Just like Daddy told me...

When I was a boy helping with the landscaping, Dad told me that if I wanted to make sure a weed didn't come back, I had to pull out all of the roots, not just the portion I could see.

With that in mind, I was struck by the following observations which may clarify some of what is going on around us today:

At least as far back as 1900 Western civilization - in its highest form: liberal democracy - has been in a non-stop, life-and-death struggle against:

Sectarianism
Nationalism
Militarism
Authoritarianism

Out of which flow:

Monarchism (which is comprised of: authoritarianism,
nationalism)

Colonialism (nationalism, militarism, authoritarianism)

Socialism (Authoritarianism)

Totalitarianism (Authoritarianism)

Communism (Nationalism, Totalitarianism, Militarism,
Socialism) [As embodied in Soviet and Chinese versions]

Fascism (See 'Communism')

Islamism (sectarianism, fascism, totalitarianism)


If we take a look at the location of the five (5) gravest threats to peace and security in the world today:

1. Iran
2. North Korea
3. Iraq
4. Syria
5. Taiwan (versus China)

We find in each case that at least one of the above four major social disorders is at its root:

1. Iran – Islamism (with its component diseases of
sectarianism, socialism, nationalism and
totalitarianism)

2. North Korea – All of the above

3. Iraq – Sectarianism

4. Syria – Authoritarianism

5. Taiwan – Nationalism, Militarism, Authoritarianism

The first world war ended monarchism and colonialism. The second world war ended militarism and nationalism, the third world war (aka the cold war) ended most of authoritarianism. Today we are engaged in the fourth world war which will, I hope, put the final nails in the coffin of authoritarianism and if not destroy, then seriously weaken sectarianism.

Of all of our battles, sectarianism is the longest running and will be the most difficult to dispense with because it will require a new ordering of human society and a new conception and practice of religion. In other words, we need to evolve societally before we destroy ourselves.

There is no option for civilization. Either we move forward or we retreat into medievalism. If we are to progress, the struggle must be seen for what it is. We must fight and we must win.

Just so you know.