
tourism and travel took place among the citizens of the countries.
Cordial contacts were also established among businessmen, government
officials, scientists and others. Increasingly more and more
countries found it both useful and necessary to harmonize national
strategies and policies with other nations and economic blocs.
Gradually, a global mindset of a common human race and culture was
displacing the obsolescent tribal loyalties.
Increasing prosperity and democracy brought about the lessening of
tensions. It now became very important not to lose what was gained.
Planning and management on a global scale led to a proper analysis of
threats and opportunities. This was then followed by constructive
action on every level needed.
Of course the problems of humanity still remained in many places. But
enough progress was made for everyone to realize where the future had
to lead. The future had to evolve in the direction of a true system
of global governance, for the single global tribe of Homo
sapiens. At all cost the mismanagement of the past, which
caused so much human suffering, had to be avoided.
Paul and the Department of Peace turned their attention to the one
project that was most capable of continuing the unification of
humanity. As part of the now obsolete arms race considerable
investments were made in the use of space for military purposes.
President John F. Kennedy's hoped to develop the economic potential
of space to solve many of the problems of the Earth. But his
successors distorted his dream into an extension of the arms race
beyond the surface of the planet. Many satellites were placed into
orbit for military surveillance purposes. Plans were made to position
nuclear weapons into orbit or into space stations. As the ultimate
folly, billions of dollars were wasted on research for the Star Wars
program -- developing a defense shield against a nuclear attack on
the United States.
As part of the World Development Plan a totally new approach was
taken. It was recognized that outer space was the collective
possession of all of humanity, not to be abused for destructive
purposes or for national advantage. Great opportunities were foreseen
in using space for peaceful purposes. Accordingly, national space
programs were combined with the related efforts of large
corporations, under the coordinating efforts of the World Space
Agency.
The surveillance of the vestiges of weapons and militarism still
continued. The information collected helped the World Constabulary
Force and other military forces to verify disarmament activities, and
keep in check the remnants of militarism. All other research funding
and space development resources were directed to develop outer space
for economic purposes. Commercial, industrial, medical and scientific
ventures were to be encouraged. Most of the existing commercial space
applications were already enlarged as part of extending the world
telecommunications network for educational and technology transfer
purposes. Additional emphasis was now placed on navigation systems
for ships and airplanes, direct broadcasting and a vastly enlarged
communications capability for increasing industrial productivity and
efficiency. It was now feasible to develop electronic libraries,
remote learning in class-rooms and self-instruction devices.
Satellite monitoring assisted in natural resource development,
environmental preservation, agricultural crop monitoring and many
other areas.
In addition of these practical applications of space there was also a
necessity to demonstrate in highly visible project that all of
humanity was cooperating in space. One of these projects was the
setting up of a permanent space station for scientific research
purposes. There was already considerable research done both by the
United States and the Soviet Union in this field. Limited cooperation
existed even during the Cold War, when space stations and vehicles
were fitted with compatible docking equipment. The separate efforts
were now totally combined. The other major industrialized nations
were invited to participate, both the share the costs and the
benefits of the space stations. Many potentially useful industrial
applications could be explored in such areas as low-gravity
manufacture of metals, plastics and other materials; pure drugs, the
production of crystals and alloys that could not be made on Earth,
and so on. The assembly of the space station became one of the many
conversion projects of the aerospace industries that no longer were
needed for the development of armaments. It took only two years to
assemble the space station once the decision was made to proceed.
The second project was the sending of a manned mission to Mars.
Soviet space planners had the announced goal of putting the first
cosmonaut to Mars before the end of the century. As part of their
joint efforts to de-arm the planet, the United States and the Soviet
Union combined their space exploration efforts. Once again the other
rich industrial nations were invited to share the costs and the glory
of exploring the Solar System. The "can-do" attitude that succeeded
in putting the first man on the Moon permeated the Mars Landing
Program. The resources of the huge aerospace industry were converted
to this purpose. Assembled in the new space station, the joint Mars
Landing Mission indeed left for Mars before the end of the century.
The fantasy of science fiction writers became a reality, as humanity
decided to obey the biblical injunction of "nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
Beyond Mars beckoned the Solar System, and beyond that the entire
Universe to explore. Paul was glad that he was able to contribute to
another of the limitless possibilities of a unified humanity.
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