Common Sense Renewed PDF

Common Sense
Renewed.
by
Robert Christian
Common Sense Renewed
Robert Christian
i
The Georgia Guidestones
ii
Common Sense
Renewed
By Robert Christian
Graphic Publishing Company, Inc.

Lake Mills, Iowa
iii
Printed by Graphic Publishing Company, Inc.
Lake Mills, Iowa
Copyright 1986 by Graphic Publishing Company, Inc.

A l l Rights Reserved, Published 1986
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 85-82573
ISBN 0-89279-078-4
iv
Contents
Preface vii
I. C o m m o n Sense R e n e w e d 1
II. The G e o r g i a Guidestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
III. C u l t u r a l E v o l u t i o n 16
IV. G u i d i n g H u m a n R e p r o d u c t i o n 23
V. Suffrage in the U n i t e d States 30
VI. Prospects for the A m e r i c a n E c o n o m y 37
VII. Proposals for I m p r o v i n g Our Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
VIII. A B e g i n n i n g for the A g e of Reason 66
IX. On R e v o l u t i o n 75
X . Reflections o n G o d a n d R e l i g i o n 82
XI. On the C o n v e r s i o n of R u s s i a 91
XII. To M a k e Partners of R i v a l s 103
Epilogue 124
V
vi
Preface
At harvest time primitive farmers separate their grain by
beating the stalks w i t h flails on a threshing floor. T h e y remove
the loose straw, leaving a residue of grain, chaff, a n d dust.
This mixture is purified by w i n n o w i n g — t o s s i n g it into the air
to permit the empty husks and useless debris to be carried away
on the w i n d . T h e grain kernels fall back w h e r e they can be
recovered and put to use by the c o m m u n i t y .
I was p r i v i l e g e d to be born an A m e r i c a n at a time w h e n o u r
nation had achieved high levels of political liberty and material
comforts for our people. I have enjoyed the benefits of our
society a n d have h a d o p p o r t u n i t y to observe the passing scene
from a vantage point w h i c h has exposed me to h u m a n beings in
all w a l k s of life, representing a w i d e spectrum of political,
religious, a n d economic views.
H a v i n g reached the harvest time of my o w n life, I feel a d u t y
to share w i t h y o u a few thoughts g a i n e d in my brief existence as
a member of the h u m a n family.
Like primitive farmers, I place these ideas on the threshing
floor of the p u b l i c forum where that w h i c h is useless or in error
—the straw, if y o u will—can be separated by the flails of critical
discussion. I am hopeful that w h e n the residual chaff has been
w i n n o w e d away there w i l l r e m a i n a few kernels w h i c h can be
added to the store of h u m a n w i s d o m in a manner that w i l l con-
tribute to the general welfare.
I have no pretensions to authority. I am a p l a i n c i t i z e n , w i t h -
out scholarly stature or political experience. I present herein
certain v i e w s dealing w i t h a variety of subjects. S o m e of these
thoughts, particularly those w h i c h relate to my private concepts
of the cosmos a n d of o u r role w i t h i n it, may offend certain of
my readers because of seeming conflicts with their o w n
cherished beliefs and traditions. It is not my intent to stir up
controversy. Each of us is entitled to private v i e w s gained
through personal experience. I do not challenge the o p i n i o n of
anyone in these matters. I s i m p l y present my thoughts for
vii
those w h o seek to review a variety of o p i n i o n s w h e n d e a l i n g
w i t h controversial matters. Others may ignore t h e m . I have at-
tempted to seek T r u t h b e g i n n i n g from a starting p o i n t in space,
a n d time, and cultural i m m e r s i o n w h i c h was determined for me
by the accidents of h u m a n history. Each life is u n i q u e . We
f o l l o w i n d i v i d u a l pathways to the grave. We cannot control
m a n y of the elements w h i c h determine our destinies a n d
s i m p l y do the best we can w i t h the opportunities w h i c h come
our w a y .
I seek that degree of toleration and u n d e r s t a n d i n g w h i c h y o u
w o u l d grant a family member whose p h i l o s o p h i c a l v i e w s seem
at first glance to be o u t l a n d i s h or out of step w i t h the beliefs of
others.
If y o u cannot agree w i t h m y v i e w s I ask o n l y that y o u w i l l
base y o u r contrary o p i n i o n s o n s o l i d evidence a n d c o m m o n
sense, a n d that y o u w i l l not permit y o u r judgment to be over-
w h e l m e d by unreasoning faith in a m a n n e r that ignores honest
evidence.
Collective h u m a n intelligence is capable of d i s c o v e r i n g
acceptable solutions for the problems w h i c h confront us. We
must work together to direct political and moral influences
through channels of w i s d o m , not channels of brute force, or
ambition.
U s i n g c o m m o n sense as o u r g u i d e we m u s t unite w i t h the
entire h u m a n family in establishing a limited w o r l d g o v e r n m e n t
capable of settling international disputes t h r o u g h a system of
law. We m u s t establish as a parallel objective the b u i l d i n g of an
e n d u r i n g balance between h u m a n activities a n d the w o r l d of
nature.
These w i l l be first steps i n creating an e n d u r i n g A g e of
Reason.
Robert C h r i s t i a n
viii
I
Common Sense
Renewed
OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS A G O a perceptive E n g l i s h m a n , T o m

Paine, arrived in A m e r i c a in the early stages of our struggle for
independence. He came w i t h the encouragement of Benjamin
F r a n k l i n , w h o shared w i t h h i m a desire for peaceful resolution
of the frictions w h i c h h a d d e v e l o p e d between the C o l o n i e s a n d
Great B r i t a i n . Paine became incensed by the autocratic aspects
of B r i t i s h rule. He s u m m a r i z e d his beliefs in a tract entitled
" C o m m o n S e n s e , " w h i c h brought the issues into focus for the
general p u b l i c . He appealed to reason as the proper t o o l for
resolving our p r o b l e m s peacefully. Unfortunately, h u m a n i n -
transigence made war inevitable.
T o d a y the w o r l d is confronted by increasing portents of
nuclear w a r . It is essential more than ever before that we ex-
plore every means for rational, nonviolent resolution of worldly
frictions. O n c e again we m u s t look to c o m m o n sense to f i n d
n e w pathways to peace.
These essays are addressed to o p e n - m i n d e d citizens of all
national, political, a n d religious persuasions w h o are w i l l i n g to
r e v i e w our problems in the light of collective reason. Let us e n d
once a n d for all the ultimate abomination—war. L e t us s t a m p
out politically motivated terrorism a n d assassination. I speak as
a private citizen of the U n i t e d States, professing neither great
w i s d o m n o r prophetic p o w e r . I do believe that h u m a n prob-
1
2 C O M M O N SENSE R E N E W E D
lems can be solved t h r o u g h nonviolent means. The difficulties

w h i c h h a m p e r our search for peace are rooted in our natures.
M y personal religious beliefs are based imperfectly o n those
of C h r i s t , as adapted to my u n d e r s t a n d i n g of reality. I can
easily live in peace w i t h others w h o h o l d quite different v i e w s ,
for I recognize the uncertainty of all h u m a n k n o w l e d g e a n d the
disparity of o p i n i o n w h i c h often marks appraisals by different
i n d i v i d u a l s w h o v i e w a c o m m o n subject from w i d e l y separated
v i e w p o i n t s . E v e n o u r most dogmatic beliefs may prove to be in
error w h e n v i e w e d against a background of n e w understand-
i n g . H i s t o r y is replete w i t h h u m a n suffering w h i c h has resulted
from inflexibility of belief, especially in the areas of religion and
politics.
For more than 60 years I have b e n e f i t e d from the A m e r i c a n
political system w h i c h was built through the labors and suffer-
ings of o u r forebears. S o m e of my ancestors participated in the
major wars w h i c h forged a n d preserved o u r liberties. T h e y
were represented in the armies of G e o r g e W a s h i n g t o n , a n d of
both the N o r t h and the South in the period of our C i v i l w a r . I
voice my v i e w s from a sense of obligation to t h e m a n d to all
w h o have helped to make o u r nation a stronghold for freedom
and a h o m e for democratic principles.
Like a l l h u m a n beings, I entered this existence w i t h o u t my
v o l i t i o n or consent. I share the gift of life with y o u a n d w i t h
m y r i a d s of other forms. We h u m a n s o p e n our eyes and b e h o l d
a universe, w i t h mysterious and vast d i m e n s i o n s w h i c h range
b e y o n d our u n d e r s t a n d i n g .
Questions about our role or p u r p o s e find only tentative a n d
uncertain answers. M o s t of us are content to accept on faith the
teachings of religious leaders that we are significant agents of a
S u p r e m e B e i n g . We sense an obligation to live in accord w i t h
natural " l a w s " w e discern i n the w o r l d a r o u n d us. W e observe
w i t h i n our nature certain talents and a small degree of intelli-
gence. We accept an i m p l i e d obligation to pursue goodness a n d
truth.
Instincts acquired in more than two b i l l i o n years of e v o l u t i o n -
ary struggle for s u r v i v a l live on w i t h i n our physical natures.
They i m p e l us to continue a n d to further i m p r o v e o u r o w n
species. Inborn curiosity and d y n a m i s m stimulate us to explore
o u r w o r l d , seeking out challenges a n d answers. Imagination
a n d a l t r u i s m inspire us to e n v i s i o n a future in w h i c h we w i l l
C O M M O N SENSE RENEWED 3
govern o u r a n i m a l nature a n d assume a g u i d i n g role over all

l i v i n g things in accordance w i t h o u r best spiritual a n d intellec-
tual capacities.
W e live i n a t i m e o f great p e r i l . H u m a n i t y a n d the p r o u d
achievements of its infancy on earth are in grave danger. O u r
knowledge has outstripped w i s d o m . We have controlled
disease, but have not regulated our numbers. We have ad-
vanced o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g in the natural sciences but have not
adequately controlled o u r baser a n i m a l instincts. We have
begun to accept the rule of law but have limited its application,
permitting it to regulate the affairs of i n d i v i d u a l s and of small
political d i v i s i o n s w h i l e we neglect to use it in controlling major
aggression. We have o u t l a w e d the use of m u r d e r a n d violence
in resolving i n d i v i d u a l disputes, but have failed to d e v e l o p pro-
cedures to peacefully settle conflicts between nations.
M e a n w h i l e , we have made the w o r l d an atomic tinderbox.
We cannot permit the present c o n d i t i o n to c o n t i n u e . We m u s t
change our traditions. D e v i s i n g effective political mechanisms
to control the conduct of nations is not an impossible task. It
should be v i e w e d as a scientific and social challenge w h i c h
demands the immediate attention of the wisest h u m a n heads in
all the family of nations.
The w o r l d is d e v o t i n g intense effort a n d lavish funding to
developing ever more sophisticated w e a p o n s in an arms race
w h i c h at this moment s h o w s little prospect of e n d i n g in peace.
We a n d the Soviet U n i o n are directing vast resources and i n -
tense intellectual effort to the exploration of space. This is not
intrinsically w r o n g , but it diverts attention from m u c h more
pressing p r o b l e m s . We must all rearrange o u r priorities to
reflect a logical appraisal of the more urgent political dilemmas
w h i c h confront us.
N o w h e r e do we observe p r o p e r concern for d e v i s i n g political
arrangements that w i l l assure international peace a n d the free
flow of commerce and k n o w l e d g e w h i l e preserving for each
nation reasonable a u t o n o m y w i t h i n its borders. Surely this is
not an i n s u r m o u n t a b l e task for o u r collective intelligence.
There must be alternatives to w a r w h i c h w i l l be acceptable to
and w e l c o m e d by the mass of h u m a n i t y . We m u s t n o w make
an organized w o r l d - w i d e effort to find them and to apply t h e m
to the affairs of m a n k i n d . This is the greatest challenge facing us
in the atomic era.
4 C O M M O N SENSE RENEWED
T h e Soviet U n i o n and the U n i t e d States are both p o w e r f u l

nations. Differences in political p h i l o s o p h y have d i v i d e d the
f a m i l y of nations into t w o large camps, a n d these have gathered
a r o u n d the t w o major powers, sharing to some degree the
v i e w s w h i c h make those p o w e r s rivals. The rivalry is rooted in
the m o m e n t u m of historical behavior patterns w h i c h date back
to another, far different era. But those patterns, passively
accepted, become chains w h i c h prevent rational b e h a v i o r from
meeting the challenges of today. T h e leaders of our t w o c o u n -
tries can cast off those restraints and direct our affairs to estab-
l i s h n e w political mechanisms capable of logically resolving the
frictions w h i c h presently characterize our m u t u a l relationships.
Is it unthinkable that A m e r i c a and the Soviet U n i o n c o u l d
unite as political partners? C a n we not assume the role of wiser
and stronger elders in g u i d i n g the family of m a n through the
present dangers into a future ruled by h u m a n reason? Is not
this prospect an appealing alternative to nuclear w a r ?
A c h i e v i n g that partnership is vastly more important than
exploring the m o o n . It w i l l be immeasurably more productive
of g o o d for h u m a n i t y than all the futile, frantic preparations for
w a r w h i c h n o w distract us.
H u m a n intelligence is capable of d e v i s i n g solutions to all of
o u r problems—war, p o p u l a t i o n control, justice under law, a n d
the progressive i m p r o v e m e n t and perfection of o u r species as
the shepherd of life on earth.
I recognize the differences w h i c h separate my u n d e r s t a n d i n g
of reality from that of religionists w h o interpret the Bible a n d
other ancient documents in a literal fashion. If we h a d lived
identical lives and r e v i e w e d the same evidence together we
w o u l d probably agree on most things. But we have come to this
m o m e n t by different paths. Let us set aside o u r disagreements
a n d focus our m i n d s a n d ideals on the urgent task at h a n d : to
resolve our m u t u a l problems as citizens of a shared but
troubled planet.
T r u t h w i l l prevail w h e n we seek it honestly. We can discover
agreement in m a n y areas even while we m u t u a l l y respect our
rights to disagree.
Let us challenge the citizens of the Soviet U n i o n and other
nations to join w i t h us in seeking the c o m m o n g r o u n d u p o n
C O M M O N SENSE RENEWED 5
w h i c h all nations can achieve an e n d u r i n g and peaceful partner-

ship.
O p e n a n d verifiable cooperation between the major p o w e r s
can p r o v i d e a b e g i n n i n g for the c o m i n g A g e of Reason.
II
The Georgia
Guidestones
IT IS PROBABLE THAT HUMANITY possesses even n o w the k n o w l -

edge needed to establish l i m i t e d but effective w o r l d g o v e r n -
m e n t . That k n o w l e d g e must be propagated in the conscious-
ness of all m a n k i n d . T h e hearts of o u r h u m a n family must be
t o u c h e d a n d w a r m e d to w e l c o m e a global rule by reason.
The g r o u p consciousness of our race is b l i n d and perverse,
a n d is easily distracted by trivia w h e n it s h o u l d be focused on
Fundamentals. We are in a critical era. P o p u l a t i o n pressures are
creating political and economic crises throughout the w o r l d .
These m a k e m o r e difficult the b u i l d i n g of a rational w o r l d
society.
A first step w i l l be to convince a d o u b t i n g w o r l d that s u c h a
society is possible. Let us keep in view e n d u r i n g appeals to the
collective reason of h u m a n i t y . Let us d r a w attention to basic
problems. L e t us establish proper priorities. We m u s t order o u r
h o m e here on this planet before we reach for the stars.
H u m a n reason is the most p o w e r f u l agency on earth. We
must make h u m a n i t y aware that compassionate, enlightened
reason can control our destiny w i t h i n the limits inherent in our
natures.
It is difficult to seed w i s d o m in closed m i n d s . C u l t u r a l inertias
are not easily overcome. U n f o l d i n g w o r l d events a n d the sad
record of our race dramatize the shortcomings of traditional
6
THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES 7
agencies in g o v e r n i n g h u m a n affairs. Increasing crises may

make m a n k i n d w i l l i n g to accept a system of limited w o r l d l a w
that w i l l stress the responsibility o f nations to regulate their
internal affairs, and assist t h e m in the peaceful resolution of
international frictions. W i t h s u c h a system we c o u l d eliminate
w a r and p r o v i d e every p e r s o n an o p p o r t u n i t y to seek a life of
purpose a n d f u l f i l m e n t .
There are alternatives to A r m a g e d d o n . They are attainable.
But they w i l l not h a p p e n w i t h o u t coordinated efforts by
millions of dedicated people in all nations.
I am the originator of the G e o r g i a Guidestones and the sole
author of its inscriptions. I have h a d the assistance of a n u m b e r
of other A m e r i c a n citizens in b r i n g i n g the m o n u m e n t into
being. We have no mysterious purpose or ulterior motives. We
seek c o m m o n sense pathways to a peaceful w o r l d , without bias
for particular creeds or philosophies. Yet o u r message is in
some areas controversial. I have chosen to remain a n o n y m o u s
in order to a v o i d debate a n d contention. O u r guides must stand
o n their o w n merits.
Stonehenge a n d other vestiges of ancient thought arouse our
curiosity but carry no message for h u m a n guidance. T h e G u i d e -
stones have been erected to convey certain ideas across time to
others. We h o p e that these silent stones a n d their inscriptions
w i l l merit a degree of approval and acceptance d o w n the cen-
turies, a n d by their silent persistence hasten in s m a l l w a y s the
d a w n i n g of an age of reason.
T w o interested citizens of Elberton, G e o r g i a , have been i n -
strumental in b r i n g i n g this project to c o m p l e t i o n . They are not
sponsors, b u t have g i v e n invaluable assistance. T h e y have
served w i t h o u t compensation through motives of public
service, even though they may not necessarily agree with the
author in all his beliefs. M r . Wyatt M a r t i n , w h o has an interest
in G e o r g i a ' s history, served as the project's fiscal agent. He
assisted in selecting a site for the m o n u m e n t that w o u l d p r o -
vide public access w h i l e r e m a i n i n g w i t h i n budgetary limits. H e
enlisted c o m m u n i t y support for a s m a l l p u b l i c park as a site for
the m o n u m e n t .
M r . Joe Fendley, presently the m a y o r o f Elberton, quarried
the massive stones, e n g r a v e d o n t h e m o u r message, a n d
erected them on the site about eight miles north of Elberton.
8 THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES
T h e m o n u m e n t has b e e n n a m e d the G e o r g i a G u i d e s t o n e s . It
consists of four large upright blocks of granite, each two meters
w i d e a n d five meters h i g h . T h e y are arranged to mark the
l i m i t i n g positions of the rising and setting s u n in s u m m e r a n d
winter. T h e y s u r r o u n d a central stone w h i c h is oriented n o r t h
to s o u t h . A c h a n n e l t h r o u g h this stone is aligned w i t h the
celestial pole. On its south face is a s u n d i a l m a r k i n g n o o n t i m e
throughout the year on a closed curve figure w h i c h reflects the
equation of time, correcting the variations between solar time
and time as recorded w i t h u n i f o r m h u m a n hours. T h e capstone
is inscribed w i t h an appeal to reason in four archaic languages.
The m o n u m e n t is intended to combine certain attributes of the
Rosetta stone and m a n y of the standing stones w h i c h are to be
observed throughout Europe as remnants of past h u m a n
societies.
We believe each h u m a n b e i n g has a p u r p o s e a n d a significant
place in the D i v i n e p l a n of the universe. The celestial a l i g n -
ments of the stones s y m b o l i z e our need to be in h a r m o n y w i t h
eternal principles manifest in our natures a n d in the universe
around us.
T h e two large faces on each of the four central stones are i n -
scribed w i t h ten precepts or guides, the eight faces c a r r y i n g the
same text in a different language. T h e E n g l i s h version has fewer
than one h u n d r e d w o r d s . The languages w e r e selected for their
historical significance a n d because of their use by people n o w
l i v i n g . It w o u l d not have been possible for us to represent each
of the three t h o u s a n d languages k n o w n to exist in the h u m a n
f a m i l y today.
It is h o p e d that as time passes other stones can be erected in
outer circles to mark the migrations of the m o o n and possibly
other celestial events. These stones w o u l d carry o u r thoughts in
additional languages. Perhaps the stones w i l l be copied in other
lands by those w h o share our hope for a peaceful w o r l d based
u p o n shared ethical values a n d a c o m m o n respect for h u m a n
reason.
T h e G u i d e s t o n e s are not intended to have sectarian appeal.
T h e y are a r e m i n d e r of the challenges that face present a n d
future generations of h u m a n i t y . T h e y are intended to encour-
age efforts to meet those challenges rationally, w i t h o u t favoring
particular religions or political systems. We believe o u r
thoughts are rational proposals for d e a l i n g w i t h the p r o b l e m s

that confront us. T h e y are i n t e n d e d to stimulate discussion a n d
logical, compassionate action.
H u m a n s are special creatures. We are shepherds for a l l earth-
ly life. We are players in the eternal struggle between g o o d a n d
evil—the forces w h i c h b u i l d a n d those w h i c h destroy. W e must
strive to o p t i m i z e our existence, both for ourselves and for
those w h o w i l l follow. We must accept the g u i d i n g role w h i c h
we can infer from our observations of the h u m a n situation in
the complete mantle of life on earth and in the universe of
struggle, conflict, and endless change. P e r h a p s these
phenomena reflect eternal turmoils in the v e r y soul of G o d .
We appear to be the major agency t h r o u g h w h i c h g o o d and
evil qualities of the spirit become active in o u r w o r l d . W i t h i n us
there are elements of love, mercy, and c o m p a s s i o n . There also
are hate, cruelty, and c o l d indifference. We appear to be the
only agents capable of consciously w o r k i n g to i m p r o v e this i m -
perfect w o r l d . It is not enough for us to s i m p l y drift w i t h the
current. The rational w o r l d of t o m o r r o w lies ever upstream.
T h e most p r e s s i n g w o r l d e n v i r o n m e n t a l problem is the n e e d
to control h u m a n n u m b e r s . In recent centuries technology a n d
abundant fuels have m u l t i p l i e d h u m a n i t y far b e y o n d what is
prudent or l o n g sustainable. We can foresee the i m p e n d i n g
exhaustion of certain energy sources a n d the depletion of m a n y
vital r a w materials.
To c o n t r o l our reproduction is crucial. This w i l l require major
changes in o u r attitudes a n d customs. Unfortunately, the i n -
ertia of h u m a n habits can be extreme. This is especially true
w h e n those for w h o m c u s t o m is a d o m i n a n t force are u n -
informed of the need for change.
N e a r l y every nation is overpopulated in terms of a perpetual
balance w i t h nature. We are like a fleet of o v e r c r o w d e d lifeboats
confronted with an approaching tempest. In the U n i t e d States
we are seriously overtaxing our resources to m a i n t a i n our cur-
rent p o p u l a t i o n in the existing state of prosperity. We are
destroying o u r farmland, and have g r o w n dangerously d e p e n -
dent u p o n external sources for o i l , metals, and other n o n -
renewable resources. N a t i o n s such as Japan, H o l l a n d , and H a i t i
are even m o r e seriously overpopulated a n d therefore in greater
jeopardy.
R e p r o d u c t i o n is no longer exclusively a personal matter.

Society must have a voice and some p o w e r of direction in
regulating this vital function. T h e desires of h u m a n couples are
v e r y important, but they must not neglect a consideration of
society at large. The general welfare of this and future genera-
tions must be g i v e n increasing consideration as we develop
plans for rational guidance of our procreation.
N o person s h o u l d b e brought into the w o r l d u n w a n t e d a n d
u n n e e d e d . No c h i l d s h o u l d be conceived through carelessness.
If each life is to have v a l u e , every conception must be part of an
ordered plan of t w o parents w h o are aware of their responsi-
bilities to that c h i l d a n d to society.
It is vitally important that each national government have a
considered " P o p u l a t i o n P o l i c y . " T h e need is urgent and
s h o u l d take precedence over other problems, even those
relating to national defense. P o p u l a t i o n control is a global prob-
l e m . The actions of one nation have far reaching effects on
others. O v e r c r o w d i n g h u m a n beings in conditions of squalor
a n d ignorance is d e h u m a n i s i n g . It is an e v i l w h i c h must not be
tolerated.
Each n a t i o n m u s t consider the present and future availability
of all resources required for its long c o n t i n u i n g survival. W i t h
proper allowances for the interchange of commodities that are
overabundant in s o m e areas a n d scarce in others, rational esti-
mates must be made of the optimum p o p u l a t i o n w h i c h can be
sustained by those resources on a perpetual time scale. Each
nation must make this determination for its o w n people. It m a y
give assistance to its neighbors as it chooses a n d as its
assistance is requested. But in the final analysis each nation
m u s t determine its o w n population goals and must formulate
plans that w i l l achieve them. N o nation, having regulated its
o w n p o p u l a t i o n , s h o u l d be expected to b u r d e n its citizens w i t h
the u n w a n t e d surplus of i m p r o v i d e n t neighbors.
N a t i o n s w i t h o p t i m u m p o p u l a t i o n s c a n p r o v i d e comfort and
education for their o w n citizens a n d can give assistance to
others. They can be g o o d world citizens. N a t i o n s w h i c h are
o v e r c r o w d e d and poverty stricken are problems for the entire
w o r l d community.
There are still significant reserves of fossil fuels a n d m i n e r a l
resources, sufficient perhaps for a century of adjustment. But
time is r u n n i n g out. Immediate action is required to avert

disaster.
A few generations of single c h i l d families w i l l make possible
dramatic i m p r o v e m e n t s of l i v i n g standards in even the most
impoverished countries. In all nations a major determinant of
living conditions w i l l be the ratio of available resources to the
number of citizens w h o must share t h e m .
Irresponsible c h i l d b e a r i n g must be discouraged by legal a n d
social pressures. C o u p l e s w h o cannot p r o v i d e a decent home
and support for a c h i l d s h o u l d not produce c h i l d r e n to be a
burden for their neighbors. B r i n g i n g u n n e e d e d c h i l d r e n into an
overcrowded lifeboat is e v i l . It is unjust to those c h i l d r e n . It is
harmful for the other occupants and for all l i v i n g things.
Society s h o u l d not encourage or subsidize such behaviour.
K n o w l e d g e and techniques for regulating h u m a n reproduc-
tion are n o w in existence. M o r a l a n d political leaders t h r o u g h -
out the w o r l d have a grave responsibility to m a k e this k n o w l -
edge a n d these techniques generally available. This c o u l d be
done w i t h a fraction of the funds n o w devoted to military pur-
poses. In the long run, s u c h action c o u l d do more than a n y -
thing else to reduce the tensions w h i c h lead to war.
Of the m a n y means already available for c o n t r o l l i n g h u m a n
fecundity, some are acceptable to most cultural groups; others
are not. Better, safer, and more easily mass-applied techniques
are urgently needed, especially in under-developed nations
w h i c h are experiencing major reductions in death rates t h r o u g h
basic medical and sanitation practices. M u c h controversy n o w
rages over the acceptability of abortion as a last resort for
eliminating u n w a n t e d pregnancies. Heat engendered by these
discussions may subside s o m e w h a t as we better u n d e r s t a n d
the nature of life, and discuss further the p h i l o s o p h i c a l ques-
tion of " e n s o u l m e n t , " or the acquisition of h u m a n nature by a
fertilised o v u m . W e k n o w that the h u m a n " z y g o t e " per-
petuates a flame of life w h i c h began on earth m o r e than t w o
billion years ago—a flame w h i c h has been transmitted from
generation to generation in a c o n t i n u o u s u n f o l d i n g of the
potentials for variety w h i c h were present in the first l i v i n g cells.
We cannot p o i n t out the precise m o m e n t in that o n g o i n g suc-
cession of l i v i n g things w h e n life w a s transformed from some-
thing definitively less than h u m a n into a n e w form represent-
i n g a higher order of life, awareness, a n d intelligence. M u c h

evidence suggests that we are still very close to the a n t h r o p o i d
apes, not o n l y in our general b o d y structure a n d p h y s i o l o g y ,
but also in the v e r y precise patterns of the genetic c o d i n g w i t h i n
our c h r o m o s o m e s . It has been estimated that the several b i l l i o n
letters of o u r genetic alphabet differ in fewer t h a n t w o per cent.
of their sequences from those of a g o r i l l a .
We do k n o w that the fertilized h u m a n egg is "totipotent"—
capable of d e v e l o p i n g into a complete i n d i v i d u a l , or e v e n into
several identical i n d i v i d u a l s . But it has also been learned that all
l i v i n g cells in an i n d i v i d u a l h u m a n being—even s k i n or white
b l o o d cells—have w i t h i n t h e m identical potentials. Each is, in
theory at least, capable of reproducing the i n d i v i d u a l from
w h i c h they d e r i v e . M a n y plants and animals m u l t i p l y asexual-
l y , r e p r o d u c i n g themselves f r o m b o d y cells that are not a part of
the reproductive organs. Fruit trees and many plants have been
c l o n e d in this m a n n e r for centuries, each generation d u p l i c a t i n g
the genetic nature of the original t w i g or bud from w h i c h the
entire succession w a s d e r i v e d . In recent years similar c l o n i n g
has b e e n achieved w i t h certain animals, i n c l u d i n g some verte-
brates. In theory a h u m a n b e i n g c o u l d be r e p r o d u c e d in like
fashion.
A h u m a n b o d y sheds m i l l i o n s of cells from its i n t e r n a l a n d ex-
ternal surfaces every d a y . Each of those cells appears capable of
r e p r o d u c i n g the complete b o d y from w h i c h it falls.
S o m e dedicated and sincere opponents of abortion believe it
is murder to destroy an early h u m a n embryo—even at the
single cell stage of d e v e l o p m e n t . H o w these i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l
regard the i m p l i c a t i o n s of c l o n i n g h u m a n beings from s k i n cells
is yet to be learned.
In the light of c o n v e n t i o n a l w i s d o m and traditional morality,
abortion must be considered an e v i l . But there can be even
greater evils. C o n s i d e r a pregnancy resulting from rape or i n -
cest—especially i n a y o u n g girl w h o s e b o d y may have b e e n i n -
v a d e d in a m a n n e r m o r e repugnant t h a n the military invasions
of mere geography that result in wholesale killings of innocent
y o u n g m e n drafted against their w i l l into military service to
fight against equally u n w i l l i n g y o u n g m e n o n the o p p o s i n g
side. W h i c h k i l l i n g s are murder?
Sometimes we must choose the least evil w i t h i n an array of

evils. Certain abortions m a y be lesser evils than available alter-
natives a n d thus be morally defensible. H o p e f u l l y the d e v e l o p -
ment of absolutely effective m e t h o d s for a v o i d i n g u n w a n t e d
pregnancies w i l l make these questions irrelevant. O u r repro-
duction w i l l become fully controllable through h u m a n e and
rational means. Failure to utilize those means m a y ultimately be
the greatest evil of a l l .
In these delicate areas of moral judgment h u m a n i t y m u s t rely
on the collective conscience of our race. No single i n d i v i d u a l or
group s h o u l d i m p o s e its p o s i t i o n on others u n t i l a consensus
has been developed from the best informed and most compas-
sionate s p o k e s m e n from all groups.
Each b i r d in a m i g r a t i n g flock has in its n e r v o u s system
mechanisms for g u i d i n g its course to the north or to the s o u t h
in a manner w h i c h depends u p o n faint perceptions of star pat-
terns, magnetic fields, and solar m o t i o n s . Y e t those perceptions
are so feeble that a single b i r d , r e l y i n g u p o n its o w n i m p u l s e s ,
might go astray. Nature has e v o l v e d patterns w h i c h g r o u p
thousands of i n d i v i d u a l s into great flocks w i t h i n w h i c h the
tendencies of i n d i v i d u a l s are c o m b i n e d i n t o a unified g u i d i n g
force for the entire assembly. Perceptions of the larger g r o u p ,
although still susceptible to failure, are in most cases successful
in b r i n g i n g all the members safely to their goal. There may be
safety in causing our larger m o r a l issues to be resolved t h r o u g h
informed deliberations by the best i n f o r m e d m i n d s of the entire
human family.
A diverse a n d prosperous w o r l d p o p u l a t i o n in perpetual
balance w i t h global resources w i l l be the cornerstone for a
rational w o r l d order. People o f g o o d w i l l i n a l l nations must
work to establish that balance.
We must have confidence in the informed judgment of
humanity. T h e problems of p o p u l a t i o n c o n t r o l can be solved
before mass starvation or conflict destroys the earth. H u m a n
reason can meet the challenges thrust u p o n it in future ages.
Let us a n d those w h o come after us a p p l y that force in all areas
of our lives.
A w o r l d language need not eliminate national languages.
Every s p o k e n language is useful, for it helps to segregate its
unique segment of h u m a n i t y from the general mass, p e r m i t t i n g
it to d e v e l o p its potentials in its o w n environment, influenced

by its o w n traditions. Variety is intrinsically g o o d a n d m u s t be
encouraged. Literature a n d all the arts flourish under the
sheltering protection of a language w h i c h has d e v e l o p e d in a
c o m m o n culture. But national languages may also be d i v i s i v e ,
a n d can permit islands of m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g to d e v e l o p a n d
g r o w into sources of major difficulty.
No language in general use today has been consciously
designed by h u m a n effort. A t t e m p t s to create a designed lan-
guage have been adaptations f r o m existing patterns. They have
not been based on fundamental analyses of o u r speech mechan-
isms a n d t h o u g h t patterns. W i d e l y s p o k e n languages through-
out the h u m a n species reflect o u r i n n e r nature as it has e v o l v e d
on the tree of life. T h e y share m a n y c o m m o n features, but con-
tinue to change a n d to evolve as if they too are l i v i n g creatures.
We suggest that scholars throughout the w o r l d begin n o w to
establish n e w bases u p o n w h i c h later generations c a n d e v e l o p a
totally new universal language for m e n and machines. It w i l l be
adapted to o u r speech mechanisms a n d to the language
faculties a n d patterns impressed in o u r n e r v o u s systems. Its
s p o k e n a n d p r i n t e d forms w i l l be capable of accurate inter-
change by electromechanical means.
P r o p e r l y designed a n d stabilized, a c o m m o n tongue for all
nations may some day span chasms w h i c h w o u l d otherwise
d i v i d e the h u m a n family. It w i l l make possible the accurate
transferral of t h o u g h t d o w n the l o n g reaches of time. It n e e d
not be s p o k e n b y all. It w i l l be most useful for those w h o bridge
international barriers, and for scholars in the remote future w h o
interpret the past. It w i l l h e l p m a i n t a i n u n i t y i n d i v e r s i t y .
W h e n the central cluster of the G e o r g i a G u i d e s t o n e s w a s
completed o u r small s p o n s o r i n g g r o u p w a s disbanded, l e a v i n g
the m o n u m e n t in the safekeeping of the people of Elbert C o u n -
ty, G e o r g i a . If the inscriptions are d i m m e d by w i n d and sun
a n d time we ask y o u to cut t h e m deeper. If the stones s h o u l d
fall, or be scattered by people of little u n d e r s t a n d i n g , we ask
y o u t o raise t h e m u p again.
We i n v i t e all w h o share our goals to extend the m o n u m e n t
w i t h other stones to carry its thoughts in languages not already
represented. A d d e d stones oriented w i t h celestial p h e n o m e n a
can continue the central theme of the G u i d e s t o n e s : the accept-

ance of universal, eternal principles in directing the course of
human affairs.
T h e guides are not religious. They are not c o m m a n d m e n t s .
We have no authority to c o m m a n d . Affirmation of our thoughts
can o n l y occur as they are e n d o r s e d and s u p p o r t e d by the
reasoned j u d g m e n t of this a n d future generations. We invite
h u m a n beings of all persuasions to consider t h e m w i t h o p e n
minds, adapting them to the c h a n g i n g circumstances of
u n k n o w n future centuries.
LET THESE B E G U I D E S T O N E S T O A N A G E O F R E A S O N
1. M a i n t a i n h u m a n i t y u n d e r 500,000,000 in perpetual balance

w i t h nature.
2. G u i d e reproduction w i s e l y , i m p r o v i n g fitness and d i -
versity.
3. Unite h u m a n i t y w i t h a l i v i n g , n e w language.
4. Rule p a s s i o n , faith, tradition, a n d a l l things w i t h tempered
reason.
5. Protect people and nations w i t h fair l a w s and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally, r e s o l v i n g external disputes in
a w o r l d court.
7. A v o i d petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights w i t h social duties.
9. Prize t r u t h , beauty, love . . .seeking h a r m o n y w i t h the
Infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the earth . . . leave r o o m for nature—
leave r o o m for nature.
III
Cultural Evolution
THE H U M A N S P E C I E S N O W N U M B E R S nearly 5 billion i n d i v i d u a l s .

S t r i p p e d of o u r acquired k n o w l e d g e , we w o u l d be helpless,
naked, ape-like creatures, totally i g n o r a n t and incapable of
survival in all but the most favorable circumstances.
E a c h of us enters this w o r l d in a completely dependent c o n d i -
tion. Fortunately, of all the w a r m b l o o d e d animals we have the
longest c h i l d h o o d . This permits us an interval in w h i c h our
m i n d s become p r o g r a m m e d w i t h a share of the information i n -
herited by our family and society from hundreds of past genera-
tions of our species. The k n o w l e d g e of h u m a n i t y has been p a i n -
fully accumulated over many thousands of years. There have
been infrequent additions and changes, a n d occasional losses.
But the central e n d u r i n g core of s u r v i v a l w i s d o m has b e e n suffi-
cient to enable our ancestral lines to endure to the present.
O u r m i n d s have an e n o r m o u s capacity for receiving and stor-
ing information. E v e n with the increasing pace of n e w dis-
coveries in the past 300 years, no h u m a n brain has ever become
totally saturated w i t h k n o w l e d g e . T h e collective capacity of o u r
racial intelligence is far b e y o n d our present level of accomplish-
ment.
We share m a n y anatomical and chemical features w i t h other
creatures, not o n l y in the structure of o u r bodies, but also in the
basic design of o u r central nervous s y s t e m . O u r most signifi-
cant anatomical feature is the expansion a n d elaboration of o u r
b r a i n . H e r e is centered our capacity for storing and m a n i p u -
16
CULTURAL EVOLUTION 17
lating information. H e r e also are the neural circuits w h i c h

mediate our ethical qualities, our consciousness, our ambitions,
and o u r awareness of the h i g h goals w h i c h are ours to achieve.
These features, together w i t h our biological adaptability a n d
our prehensile hands, have raised our species to a n e w level in
the evolution of life a n d have given us the capacity to establish
d o m i n i o n over the earth a n d all other l i v i n g things.
The science of genetics has p r o v i d e d us w i t h r u d i m e n t a r y
understanding of the manner in w h i c h a h u m a n body and b r a i n
develop from a single l i v i n g cell, the fertilized o v u m . That t i n y
miracle combines contributions from two parents in approxi-
mately equal portions. Its central nucleus contains a genetic
blueprint w h i c h spells out the general characteristics of o u r
species, together w i t h the m i n o r variations w h i c h determine
our racial a n d i n d i v i d u a l features.
The 46 chromosomes w h i c h identify the cell from w h i c h a
complete h u m a n b e i n g w i l l d e v e l o p contain 3 b i l l i o n pairs of
cross-linked chemical bases. These bases are of o n l y 4 k i n d s , yet
they comprise an alphabet w h i c h spells out the patterns of life
for each of the m i l l i o n s of species and all their i n d i v i d u a l varia-
tions w h i c h are to be f o u n d on earth today.
Provided w i t h a suitable e n v i r o n m e n t w i t h i n our mother's
womb, the fertilized o v u m from w h i c h each of us springs
becomes a fantastic chemical factory as it begins to d i v i d e a n d
multiply, fabricating trillions of descendant cells, each of w h i c h
contains a duplicate of the genetic d o c u m e n t a t i o n w h i c h identi-
fies a specific i n d i v i d u a l . Each cell also contains modifiers
w h i c h are precisely triggered to establish detailed changes in
form and function as the e m b r y o undergoes g r o w t h a n d
development. The i m m e n s e l y complex and coordinated se-
quence of cell divisions results in the formation of a perfect
machine, a h u m a n body, a l i v i n g miracle. Each cell takes its
proper place and begins its specific functions w i t h i n the c o m -
posite whole. Collectively the trillions of cells w h i c h compose
each of us are orchestrated by intrinsic checks and balances to
establish the o n g o i n g s y m p h o n y of chemical interactions w h i c h
constitutes our h u m a n lives. Each life may continue for four
score a n d ten years, gradually accumulating the flaws of wear
and senility w h i c h lead relentlessly to somatic death, the u l t i -
mate fate of all l i v i n g things. O n l y the germ cells endure to
18 CULTURAL EVOLUTION
carry on the p h e n o m e n o n of life in a potentially endless chain

of s u r v i v a l and further elaboration, extending o n w a r d in
earthly time to limits b e y o n d o u r k e n .
We h u m a n beings and our genetic blueprint bear close resem-
blances to other l i v i n g things. Structurally we are very m u c h
l i k e the larger apes. Some of our proteins a n d cellular details are
almost indistinguishable from those of other w a r m blooded
animals. Certain e n z y m e systems w i t h i n us can be traced across
the spectrum of l i v i n g things in patterns w h i c h suggest inter-
relationships a n d sequential modifications that have occurred
over l o n g periods of evolutionary time.
V i e w e d objectively, our physical structure is not impressively
different from some other l i v i n g forms. We are not the
strongest, nor the fleetest, nor the largest of the animal k i n g -
d o m we have come to dominate.
O u r greatest d i s t i n g u i s h i n g feature is invisible a n d intangible.
It is our total cultural heritage, the composite of acquired knowl-
edge w h i c h is m a i n t a i n e d a n d transferred in our libraries and in
the information stores of o u r arts a n d sciences, our trades,
traditions, a n d a l l the complex l i v i n g patterns of h u m a n society.
The capacity for assimilating that heritage and e n r i c h i n g it is
mysteriously contained in the trillion or more cells w h i c h
constitute the l i v i n g brain in each of us. Collectively these
features determine our national and i n d i v i d u a l awareness, a n d
o u r character.
Instinctive patterns of behavior that are p r o m i n e n t in other
creatures are less dominant in o u r o w n species. W i t h o u t ac-
quired k n o w l e d g e we cannot b u i l d a nest, or s i n g a song, or
migrate w i t h the seasons, as do the birds. We do experience the
drive for s u r v i v a l w h i c h m i l l i o n s of years of evolutionary com-
petition has instilled in us. We have strong intrinsic impulses
w h i c h motivate our reproductive behavior, our acquisitiveness,
a n d our social a n d antisocial tendencies. But in o u r daily lives
these are restrained a n d guided by the exigencies of o u r c o m -
m u n a l existence.
O n l y at birth do i n b o r n patterns completely dominate our
behavior. A s n e w b o r n infants w e k n o w without instruction
h o w to nurse, to cry w h e n in distress, a n d to recoil from a pain-
ful stimulus. B e y o n d that we are at the mercy of the elements
unless protected and cared for by o u r family and friends.
V e r y soon after birth we begin a life-long process of acquiring

the k n o w l e d g e and life patterns of our h u m a n environment,
assisted by m a n y social agencies, the most important of w h i c h
is our family unit. H e r e we are sheltered and n u r t u r e d w h i l e
our m i n d s are most receptive and plastic. Here are m o l d e d and
crystalized the basic attitudes a n d fixed response patterns that
will shape our character.
The process of k n o w l e d g e transferral or m e n t a l p r o g r a m m i n g
is ruled more than we realize by the powers of habit. Patterns of
l i v i n g w h i c h have p r o v e d successful are passed d o w n through
the ages surprisingly u n c h a n g e d . Transmittal of these patterns
from one generation to the next is accomplished more or less
unconsciously through a m u l t i t u d e of i n t e r h u m a n relationships
and agencies, i n c l u d i n g language, c u s t o m , manners, tradition,
literary legacies, legal systems, and m a n y others. Religious
philosophies a n d organizations have l o n g been important i n
shaping the behavioral attitudes of h u m a n beings. They w i l l
continue that role in future ages as religious teachers adapt their
doctrines to the ever c h a n g i n g h u m a n c o n d i t i o n .
We are i m m e r s e d in the myriads of social and cultural
elements w h i c h s u r r o u n d us. T h e y become a part of us as we
take our place in the larger w o r l d of h u m a n affairs. T h e y shape
our attitudes in all that we see and feel and do. The particular
cultural heritage into w h i c h we are thrust becomes almost as i n -
delibly a part of our nature as o u r genetically d e t e r m i n e d
physical features. O u r cultural birthright is what makes one
person an A m e r i c a n , another a R u s s i a n , and still another a
primitive tribesman i n N e w G u i n e a .
U n q u e s t i o n i n g acceptance of p r e v a i l i n g values can be a g o o d
thing. G u i d e l i n e s that have preserved our lineage have p r o v e d
themselves by s u r m o u n t i n g past hazards; they s h o u l d not be
discarded casually.
A s each n e w b o r n baby enters its particular niche i n h u m a n
society it begins to accumulate the patterns of u n d e r s t a n d i n g
and behavior that prevail in its family a n d nation. W i t h further
growth a n d learning, each c h i l d takes its place in the h u m a n
story, a never e n d i n g tapestry that began in the remote past, far
b e y o n d the d a w n of history. E a c h life becomes a thread in the
tapestry, i n t e r w o v e n w i t h the life threads of others to outline a
minute segment of a cosmic design w h i c h extends across the
endless reaches of time, revealing complex variations, i n n o v a -

tions, a n d mysteries.
We s e l d o m question the attitudes, beliefs, a n d values w h i c h
we absorb by cultural osmosis d u r i n g our lifetimes. C h a n g e
makes us uncomfortable. We are s l o w to challenge the o p i n i o n s
of o u r elders. O u r instinctive reluctance to change customary
l i v i n g patterns may have d e v e l o p e d in our evolutionary past as
a survival mechanism.
Toleration of established routines is neither g o o d nor e v i l per
se. C o n f o r m a n c e w i t h p r o v e n standards inherited from past
generations has often sustained h u m a n societies t h r o u g h perils
that otherwise might have p r o v e n fatal. C u l t u r a l inertias c a n be
beneficial. A t h o u s a n d people w e l d e d together by c o m m o n
principles can be more effective in the w o r l d than a t h o u s a n d
i n d i v i d u a l s going their separate ways. Yet a t h o u s a n d in-
d i v i d u a l s forced by tradition to follow the w r o n g path m a y be
destroyed if they fail to h e e d warnings from nonconformists
w h o perceive dangers u n r e c o g n i z e d by the general mass of
h u m a n i t y . C h a n g e s in our collective behavior standards are
sometimes necessary, although prudence requires that they be
m a d e w i t h p r o p e r deliberation.
A t a n y m o m e n t i n history o u r cultural institutions d i s p l a y a
w i d e variety. E a c h social g r o u p is u n i q u e . Different tribes a n d
different nations have their o w n combinations of cultural
features. R e v i e w of the w o r l d w i d e store of k n o w l e d g e a n d
c u s t o m from one millennium to the next suggests w h a t has been
aptly termed " c u l t u r a l e v o l u t i o n " — t h e progressive modifica-
tion a n d adaptation of the " f l o r a a n d f a u n a " of social elements
similar in m a n y w a y s to the o n g o i n g modifications of genetics
in l i v i n g things. H u m a n institutions a n d beliefs are selected for
s u r v i v a l by o v e r c o m i n g challenges encountered in the c h a n g i n g
circumstances of life as we move d o w n the l o n g river of t i m e .
In the struggle for s u r v i v a l a m o n g c o m p e t i n g h u m a n groups,
cultural traits inherited from ancient forebears w i l l often deter-
m i n e w h i c h g r o u p , o r tribe, o r nation w i l l survive, a n d w h i c h
w i l l fall by the wayside.
Biologically, the ancient R o m a n s differed little from their c o n -
temporaries. T h e y built a n d maintained a n e n d u r i n g empire
because on balance their laws, patriotism, ideals, military
organizations, and traditions m a d e t h e m stronger a n d more
dynamic than their neighbors. T h e y prevailed because of their

cultural e n d o w m e n t . T h e y extended their d o m i n i o n over most
of the c i v i l i z e d W e s t e r n w o r l d . S o m e features of their society
survive today in our laws and traditions. A n d their cultural
heritage has e n d o w e d succeeding generations w i t h a fitness for
survival w h i c h persists unto this day.
The social institutions, religious philosophies, a n d other
agencies that n o w exist have p r o v e d their fitness s i m p l y by sur-
v i v i n g . That fitness continues to be tested as the h u m a n carriers
are confronted w i t h endless new challenges.
Unfit or o u t m o d e d cultural elements in earlier societies often
have weakened or destroyed the very people w h o were their
bearers.
R a p i d l y changing times test the social adaptability of o u r
cultural heritage. Excessive rigidity or u n w i s e flexibility c a n
have equally disastrous consequences. We must accept change,
but do so thoughtfully, w i t h appropriate regard for the larger
framework of life. We w i l l be wise to m a i n t a i n great respect for
traditional values. H u m a n nature has not changed in historical
times. Traditional attitudes of society d e a l i n g w i t h the family,
sexual conduct, integrity in personal a n d business relation-
ships, and w i t h countless other ethical principles that have sur-
vived the tests of time s h o u l d not casually be discarded s i m p l y
because technology has modified h u m a n l i v i n g conditions in
the m o d e r n w o r l d . Increasing k n o w l e d g e has not c h a n g e d o u r
fundamental biological nature.
In A m e r i c a today we are w i t n e s s i n g a n u m b e r of social
changes that are causes for concern. The first has to do w i t h
widespread instability of the family unit. The second relates to
an increasing dependency of m a n y citizens u p o n government
agencies for their financial support through a p h i l o s o p h y of
" e n t i t l e m e n t , " fostered by elected officials, w h i c h assumes that
Americans w i t h financial problems are automatically e n d o w e d
w i t h the right to preempt from tax p a y i n g fellow citizens funds
to support them in idleness a n d comfort. The third cause for
grave concern relates to the w i d e l y apparent dependence of
many potentially productive citizens u p o n drugs and alcohol as
a means for narcotizing or a v o i d i n g the stresses of life's realities
in o u r industrialized society.
A stable a n d secure family u n i t is a characteristic of the most

e n d u r i n g l y successful nations. In recognition of this fact most
societies have established strong legal a n d social sanctions to
p r o m o t e family stability, protecting the role of parents, and par-
ticularly that of the mother. In most cases, marriage has been a
b i n d i n g legal and social contract, s u p p o r t e d a n d i n t e r w o v e n
w i t h laws relating to parental responsibility, children's rights,
a n d the o w n e r s h i p and inheritance of property.
In A m e r i c a no other contracts are entered into w i t h so m u c h
ceremony and public d i s p l a y as a m o d e r n w e d d i n g , complete
w i t h rented finery, impressive religious services, a n d large
receptions. F e w other legal agreements take place before s u c h
assemblies of witnesses. No others i n v o l v e such s o l e m n p u b l i c
avowals of lifelong obligations to be terminated o n l y by death.
Yet, despite the fanfare and promises, no other contractual
arrangements are so flagrantly and q u i c k l y a b a n d o n e d w h e n
one or both parties g r o w tired, or d i s i l l u s i o n e d , or merely b o r e d
w i t h the obligations a s s u m e d under the marriage agreement.
T o d a y , nearly half of A m e r i c a n marriages end in divorce, dis-
r u p t i n g the lives of the partners a n d causing u n t o l d social a n d
p s y c h o l o g i c a l consequences for the innocent c h i l d r e n c o n -
ceived in the emotional sunshine w h i c h has w a r m e d the rela-
tionship in its early phases. D i v o r c e shatters the home e n v i r o n -
m e n t and disrupts the family relationship—a social arrange-
m e n t that has p r o v e n most successful in n u r t u r i n g c h i l d r e n
t h r o u g h their formative years, p r o d u c i n g stable, w e l l adjusted
adults. H o w m u c h future damage w i l l stem from society's
tolerance of the present wholesale abandonment of marital a n d
parental obligations by so m a n y of o u r citizens? What w i l l be
the social and c i v i c character of c h i l d r e n w h o s e fathers have
a b a n d o n e d their families, very often w i t h inadequate financial
support, nearly always d e p r i v i n g their c h i l d r e n of the p s y c h o -
logical reinforcement of a strong father figure of integrity?
M a r i t a l stability is a legitimate c o n c e r n of society as a w h o l e .
O u r national character a n d strength are threatened w h e n we
permit without effective protest today's w i d e s p r e a d a b a n d o n -
m e n t of marital obligations. We can deal w i t h the p r o b l e m by
d e v i s i n g a formal code of social behavior, a n d enforcing it w i t h
effective legal a n d economic supports. C h i l d r e n a n d adults
must be made aware of the obligations as well as the benefits of
citizenship. Irresponsible parenting m u s t not be tolerated or

encouraged.
M a n k i n d ' s need for m o r a l guidance is n o w greater than ever
before. The threat of nuclear w a r clearly calls for the application
of ethical principles in international affairs. It is not too late. Let
us hope that religious a n d p h i l o s o p h i c a l leaders w i l l s o o n join
in g u i d i n g h u m a n behavior in a manner w h i c h w i l l be accept-
able to the people of all nations.
A m e r i c a n self-reliance is another virtue that needs renewal.
Nearly half of our citizens receive government support. Distant
officials take the earnings f r o m some citizens and give t h e m to
others t h r o u g h a variety of entitlements and t h r o u g h direct a n d
indirect subsidies. S u c h programs invariably stem from g o o d
intentions, but seldom are of lasting benefit a n d too often have
unexpected consequences in h a m p e r i n g productive efforts by
the public at large. W h i l e collective action is no doubt required
for specific social problems, it is likely that greater overall ad-
vantage w o u l d accrue from tax incentive programs that s t i m u -
late private initiative in the generation of economic activities
and in the creation of full e m p l o y m e n t for all citizens capable of
productive labor. A properly tuned incentive e c o n o m y w i l l pro-
vide greater benefits for all and w i l l b r i n g the a d d e d advantage
of maintaining our personal liberties.
The present epidemic of d r u g a n d a l c o h o l abuse raises m a n y
grave questions. We are confronted w i t h a great array of social,
economic, a n d military problems. S o l v i n g them w i l l require the
conscious efforts of us all, g u i d e d by o u r brightest and most
innovative m i n d s . W h e n potential leaders become fogged w i t h
drugs, society loses the advantage of their initiative a n d
abilities. We become d e p r i v e d of our most powerful tools in the
forging of future progress. M o r e must be done to educate our
people to the miserable effects of toxic substance abuse. We
must reach y o u n g m i n d s before they are l u r e d into the fantasy
world of c h e m i c a l nirvana, from w h i c h many, once trapped,
will never return. Let us p r o v i d e better role models for impres-
sionable y o u n g m i n d s than we n o w permit in the f o r m of enter-
tainers a n d other influential public and private citizens w h o
openly or covertly endorse the use of chemical escapes from u n -
pleasant realities.
24
Society today is u n d e r g o i n g great t u r m o i l a n d change. M a n y

traditional cultural agencies are being rigorously tested and
challenged as they encounter m o d e r n needs.
C o n s c i o u s p l a n n i n g and intelligent control of the cultural
evolution n o w in progress around us w i l l hasten the establish-
ment of an e n d u r i n g A g e of Reason.
IV
Guiding Human
Reproduction
THE M O S T I M P O R T A N T F U N C T I O N of every species is the procrea-

tion of its successors. T h i s is especially true for h u m a n i t y . We
must perfect the ethical a n d legal constraints that regulate our
conduct in this vital area so as to safeguard the l o n g range i n -
terests of society. Careless or p u r e l y self-centered actions by
some must not be permitted to injure others.
Industrialized nations are increasingly b u r d e n e d by the social
and monetary costs of raising c h i l d r e n p r o d u c e d by irresponsi-
ble and inadequate parents. This is a grave injustice for those
children and for the taxpayers w h o are b u r d e n e d w i t h the
expense of p r o v i d i n g t h e m w i t h food, clothing, education, a n d
housing. No society can r e m a i n strong and productive if it
tolerates wholesale irresponsible parenting.
No longer is reproduction exclusively a personal matter
between t w o i n d i v i d u a l s . M o r e than any other h u m a n action, it
affects all of society, n o w and in future ages.
Society c a n p r o v i d e practical incentives a n d disincentives to
guide i n d i v i d u a l s in their child-bearing so as to protect the
legitimate, l o n g t e r m welfare of the larger social g r o u p . T h i s
must be d o n e , e v e n t h o u g h at times the w i s h e s of i n d i v i d u a l s
must be made subordinate to the needs of the state. Reasonable
compromises can achieve a balance between the i n d i v i d u a l ' s
rights and those of other citizens.
25
26 GUIDING HUMAN REPRODUCTION
T h e plants and animals a r o u n d us have s u r v i v e d because

nature e n d o w e d their ancestral lines w i t h superabundant
p o w e r s of r e p r o d u c t i o n . For a l l but the few species we directly
manage, this function is carried out reliably a n d automatically,
like the c h a n g i n g of the seasons. V i t a l forces cause l i v i n g things
to reproduce in excessive n u m b e r s ; but c o m p e t i t i o n for food
a n d l i v i n g space, a n d hostile natural c o n d i t i o n s w e e d out the
weak and the defective, thus relieving excessive strains on
the sustaining e n v i r o n m e n t . U l t i m a t e l y , there results for each
species a d y n a m i c balance w i t h its s u r r o u n d i n g s a n d its com-
petitors.
The earthly role of h u m a n i t y has undergone great changes in
the past few t h o u s a n d years. O u r mental p o w e r s have trans-
formed us from s m a l l , scattered tribal groups of primitive
hunters into a global society of five b i l l i o n . We have mecha-
n i z e d farming and i n d u s t r y ; we harness vast amounts of
energy to operate a global industrial-agricultural complex w h i c h
has changed the face of the earth. We have r e v o l u t i o n i z e d our
w a y of life. We m u s t n o w accommodate o u r reproductive be-
h a v i o r to o u r altered status.
In o u r early history we developed complicated social codes
a n d economic arrangements w h i c h adapted our childbearing
function to the needs of society at the time. L a r g e families
meant that h i g h death rates w o u l d not end the existence of
tribal and national groups.
Patterns suited to past circumstances still exist w i t h o u t
p r o p e r modification or rational control. We are neglecting a
major responsibility; to i m p r o v e our species by sensibly c o n -
trolling and g u i d i n g our r e p r o d u c t i o n .
Because we have controlled disease and m a n y other life-
threatening dangers w e need n o longer d e p e n d u p o n h i g h b i r t h
rates to assure the s u r v i v a l of o u r species. Excesses in c h i l d -
bearing often result in degradation a n d poverty. It w i l l be
extremely difficult, even in the short term, to p r o v i d e five
b i l l i o n h u m a n beings w i t h the material l i v i n g standards typical
of technically a d v a n c e d societies today. A reduction in total
n u m b e r s is essential to m a x i m i z i n g the potential of every
h u m a n b e i n g . We cannot foretell the exact " c l i m a x " limit for
h u m a n n u m b e r s . P r o v i d i n g even 500 m i l l i o n people w i t h cur-
rent A m e r i c a n l i v i n g standards m a y exceed that limit on a
perpetual time scale.
GUIDING H U M A N REPRODUCTION 27
C o m m o n sense w o u l d suggest that w e m a k e the reduction i n

a selective fashion. Y e t we are d e v o t i n g more attention to the
production of i m p r o v e d plants and animals than to the selective
continuation o f o u r o w n species. W o r l d - w i d e , h u m a n concep-
tion is still governed p r i n c i p a l l y by biologic and social forces,
with little conscious guidance. We establish social environ-
ments in w h i c h m a n y talented and productive i n d i v i d u a l s are
constrained to l i m i t their r e p r o d u c t i o n , w h i l e at the same time
we provide subsidies that encourage childbearing by the
indigent, the lazy, the irresponsible and the inadequate.
We fail to apply controls n o w available by w h i c h we c o u l d
produce a succeeding generation of healthier and more p r o d u c -
tive h u m a n beings than those w h o live today. O u r most v a l u -
able legacy w o u l d be a posterity that is the product of responsi-
ble parenting.
Superior h u m a n intelligence, c o m p a s s i o n , and drive are c o m -
plex qualities. A l t h o u g h they are not inherited in a s i m p l e
Mendelian fashion, they are to a large degree genetically deter-
mined. A n d they are reproducible, just as are the complex
qualities we seek to enhance in the lesser life forms u n d e r o u r
control and direction. O u r o w n intricate natures are based in
chemistry, and that chemistry c a n be shaped to a considerable
degree by h u m a n intelligence.
Desirable mental a n d p h y s i c a l qualities can be enhanced in
future h u m a n populations by encouraging their reproduction
and by discouraging the r e p r o d u c t i o n of their opposites.
Talents w h i c h are considered to be marks of genius w h e n they
occur infrequently today can be m a d e to occur more frequently
in the w o r l d of t o m o r r o w if we increase the contribution of
gifted persons to the total gene p o o l through 10 or 20 genera-
tions.
O v e r 3,000 h u m a n disorders h a v e n o w been identified as
genetically determined. We can reduce their frequency in the
human p o p u l a t i o n of t o m o r r o w if we discourage childbearing
by k n o w n carriers.
Responsible parenting w i l l consider both genetic a n d
environmental factors. We must seek to p r o d u c e healthy c h i l -
dren, and then to m o l d their characters and to develop their
potentials as socially w o r t h w h i l e adults w h o w i l l in turn carry
the process indefinitely into the future. Few h u m a n beings ever
28 GUIDING HUMAN REPRODUCTION
approach their m a x i m u m potentials in society. The cultivation

of talent is a proper subject for s t u d y a n d conscious inter-
vention.
S o m e h u m a n beings are temperamentally u n s u i t e d for
p a r e n t h o o d . Y e t they m a y have qualities w h i c h o u g h t to be
r e p r o d u c e d . Perhaps s u c h i n d i v i d u a l s s h o u l d transfer their
natural c h i l d r e n to the care of others capable of n u r t u r i n g t h e m
into well adjusted a d u l t h o o d .
We have a grave duty to use all available k n o w l e d g e in per-
fecting the forces w h i c h guide o u r procreation. It is w i t h i n our
p o w e r to leave b e h i n d us a n e w generation of h u m a n i t y slightly
superior t o o u r o w n i n intellectual, social, a n d p h y s i c a l capa-
bilities. In the remote future no c h i l d s h o u l d be b o r n w i t h c o n -
genital handicaps w h i c h c o u l d have been a v o i d e d b y rational
actions of his ancestors.
H u m a n i t y has successfully a p p l i e d practical genetic p r i n c i -
ples in d e v e l o p i n g domesticated plants a n d animals. It is n o w
w i t h i n o u r p o w e r to begin the domestication of our o w n species
in a parallel fashion.
O u r animal nature is o n l y t h i n l y d i s g u i s e d by a shell of c i v i l
behavior. O u r tendencies to cruelty, selfishness, sloth, a n d lack
of concern for others often o v e r p o w e r their opposite qualities.
Yet each of us possesses at least in latent form w h a t A b r a h a m
L i n c o l n referred to as the better angels of our natures. We all
share a degree of altruism, love, c o m p a s s i o n , a m b i t i o n , a n d a
concern for o u r family, our nation, and o u r species.
D o c i l i t y , loyalty, a n d other desired qualities have been selec-
tively augmented by h u m a n i n t e r v e n t i o n a n d c o n t r o l over the
b r e e d i n g patterns o f " m a n ' s best f r i e n d , " the d o g . W e c o u l d
one day achieve comparable but m u c h m o r e important m o d i f i -
cations in our o w n nature if we were to begin a conscious a n d
sustained effort to direct our o w n genetics.
No baby s h o u l d be born by accident. E v e r y c h i l d must be
w a n t e d , needed, a n d l o v e d . E v e r y c h i l d s h o u l d b e n u r t u r e d i n
an e n v i r o n m e n t favorable for d e v e l o p i n g latent talents a n d
fulfillments.
In future ages, the e v o l u t i o n of l i v i n g things w i l l be increas-
i n g l y g u i d e d by h u m a n intelligence. It is essential that we i m -
p r o v e o u r o w n nature concurrently s o that w e c a n better
GUIDING HUMAN REPRODUCTION 29
perform o u r shepherd's d u t y . T h r o u g h o u r i n t e r v e n t i o n l o v e ,
compassion, and enlightened foresight can permeate the
mechanistic w o r l d a r o u n d us.
Nations w h i c h fail to guide childbearing a n d c h i l d rearing w i l l
not only suffer the effects of o v e r p o p u l a t i o n , they w i l l also be
represented in the w o r l d of t o m o r r o w by citizens of sub-
optimal capabilities.
The enhancement of intelligence and ability by g u i d e d repro-
duction is not a simple matter. The inheritable aspects of
superior mental p o w e r s are not w e l l u n d e r s t o o d . It is probable
that they are c o n d i t i o n e d and m o d i f i e d not o n l y by genetic
factors, but by nutritional and toxic influences w h i c h m a y be
active from conception u n t i l death. They are also strongly af-
fected by other e n v i r o n m e n t a l and cultural influences, especial-
ly in the first few years of life.
T o m Paine observed over two h u n d r e d years ago that ". . .
w i s d o m is like a seedless plant; it m a y be reared w h e n it
appears, but it cannot be v o l u n t a r i l y p r o d u c e d . There is always
a sufficiency somewhere in the general mass of society for a l l
purposes; but w i t h respect to the parts of society, it is con-
tinually c h a n g i n g its place. It rises in one today, in another
tomorrow, and has most probably visited in rotation every
family of the earth, a n d again w i t h d r a w n . " It does appear
probable, h o w e v e r , that certain harmful abnormalities of an
hereditary nature are directly controllable, a n d that behavioral
patterns of an e n v i r o n m e n t a l nature tend to repeat themselves
from one generation to another. Illiteracy and p o v e r t y are often
examples of the latter.
Workers and leaders of t o m o r r o w are in their cribs today. It is
prudent that we apply to their nurture the validated k n o w l e d g e
available to us.
We are agents of the Infinite. N a t i o n s w h i c h succeed in
applying reason a n d c o m p a s s i o n in the conception a n d rearing
of their children w i l l have g u i d i n g roles in the c o m i n g A g e of
Reason.
V
Suffrage In The
United States
I N OUR COUNTRY TODAY nearly all adult citizens may vote.

A l t h o u g h in a strict sense we are a republic, w i t h selected i n -
d i v i d u a l s chosen to enact and administer our laws, we are
democratic in that we derive the p o w e r s of o u r g o v e r n m e n t
from the consent of the people.
Yet there are m a n y different channels through w h i c h p o w e r
m a y f l o w from citizens to g o v e r n m e n t . T h e lines of transfer
may of themselves greatly modify the nature of government
and the relationship it bears to those w h o are r u l e d . Channels
that respect i n d i v i d u a l liberties, w i s d o m , and l o n g term objec-
tives may have effects quite different from channels that are
concerned o n l y w i t h immediate results and p o p u l a r approval.
The mechanics of g o v e r n m e n t require constant review and
occasional careful r e v i s i o n .
A m e r i c a n history has already w i t n e s s e d m a n y changes in the
structure of o u r government. We began our national existence
as a part of the British Empire—a monarchial system w i t h con-
cessions to representative principles extending back to the
M a g n a C a r t a . Political p o w e r in o u r original 13 C o l o n i e s was
generally vested in a chartered c o m p a n y or in a g r o u p of pro-
prietors a p p o i n t e d by the C r o w n . E a c h C o l o n y d e v e l o p e d a
degree of representative g o v e r n m e n t in the form of an
30
SUFFRAGE IN THE UNITED STATES 31
assembly in w h i c h the l o w e r house was elected by qualified

voters. But there were m a n y restrictions on the right to vote, i n -
c l u d i n g some relating to religious beliefs. As a general rule,
property o w n e r s h i p requirements and p o l l taxes limited the
vote to a m i n o r i t y of adult males. G o v e r n o r s and other h i g h
ranking officials were a p p o i n t e d by the s p o n s o r i n g c o m p a n y or
by the proprietors. A p p r o v a l of appointments by the K i n g was
also needed. W o m e n , slaves, a n d m a n y free male citizens h a d
no vote. Political p o w e r granted to the elected legislative bodies
was l i m i t e d . A c t i o n s of the assemblies could be overridden by
the governor or by a small g r o u p of officials w h o surrounded
him. There were, h o w e v e r , elements of representative p r i n c i -
ples in our colonial governments w h i c h c o n d i t i o n e d our fore-
fathers to the concept of democratic rule.
W h e n A m e r i c a n s recognized increasing abuse of their liber-
ties by Great B r i t a i n , the seeds of revolution were s o w n . They
grew resentful of harassment by Parliament a n d by petty royal
officials. Political discontent increased and culminated in the
war w h i c h w o n o u r independence. O u r forefathers then estab-
lished a n e w g o v e r n m e n t in a pattern calculated to make it
eternally subject to the w i l l of the people.
But social inertias and attitudes tended to continue the estab-
lished system of suffrage. V o t i n g remained a restricted right.
Requirements for p r o p e r t y o w n e r s h i p prevented many citizens
from access to the p o l l s , even m a n y former soldiers w h o h a d
fought to w i n our political freedom.
For a time U . S . senators a n d state governors were chosen b y
the state legislatures. O u r president was c h o s e n indirectly
through an electoral college rather than by p o p u l a r vote. S o m e
local officials were elected directly by qualified voters.
M o s t A m e r i c a n s accepted the v i e w that v o t i n g was a special
privilege a n d that it required s o m e evidence of k n o w l e d g e a n d
judgement to participate in the selection of p u b l i c leaders.
Requirements for literacy a n d for financial responsibility were
thought to be reasonable, even by m a n y w h o d i d not qualify.
America was a l a n d of o p p o r t u n i t y , however, a n d m e n w h o
could not vote were free to exert themselves to become q u a l i -
fied. The B i l l of Rights in o u r Federal Constitution e l i m i n a t e d
the more flagrant evils of the C o l o n i a l era. O u r election system
did w o r k . It carried us through periods of turbulence, conflict,
and territorial expansion.
32 SUFFRAGE IN THE UNITED STATES
In the nineteenth century, property and tax p a y i n g require-

ments were gradually relaxed. T h e right to vote was progres-
sively extended to include most of the adult w h i t e male p o p u l a -
tion. In the twentieth century came further l i b e r a l i z i n g of
v o t i n g qualifications. In 1920, the 19th a m e n d m e n t brought
suffrage to A m e r i c a n w o m e n , a n d in the f o l l o w i n g 50 years the
v o t i n g privilege was extended to include nearly all adult
citizens, regardless of education, race, literacy, military service,
or economic status. Each extension of the vote was instituted in
the belief that it w o u l d make elected officials more responsive
to the p o p u l a c e .
N e a r l y all legislative and executive officials are n o w elected
directly by p o p u l a r vote. Their subordinates are appointed, or
s i m p l y hired, sometimes w i t h the a p p r o v a l of a legislative
body.
T h i s universal suffrage is a m i x e d blessing. O u r f o u n d i n g
fathers believed it wise to restrict citizen control of government
to i n d i v i d u a l s w h o had demonstrated superior abilities, as in
the acquisition of property, or t h r o u g h dedication to p u b l i c
service.
O u r republic has c h a n g e d i n w a y s u n d r e a m e d o f b y those
w h o first shaped it. T h e y were a s m a l l nation of farmers l i v i n g
in a belt of l a n d a l o n g the A t l a n t i c coast. We have become an i n -
dustrial giant, o c c u p y i n g a large share of the continent. We
once had an abundance of nearly all natural resources. T o d a y
o u r e x p a n d i n g p o p u l a t i o n and extravagant demands have con-
s u m e d m a n y of o u r non-renewable minerals a n d fuels a n d have
m a d e us increasingly dependent u p o n external sources. O u r
society has become c o m p l e x . G o v e r n m e n t has m u l t i p l i e d a n d
expanded u n t i l it has become directly or indirectly i n v o l v e d in
a l l phases of our daily life. We have replaced the m i n i o n s of
G e o r g e III w i t h h o r d e s of petty officials w h o entangle our lives
a n d commerce in webs of regulations. T h e y have b u r d e n e d us
w i t h taxes far heavier than those w h i c h p r o m p t e d us to throw
off British rule. T h e y have h a n d i c a p p e d our economy w i t h
thousands of petty l a w s a n d bureaucratic rules w h i c h have
become a c o r n u c o p i a for m o r e than half a m i l l i o n attorneys.
Litigation n o w complicates a n d clogs the arteries of commerce
and entangles most aspects of our private and professional
lives.
O u r government structures have d e v e l o p e d lives of their

o w n , g r o w i n g b e y o n d the effective c o n t r o l of the legislative
bodies w h i c h s p a w n e d t h e m . M o n s t r o u s bureaus i n o u r n a -
tional a n d state capitals have become almost i n d e p e n d e n t of
citizen influence, resisting all efforts to eliminate or control their
activities. E m p l o y e e s of some government agencies are i n -
sulated from the people by barriers of regulations a n d layers of
d i v i d e d responsibility. They have feathered their nests w i t h
guaranteed pay raises, special financial benefits, a n d generous
pension programs w i t h automatic inflation-indexed increases.
They have e x c l u d e d themselves from the social security
burdens w h i c h they have inflicted on o r d i n a r y citizens, a n d
have assured themselves job security by a maze of C i v i l Service
regulations w h i c h are i m p e r v i o u s to outside challenge. N e a r l y
one in six A m e r i c a n w o r k e r s today is e m p l o y e d by g o v e r n -
ment. N a t i o n a l and state agencies have become directly i n -
volved i n h o u s i n g , rent control, p o w e r p r o d u c t i o n , agriculture,
and all aspects of m e d i c a l care.
N u m e r o u s direct a n d indirect subsidies, grants, and "entitle-
m e n t " programs have made m a n y citizens dependent u p o n
civil servants—who dispense o n l y tax revenue—for a significant
part of their l i v e l i h o o d s .
O u r personal lives and commercial enterprises are entangled
in the webs of bureaucracy. Its pernicious effects seriously
handicap u s i n c o m p e t i n g for w o r l d markets.
Unrestrained g o v e r n m e n t g r o w t h has begotten unrestrained
government s p e n d i n g . E n o r m o u s public debt threatens o u r
economic s u r v i v a l .
It is d i s m a l l y evident that we do not always elect the best
qualified p u b l i c servants. S o m e are o u t s t a n d i n g , but all too
often their v i e w s are diluted by less w e l l qualified colleagues.
Wiser legislators and administrators c o u l d have a v o i d e d m a n y
of our present p r o b l e m s . P r u d e n t changes in o u r electoral
system can result in p u b l i c officials w h o are better suited to o u r
needs.
" U n i v e r s a l " suffrage may not be a w i s e p r i n c i p l e u p o n w h i c h
to base representative g o v e r n m e n t . In truth, we do not have
universal suffrage e v e n n o w . C h i l d r e n , a n d i n d i v i d u a l s w h o
are obviously insane, do not exercise the right to vote. A n d
many w h o do meet the legal requirements for v o t i n g fail to
exercise that privilege, either t h r o u g h indifference or ignorance.

We s h o u l d consider m a k i n g the right to vote c o n d i t i o n a l . We
might, for example, i m p o s e certain educational requirements.
In a society w h i c h p r o v i d e s tax-paid educational opportunities
for everyone, we s h o u l d require proof of u n d e r s t a n d i n g of our
g o v e r n m e n t a n d its history a n d problems as a prerequisite for
voting.
It w o u l d u n d o u b t e d l y i m p r o v e the quality of g o v e r n m e n t if
voters were required to pass a simple test covering the structure
of our government, o u r history, and our general economic
s y s t e m . O u r citizens must n o w pass a comparable examination
to qualify for d r i v i n g on o u r streets a n d h i g h w a y s .
The level of difficulty of the voter-qualifying examination
s h o u l d be h i g h e n o u g h to exclude political illiterates, but not so
h i g h as to eliminate individuals of average u n d e r s t a n d i n g and
education. If at the same time we p r o v i d e all citizens w i t h
access to schooling that w i l l enable any mentally competent
person to qualify, o u r democracy w i l l be strengthened.
M a r k T w a i n once suggested that o u r v o t i n g system s h o u l d be
m o d i f i e d to permit a d d i t i o n a l votes for selected citizens, based
u p o n objective qualifications. These might i n c l u d e age, military
service, a n d other indicators of civic responsibility.
It w o u l d be reasonable to require evidence of economic p r o -
ductivity as a qualification for v o t i n g . Citizens w h o l o n g remain
on p u b l i c relief rolls, performing no services to compensate for
their financial support by the taxpayers, s h o u l d not vote. A n y
resulting injustice w o u l d be o u t w e i g h e d by the l o n g term gains.
The purse strings of charity s h o u l d be controlled p r i m a r i l y by
the giver, not by the recipient. In this land of free education a n d
economic opportunity, it is shameful that some families remain
on relief rolls generation after generation. W i s e legislators
elected by responsible voters w o u l d find ways to interrupt this
endless c h a i n . P r o d u c t i v e labor of some k i n d must be made a
basic requirement for f u l l citizenship. E l i m i n a t i o n of m i n i m u m
wage laws, c o m b i n e d w i t h income supplements from tax funds,
a n d mandatory w o r k requirements for able-bodied welfare
recipients w o u l d be logical starting points for correcting the
shortcomings of o u r present welfare arrangements.
A l l citizens s h o u l d be r e m i n d e d at election time that " g o v e r n -
ment" means tax-paying citizens, taken collectively. O u r elec-
tions have become p o p u l a r i t y contests in w h i c h candidates out-

promise one another as they seek support from various factions
in the electorate. Politicians often conceal the fact that g o v e r n -
ment can o n l y g i v e " b e n e f i t s " to one g r o u p by taking m o n e y
from others. Candidates s k i l f u l l y p r o m i s e to render m a n y
kinds of assistance from the public treasury; they a v o i d the
painful subject of higher taxes for f u n d i n g their promises.
A n o t h e r i m p r o v e m e n t in our electoral process w o u l d be to re-
quire higher standards for the candidates themselves. Present
qualifications list little more than citizenship, residence in the
area served, and a m i n i m u m age.
Candidates for p u b l i c office s h o u l d be required to d e m o n -
strate a basic u n d e r s t a n d i n g of w o r l d a n d national history, and
some grasp of economic principles. In this country members of
the learned professions m u s t demonstrate competence in their
chosen fields before they can serve the p u b l i c . N o t o n l y must
they pass rigorous licensing examinations, but they must
devote prescribed hours each year to c o n t i n u i n g education to
qualify for re-licensing.
Legislators enact laws w h i c h have profound impacts on every
phase of o u r e c o n o m y and our personal activities. T h e y a n d
those w h o administer their laws have m u c h greater p o w e r over
our lives than do a n y of the licensed professions. Yet they have
kept themselves excluded from legal p r o v i s i o n s that w o u l d re-
quire t h e m to demonstrate measurable qualifications for the
jobs they seek on election d a y . Candidates s h o u l d be required
to pass an examination for the a w a r d of a "Certificate of Q u a l i -
fication for Public O f f i c e . "
The examination s h o u l d be appropriate for the type of office
being sought. T h u s there m i g h t be corresponding certificates
for sheriff, for county auditor, a n d for other local offices re-
quiring specific skills. O t h e r certificates might qualify i n d i -
viduals to seek legislative or administrative offices on the local
or state l e v e l . Examinations of a higher level of difficulty a n d
covering a broader range of economic, political, a n d historical
subjects m i g h t be required for a l l w h o seek national office. It
might be helpful to indicate for the voters' information the
record of the candidates in their qualifying e x a m i n a t i o n .
T h e needs of our people w i l l be better served by officials w h o

meet certain basic qualifications than by others w h o m a y or
may not be intellectually qualified, but w h o rely p r i m a r i l y u p o n
the arts of demagoguery a n d salesmanship to gain p u b l i c office.
It w o u l d be p r u d e n t to restrain p r o m o t i o n a l efforts a n d to l i m i t
c a m p a i g n s p e n d i n g i n some rational manner, m a k i n g i t m o r e
difficult for special interests to b u y a n d pay for the election of
any public official. Reasonable standards for v o t i n g and for
h o l d i n g public office need not i m p a i r participation in o u r d e m o -
cratic process by any segment of o u r p o p u l a t i o n . S u c h stan-
dards w i l l make p u b l i c office m o r e appealing to those best
qualified to serve, and w i l l h e l p to assure that every social and
economic d i v i s i o n in our society is represented by those best
able to speak and act for its m e m b e r s .
H i g h e r standards for voters and for candidates w i l l result i n
better government.
W i s e r a n d better i n f o r m e d legislative bodies w i l l establish a
proper order of priorities a m o n g the m a n y problems facing
society today. T r u l y pressing problems, s u c h as the need for
c o n t r o l l i n g o u r borders, regulating h u m a n p o p u l a t i o n , a n d
l i m i t i n g government s p e n d i n g in a sensible manner, w i l l be
considered w i t h appropriate urgency. A n d better qualified a d -
ministrators w i l l hopefully a v o i d m a n y of the abuses w h i c h
have developed in o u r governmental m a c h i n e r y since 1776.
VI
Prospects for the

American Economy
THE F I R S T F O U R C E N T U R I E S of A m e r i c a n history have u n f o l d e d a

remarkable record. In 1600, the territory w h i c h is now the 48
contiguous states was a wilderness. It contained an abundance
of undeveloped resources a n d was sparsely populated by
Indian tribes whose members d e p e n d e d to a great extent u p o n
hunting for their subsistence. T h e i r l i m i t e d agriculture caused
no permanent damage to the environment.
A b o u t 1600, a trickle of E u r o p e a n colonists began to arrive on
our eastern shore. In the next 200 years i m m i g r a t i o n increased
steadily as m i l l i o n s crossed the A t l a n t i c to this land of o p p o r -
tunity. T h e trickle became the greatest mass m i g r a t i o n in
h u m a n history.
D u r i n g the eighteenth century the Industrial R e v o l u t i o n was
taking shape in Europe, w i t h new technologies in metal w o r k -
ing, m i n i n g , and the harnessing of coal w i t h the steam engine.
The age of machines advanced most rapidly in E n g l a n d , w h i c h
was w e l l s u p p l i e d w i t h coal and i r o n . The n e w k n o w l e d g e was
soon exported to E n g l a n d ' s former colonies in N o r t h A m e r i c a .
Steam power s u p p l e m e n t e d water p o w e r along m a n y eastern
streams. Steam engines were also adapted to boats a n d then to
railroads. I m p r o v e d roads, an extensive network of canals, a n d
a proliferating w e b of r a i l lines s o o n covered our g r o w i n g
nation. C o a l and w o o d p r o v i d e d cheap fuel, m a k i n g possible
37
38 PROSPECTS F O R T H E A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y
the rapid d e v e l o p m e n t of diversified industries, especially in

the northeastern states. T h e steel p l o w , the cotton g i n , and the
reaper were i n v e n t e d , and r e v o l u t i o n i z e d A m e r i c a n agri-
c u l t u r e . P r o d u c t i o n , bolstered by w e s t e r n expansion, increased
exponentially. Resources were b e i n g discovered that seemed
unlimited.
As the p o p u l a t i o n grew, the frontiers p u s h e d across the c o n -
tinent. T h e prairies of the M i d w e s t w e r e converted to farmland.
S w a m p s were d r a i n e d , roads and railroads proliferated, and
t o w n s a n d cities s p r a n g u p like m u s h r o o m s .
M a j o r deposits o f h i g h grade i r o n ore w e r e f o u n d i n northern
M i n n e s o t a and transported on the Great Lakes to eastern steel
mills near abundant coal supplies. We entered the Iron A g e
w i t h enthusiasm a n d energy. A m e r i c a n s devised machines for
every imaginable p u r p o s e and p r o d u c e d t h e m in vast quan-
tities.
In 1859, o i l was discovered in P e n n s y l v a n i a . Initially, it was
used o n l y for lamps, but w h e n the i n t e r n a l c o m b u s t i o n engine
was d e v e l o p e d late in the century, o i l became a compact and
portable fuel for transporting g o o d s a n d people, accelerating
i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t the W e s t e r n w o r l d .
A m e r i c a possessed all the ingredients needed for an explo-
s i o n of p r o d u c t i o n . M i l l s a n d factories appeared across the
land. Machines multiplied human productivity. Low-priced
products became e v e r y w h e r e available. Entrepreneurs were
restricted neither by antitrust l a w s n o r by concerns for the en-
v i r o n m e n t . Pittsburgh became a city d a r k e n e d by perpetual
s m o k e , but l o w cost steel p o u r e d from her furnaces. T h e i n -
come tax had not been i n v e n t e d . O u r e x p a n d i n g industrial and
agricultural c o m p l e x p r o v i d e d wages sufficient for A m e r i c a n s
to become a market for the products of their o w n labor.
" P r o f i t " was not a nasty w o r d . Enterprising b u s i n e s s m e n
w e r e given a free h a n d to exploit the c o r n u c o p i a of natural
resources that s u r r o u n d e d us on every side. V i r g i n forests were
converted to l u m b e r a n d fuel w i t h little concern for waste a n d
no thought of replanting. Large fortunes were made. " R o b b e r
B a r o n s " flourished. H o w e v e r , m u c h of their i m m e n s e profits
became a d d i t i o n a l venture capital, to be reinvested again a n d
again in e x p a n d i n g a g r o w i n g p r o d u c t i o n base.
S o o n , A m e r i c a n s were not o n l y s u p p l y i n g their o w n needs,
but they were e x p o r t i n g a s u r p l u s to nations not yet industrial-
PROSPECTS FOR THE AMERICAN ECONOMY 39
ized. A m e r i c a became the w o r l d leader in nearly a l l fields of

technology. We p r o d u c e d notable scientists and inventors, a n d
attracted m a n y others from abroad. E u r o p e a n economies
shared in the general prosperity, but lagged b e h i n d us, in part
because of their less plentiful natural resources. M e a n w h i l e ,
m u c h of the w o r l d remained at a rather primitive economic
level.
By 1900, our fortunate c o m b i n a t i o n of resources, capital,
labor, management, machines, an enterprising spirit, a n d a
large free market h a d m a d e us the most powerful a n d most
prosperous nation in the h i s t o r y of m a n k i n d .
Progress w a s not without interruption or t u r m o i l . There were
wars, panics, a n d labor disputes. In the 1930s, the Great D e -
pression disrupted our e c o n o m y u n t i l the stimulus of a major
war brought about another surge of economic e x p a n s i o n . After
W o r l d W a r II we experienced a l e v e l i n g off process, a n d the
pace of p r o d u c t i o n began to slow. O u r p o p u l a t i o n had i n -
creased to 200 m i l l i o n and w a s c o n t i n u i n g to grow by natural
increase a n d t h r o u g h i m m i g r a t i o n . It was difficult to maintain
both full e m p l o y m e n t a n d h i g h wages for all our citizens.
M e a n w h i l e , the technical a n d financial ideas a n d expertise
that underlie m o d e r n industrial societies s h o w e d no respect for
national boundaries, but were shared, utilized, a n d steadily
augmented by other nations w h o successfully f o l l o w e d path-
ways blazed by the industrial pioneers in A m e r i c a a n d E u r o p e .
The industrialization of A m e r i c a was associated w i t h great
social change. In o u r early history, 19 of every 20 A m e r i c a n s
were farmers. Their simple needs were met w i t h locally avail-
able resources. After the C i v i l W a r , emancipated slaves began
the difficult process of assimilation into a competitive society.
Some joined the m i l l i o n s of white citizens m o v i n g to the cities
and factories, attracted by the bright lights and the promise of
better p a y i n g jobs. Others remained for a time as poor share-
croppers on southern farms. U r b a n i z a t i o n of our society con-
tinues even today. Now fewer than three per cent. of our
workers are engaged in agriculture. Yet w i t h the help of p o w e r -
ful machines they provide food for all of us in greater a b u n -
dance than can be comfortably absorbed by the marketplace.
The toll of intensive m o d e r n farming methods on our topsoils is
serious, a n d we are o n l y n o w b e c o m i n g aware of the c o n t a m i -
40 PROSPECTS FOR THE AMERICAN ECONOMY
n a t i o n a n d depletion of the u n d e r g r o u n d water table w h i c h our

shortsighted efforts are causing for our descendants.
In the 20th century we are w i t n e s s i n g other fundamental
changes as the c o m m o n p o o l of k n o w l e d g e is disseminated
throughout the w o r l d . H u m a n populations continue t o g r o w
r a p i d l y , due in large part to advances in medicine a n d sanita-
tion. F o r m e r l y b a c k w a r d nations have d e v e l o p e d educational
systems that in some cases are superior to our o w n . T h e y have
adopted a n d are i m p r o v i n g the technology of the Western
w o r l d , often to a l e v e l b e y o n d w h a t has been achieved here a n d
in Europe.
O t h e r nations—not least, Japan, T a i w a n a n d K o r e a in the Far
East—have learned from the Western nations and in some areas
of technology, are surpassing t h e m . T h e y have dramatically i n -
creased their c o n s u m p t i o n of r a w materials as they have e d u -
cated their people, a n d have p r o v i d e d t h e m w i t h factories and
d i s t r i b u t i o n facilities that incorporate the m o s t recent technical
advances.
Their workers enter the job market w i t h skills equal to or
better than those of A m e r i c a n s , but w i t h wages far b e l o w
c u s t o m a r y A m e r i c a n levels. T h e i r managers are competent a n d
aggressive. T h e y streamline a n d perfect the productive process,
demonstrating great talent in s e c u r i n g resources in the w o r l d
market. They are p r o d u c i n g sophisticated manufactured
products and marketing t h e m w i t h great success throughout
the w o r l d . T h e y are actively assisted at all times by their
governments, w h o demonstrate an i n f o r m e d and cooperative
attitude in p r o m o t i n g their efforts at home and abroad.
Japan, K o r e a , a n d T a i w a n are causing revolutionary changes
in the roles of the older i n d u s t r i a l i z e d nations. Unfortunately,
the rulers and w o r k forces of some Western nations are u n w i l l -
i n g to accept and appropriately adapt to those changes.
A m e r i c a n s have g r o w n accustomed to the comfortable l i v i n g
standards based u p o n our once abundant resources. We are i n -
c l i n e d to take them for granted. As our reserves d w i n d l e we
m a k e futile attempts to restore our p r i m a c y in per capita i n c o m e
t h r o u g h legislation, i g n o r i n g the fact that laws do not p r o d u c e
nuts a n d bolts a n d other c o n s u m e r g o o d s . W e are l o s i n g some
of the competitive spirit of our earlier successes. A g r o w i n g seg-
ment of o u r p o p u l a t i o n is b e c o m i n g dependent u p o n g o v e r n -
PROSPECTS FOR THE AMERICAN E C O N O M Y 41
ment at a time w h e n government is approaching insolvency.

O v e r the past 50 years we have legislated a system of direct
and indirect payments and subsidies to support citizens w h o
are not gainfully e m p l o y e d . Costs of such programs are b o r n e
by the segments of o u r society still engaged in productive w o r k .
We have established m i n i m u m wage standards w h i c h do not
recognize honest market values for the labor of m a r g i n a l
workers. We thus unintentionally mandate idleness for m a n y
citizens, w h o t h e n become tax b u r d e n s for their neighbors.
G o v e r n m e n t assistance programs are by no means restricted to
the poor. There are subsidies for farmers, for s m a l l businesses,
for large corporations, and for cities and states. We have pay-
ments for the elderly, for veterans, for the p h y s i c a l l y h a n d i -
capped, a n d for the socially blighted. We use tax funds to pro-
vide medical care, legal assistance, rent subsidies, educational
grants, a n d h o m e i n s u l a t i o n . Federal " b e n e f i t s " require
volumes to s i m p l y list and describe t h e m . We have other
federal regulations and court o p i n i o n s that require o u r state and
local governments to p r o v i d e specific assistance for the
"economically d i s a d v a n t a g e d , " for " m i n o r i t y g r o u p s , " and
even for prisoners. In m a n y instances, courts have broadened
the coverage of federal a n d state l a w s far b e y o n d the intent of
the legislators w h o enacted t h e m .
If a factory w o r k e r w i t h a family s h o u l d break one of our
many laws, he personally must pay for the services of a l a w y e r
to defend h i m s e l f . A chronically u n e m p l o y e d habitual c r i m i n a l
who has similar problems w i l l have the services of a court
appointed attorney. That attorney, p a i d by the taxpayers, m a y
carry appeals all the w a y to the S u p r e m e C o u r t if there is a
slight chance of o v e r t u r n i n g a c o n v i c t i o n on some technicality.
A private citizen p a y i n g his o w n w a y might not pursue the
matter w i t h s u c h determination.
In some cases the monetary value of tax-supported benefits
for an u n e m p l o y e d person exceeds the income of other citizens
who are w o r k i n g full-time at modest pay. These self-respecting
citizens must contribute a part of their small earnings to sup-
port the idle, sometimes w i t h amenities that are unavailable to
their o w n families.
The cost of welfare programs is a g r o w i n g a d d i t i o n to the
other handicaps w h i c h must be faced by o u r manufacturers as
42 PROSPECTS FOR T H E AMERICAN E C O N O M Y
they seek to underprice foreign competitors, w h o s e societies

require that all citizens w o r k .
A m e r i c a n b u s i n e s s m e n are further h a m p e r e d by the c o m -
plexity of our laws—federal, state a n d l o c a l . L e g a l considera-
tions have become concerns of the first order in d e t e r m i n i n g
business decisions. L a w s d e a l i n g w i t h e n v i r o n m e n t a l impact,
z o n i n g , labor, a n d " m i n o r i t i e s , " a l t h o u g h w e l l intentioned, are
a direct cause for increased costs. Several thick v o l u m e s are
n o w required to " c l a r i f y " the federal i n c o m e tax code. S k i l l e d
accountants are essential for businesses a n d m a n y private
citizens in c o m p u t i n g their taxes.
O u t s i d e the arena of direct legislation, regulations are pro-
mulgated by m a n y g o v e r n m e n t agencies w i t h authority dele-
gated to them by e n a b l i n g acts. These m a y change from d a y to
d a y . Failure to c o m p l y w i t h t h e m c a n cause serious financial
losses, so A m e r i c a n businesses find it necessary to e m p l o y
costly legal staffs s i m p l y to conduct day-to-day operations.
C o r p o r a t i o n s in other nations have their share of government
m e d d l i n g , but seldom w i t h the degree of complexity w h i c h has
become the lot of managers in A m e r i c a . In some cases effective
c o n t r o l of critical business decisions is g i v e n indirectly to
g o v e r n m e n t officials w h o m i g h t have little practical experience,
a n d w h o might be more concerned w i t h the political impact of
their performance t h a n w i t h l o n g range economic effects.
S o m e officials s h o w little concern for our negative balance in
foreign trade. T h e y m i n i m i z e the significance of our debtor
status in the international w o r l d , a n d take comfort in the naive
belief that A m e r i c a can prosper as a " s e r v i c e " e c o n o m y , w i t h
our people s i m p l y w a i t i n g on one another. T h e y do not tell us
h o w w e w i l l pay for the expensive c o n s u m e r products that are
the core of h i g h material l i v i n g standards, a n d w h i c h in their
scenario w i l l be manufactured abroad. If we c o n s u m e at h i g h
levels, we m u s t p r o d u c e at h i g h levels, not o n l y for o u r o w n
use, but for w o r l d markets. It w i l l be difficult to purchase
Japanese electronics, B r a z i l i a n steel, a n d A r a b o i l w i t h personal
services.
Sooner or later, a d a y of r e c k o n i n g w i l l come. O u r c o n t i n u i n g
federal deficits, c o m b i n e d w i t h interest p a y m e n t s on the
accumulation of past deficits, and o u r o n g o i n g foreign trade i m -
PROSPECTS FOR T H E AMERICAN E C O N O M Y 43
balance combine to exceed the total annual savings of the

A m e r i c a n e c o n o m y . There is no surplus to replace w o r n - o u t
production equipment or to b u i l d new factories.
There is no immediate shortage of most raw materials in
world markets. Some commodities are available at lower prices
than in the past, thanks to the m o d e r n p r o d u c t i o n methods
now being u s e d to exploit reserves in some foreign lands. But
this is a part of o u r p r o b l e m : We A m e r i c a n s already have con-
sumed o u r most accessible o i l , i r o n , and other resources. We
must n o w use foreign exchange funds to purchase some of
those essentials abroad, b i d d i n g against other users.
A m e r i c a is no l o n g e r the leader in most fields of technology.
The Japanese and others have p u s h e d ahead in electronics,
automobile p r o d u c t i o n , cameras, p e t r o l e u m refining,
metallurgy, machine tools, computers, office machines, robots,
and other products required by m o d e r n i n d u s t r y . We n o w buy
a large share of o u r shoes, c l o t h i n g , a n d textiles from abroad
simply because they cost less. H u n d r e d s of thousands of
American jobs are lost as a result.
M a n y other nations n o w practice the self-discipline necessary
to excel in science, technology, manufacturing, finance, and i n -
ternational trade. Markets formerly dominated by the U n i t e d
States and Western Europe have been taken over by n e w -
comers. B r a z i l has become a major producer of l o w cost steel,
Japanese steel undersells Pittsburgh steel in that city, n o t w i t h -
standing s h i p p i n g costs from Japan.
The day of the u n s k i l l e d day laborer is r a p i d l y b e c o m i n g a
memory. M o s t simple and m a n y complicated tasks w i l l be per-
formed by robots, w h i c h do not get sick, take vacations, or get
overtime and fringe benefits. O u r schools continue to operate
only 180 days a year, a schedule d a t i n g to pioneer days w h e n
children also w o r k e d on the farm. This schedule is inadequate
for teaching the skills required in an increasingly sophisticated
world.
We are inclined to gear academic standards to mediocrity,
while more enlightened foreign societies stress excellence, c o m -
petition, a n d performance. We give too m u c h attention to c o m -
petitive sports at all grade levels, diverting funds and emphasis
from scholastics, w h i c h are more important to o u r country in
the longer v i e w .
44 P R O S P E C T S FOR THE A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y
E v e r y year we graduate a plethora of attorneys, o c c u p y i n g

the talents of g o o d students w h o , in other societies, m i g h t
b e c o m e engineers, scientists, a n d managers capable of ad-
v a n c i n g the interests of o u r society in this competitive w o r l d .
N e a r l y half of A m e r i c a n high school graduates go on to col-
lege. M a n y have no specific goals a n d no strong m o t i v a t i o n to
acquire a liberal e d u c a t i o n or to excel in a particular field of
s t u d y . S o m e of these students w o u l d be better e m p l o y e d in
technical schools, a c q u i r i n g skills our nation must have to
prosper in future years.
In m a n y countries, a college degree is difficult to achieve.
There is intense c o m p e t i t i o n for college a d m i s s i o n ; poor
students are rejected, and g o o d students are pushed to maxi-
m u m achievement. M a n y disappointments a n d frustrations are
associated w i t h this educational c o m p e t i t i o n . Y e t we live in a
cold w o r l d w h i c h rewards excellence and p u n i s h e s failure. It is
folly to proceed on any other premise as we p l a n o u r national
goals and devise programs for a c h i e v i n g them.
A n u n a v o i d a b l e b u r d e n o f A m e r i c a i n the closing years o f this
century is our role as the p r i m a r y defender of the n o n -
c o m m u n i s t w o r l d . We have not sought out this responsibility.
It has d e v o l v e d on us because we are the most p o w e r f u l of the
W e s t e r n nations. It occupies a large share of o u r m a n p o w e r a n d
consumes our resources as we m a i n t a i n military forces and
sophisticated w e a p o n r y to prevent the expansionist forces of
w o r l d c o m m u n i s m from o v e r w h e l m i n g the entire w o r l d .
We spend nearly seven per cent. of gross national p r o d u c t for
defense, m u c h more than Japan, T a i w a n , Western Europe, a n d
Latin A m e r i c a . This additional b u r d e n has aggravated o u r i n -
ability to compete in w o r l d markets against o u r adversaries a n d
against the very nations w h o gather under our military u m -
brella for protection.
O u r p r o b l e m s are c o m p l e x and interrelated a n d are inter-
w o v e n w i t h the traditions a n d expectations of A m e r i c a n labor.
As more a n d more foreign w o r k e r s acquire the skills a n d
facilities w h i c h were formerly restricted to o n l y a few i n d u s t r i a l -
i z e d nations, there w i l l be increasingly strong d o w n w a r d pres-
sures on real wage levels. If A m e r i c a cannot compete t h r o u g h
further mechanization of p r o d u c t i o n , a process w h i c h demands
great capital investment, wages w i l l m o v e l o w e r a n d more jobs
PROSPECTS F O R THE A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y 45
will be lost to foreign w o r k e r s . C a p i t a l is mobile. Billions of

dollars can be electronically transferred in a t w i n k l i n g from o u r
economy to foreign nations w h e r e profits are greater.
M e a n w h i l e , we hamper our productive efforts w i t h labor
regulations w h i c h once m a y have been necessary but w h i c h
now are counterproductive. We tolerate strikes w h i c h might be
avoided by c o m p u l s o r y or v o l u n t a r y arbitration. We fail to i n -
form our w o r k force of the impact w h i c h w e l l capitalized, low
wage foreign workers h a v e h a d on our role in a d y n a m i c a n d
ever-changing w o r l d .
A m e r i c a n auto workers receive higher wages than their
Japanese counterparts. At the same time, the Japanese have
nearly twice as m u c h invested capital b e h i n d each job, in the
form of robots, m o d e r n machinery, a n d a d v a n c e d engineering.
Japan makes a car in a fraction of the m a n - h o u r s required in
America, and sells it in A m e r i c a at a profit for a l o w e r price.
But the Japanese have c o m p e t i t i o n , too. K o r e a n w o r k e r s
build cars for l o w e r wages, and threaten Japan's advantage.
The Koreans, in turn, face M e x i c a n s w h o are eager to w o r k in
plants built just across our border, accepting subsistence p a y
rates in their depressed e c o n o m y . C o m p e t i t i o n , change, and
shifting flows of trade are facts of life w h i c h we must face w i t h
logic and realism if we are to c o n t i n u e to prosper as a free
nation.
In s u m m a r y , A m e r i c a is h a n d i c a p p e d by h i g h labor costs,
shrinking domestic raw material reserves, an insufficiently
educated work force, excessive litigation, b u r d e n s o m e debts
and demands on government, short-sighted legislators, and an
electorate w h i c h has yet to manifest sufficient awareness of the
magnitude a n d complexity of o u r p r o b l e m s .
Yet all these problems have potential solutions. D e a l i n g w i t h
them w i l l d e m a n d changes in o u r attitudes, expectations, a n d
work habits.
One root of our present d i l e m m a is government—too m u c h
government. N o t o n l y have we permitted it to g r o w w i t h o u t
restraint—we have encouraged it to d e v e l o p irresponsible
spending habits, habits w h i c h w o u l d never be permitted in a
sensible family budget. The m o u n t a i n o u s federal debt over-
hangs our e c o n o m y .
46 P R O S P E C T S FOR THE A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y
There are parallels between o u r federal finances and those of

G e r m a n y in 1922. H e r national debt at that time w a s p r i m a r i l y
reparations claimed by the victorious allies after W o r l d W a r I;
O n e trillion marks, payable in g o l d .
O u r national debt is in the form of government bonds, held to
a large extent by financial institutions a n d insurance com-
panies, a n d in vast c o m m i t m e n t s for future obligations of many
k i n d s . We o w e large s u m s to foreign investors, a n d are a d d i n g
to the debt t h r o u g h deficit s p e n d i n g a n d an international trade
deficit. The ratio of our debts to assets is r o u g h l y comparable to
that of G e r m a n y over 60 years ago. A n d , we have not been
treating our debtors honestly. We have c o n t i n u o u s l y defaulted
on o u r b o n d e d indebtedness t h r o u g h the ruse of monetary i n -
flation—repaying b o r r o w e d dollars w i t h cheaper inflation
dollars. In the meantime, b o n d o w n e r s pay taxes on the
interest. A m e r i c a n s w h o buy b o n d s are short-changed on their
investment.
As the dollar erodes in value, so do savings accounts, life i n -
surance policies, p e n s i o n reserves, a n d all other dollar denomi-
nated funds.
So far, we have a v o i d e d a collapse of the dollar. But today our
federal debt is increasing so r a p i d l y that we are v u l n e r a b l e to
the explosive inflation that is ravaging B r a z i l , Israel, a n d other
spendthrift nations.
In 1923, G e r m a n y reacted to its impossible debt by printing
more a n d more paper m o n e y of less and less value u n t i l it final-
ly became worthless. W i t h i n a year, all " o l d " debts, p u b l i c and
private, became meaningless. The monetary system collapsed,
w i p i n g out the accumulated savings, pensions, a n d insurance
values of the citizens. A total financial reorganization became
necessary. A n e w mark was issued, w i t h one n e w mark equiva-
lent to one t r i l l i o n o l d marks. T h i s d i d not solve G e r m a n y ' s
m a n y problems, but it d i d restrain s p e n d i n g by politicians in
the next few years.
A m e r i c a m a y have passed the point of no return in its present
monetary course. We n o w have two apparent alternatives. We
m a y continue the present pattern of rising deficits, a steadily
e r o d i n g dollar, and an increasing inability to compete in w o r l d
markets. Or we can follow the example of G e r m a n y in 1923 and
P R O S P E C T S FOR THE A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y 47
abruptly flood the w o r l d w i t h paper dollars, thus defaulting on

our present debt b u r d e n in a shorter period of massive adjust-
ment.
Even this drastic action w i l l have no lasting significance if not
accompanied by a change in attitude of the A m e r i c a n people
toward government and its role.
Permanent stabilization w i l l require a s o u n d n e w fiscal policy.
If we can muster the w i s d o m and resolve to m i n i m i z e interven-
tion by civil servants i n economic affairs, there w i l l be h o p e for
preserving o u r personal liberties. P r u d e n t policies relating to i n -
come and inheritance taxes can encourage w i d e s p r e a d capital
formation, identify capital o w n e r s h i p , and prevent an u n -
healthy concentration of e c o n o m i c p o w e r in a few private
hands. U n d e r capitalism wealth equates w i t h political p o w e r .
That p o w e r must be controlled. O w n e r s h i p of capital must be
public k n o w l e d g e . Excessive hereditary concentration of wealth
is incompatible w i t h democracy.
Constitutional limitations o n government spending—manda-
tory balanced budgets at every level of government—are the
only reliable means for c o n t r o l l i n g public servants in their
tendencies to tax and tax, a n d s p e n d and s p e n d . A l l appropria-
tions must be financed from current revenues. Taxpayer resist-
ance w i l l p r o v i d e the needed restraint a n d w i l l c o m p e l legis-
lators to make c o m p r o m i s e s between c o m p e t i n g needs.
R e d u c i n g the size of government by stripping it of the u n w i s e
activities it has assumed i n the past century w i l l be a gargan-
tuan and c o m p l e x task. O u r republic is a democracy of factions,
each reflecting special social, economic, a n d political interests.
Prevailing circumstances have caused politicians to r e s p o n d to
pressures from these factions w i t h insufficient regard for total
costs and long-term effects. M a n d a t e d s p e n d i n g limits w i l l
permit elected representatives to respond to the needs of each
group, but w i t h appropriate restraint and c o m p r o m i s e . M a n y
state governments are operating in this manner quite success-
fully.
C o m p u l s o r y balancing of the federal budget w i l l require give
and take a n d political c o m p r o m i s e . M a n y government activities
w i l l have to be discontinued and their armies of employees
forced to seek w o r k in the private sector. Elected legislators and
heads of government must reassert a c o n t r o l l i n g role for the
48 PROSPECTS F O R T H E A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y
c o m m o n people, e n d i n g the petty tyrannies a n d entrenched

hegemonies of m a r g i n a l l y useful g o v e r n m e n t w o r k e r s .
W i s e p l a n n i n g must give appropriate consideration to our
military a n d strategic situation. U n t i l the w o r l d is absolutely
assured of universal peace enforced by joint actions of the
major p o w e r s , it w i l l be necessary for the U n i t e d States to
c o m p r o m i s e the ideal of universal free trade. So l o n g as foreign
p o w e r s threaten o u r internal security a n d o u r access to essen-
tial external r a w materials we must retain a strung defense i n -
dustry, even though this increases the costs a n d reduces the
availability of c o n s u m e r goods. Painful choices w i l l be forced on
politicians restrained by constitutional s p e n d i n g l i m i t s .
A m e r i c a must r e m a i n strong—strong e n o u g h to safeguard
our liberties, but not so strong as to threaten the existence of
other nations w h o seek a peaceful w o r l d .
We still are a wealthy n a t i o n . We have sufficient resources to
feed, clothe, a n d house our people. T h a n k s to the m u l t i p l i c a -
t i o n of h u m a n labor by machines, we can continue to achieve a
comfortable standard of l i v i n g for each family unit, b u t it w i l l
require all of us to w o r k , even those w h o have partial dis-
abilities. We no longer can afford to support able-bodied
citizens on the p u b l i c dole, perpetuating poverty f r o m one
generation to the next.
O u r social security system has become severely strained by
the m a n y obligations w h i c h have been thrust u p o n it w i t h o u t
adequate funding. It requires drastic remodelling. Benefits must
reflect the p r e m i u m s w h i c h have been p a i d , just as w i t h
privately funded insurance a n d retirement programs. Welfare
functions must be separated from Social Security a n d be
f u n d e d by direct appropriations.
Some citizens w i l l w o r k b e y o n d customary retirement age
w h e n the needs of society require their assistance.
" M a t u r e " o r l o n g established social insurance programs i n
m a n y industrialized nations require r o u g h l y one quarter of the
paychecks of the w o r k i n g p o p u l a t i o n to adequately f u n d
reasonable benefits. Faced w i t h the n e e d for this k i n d of
expenditure, many citizens might choose private insurance for
their retirement programs. F e w g o v e r n m e n t officials have
demonstrated sufficient financial s k i l l and acumen to warrant
PROSPECTS F O R T H E A M E R I C A N E C O N O M Y 49
g i v i n g them the responsibility for m a n a g i n g this large fraction

of the national i n c o m e . Because of this, it w o u l d be wise to
grant citizens the o p t i o n of selecting a p p r o v e d private carriers.
D u r i n g the next few decades there w i l l be a leveling of living
standards throughout the w o r l d . W h e t h e r it is a leveling up or a
leveling d o w n w i l l depend u p o n the w i s d o m w i t h w h i c h
humanity acts. N a t i o n s that prudently oversee capital forma-
tion and use w i l l be in the forefront of economic progress. N a -
tions whose citizens are industrious, educated, adaptable, a n d
productive w i l l prosper, even t h o u g h they m a y not be abun-
dantly s u p p l i e d w i t h domestic natural resources. People w i l l
continue to be the most important resource of all in the compe-
tition for material, intellectual a n d spiritual progress.
We in A m e r i c a are blessed w i t h a large share of the w o r l d ' s
riches. We are a diverse a n d talented people. We have at o u r
disposal effective means for transforming o u r collective w i l l
into sensible structuring of our government a n d our society.
We must strive to excel in w i s d o m and c o m p a s s i o n , a n d b u i l d a
better w o r l d for our children and the c h i l d r e n of a l l the w o r l d .
We can be the masters of o u r destiny.
VII
Proposals for
Improving Our
Society
THERE A R E M A N Y A R E A S i n A m e r i c a n society w h i c h deserve

p l a n n e d i m p r o v e m e n t . S i m p l e proposals for s o l v i n g c o m p l e x
problems are often inadequate, but they m a y suggest n e w
approaches w h i c h deserve consideration. I offer here the
thoughts of one citizen relating to some of our more pressing
problems.
1. E D U C A T I O N
A nation's p e o p l e are its most valuable resource. L i k e other
resources, it is worthless unless it is d e v e l o p e d and put to
w o r k . In the m o d e r n w o r l d , a nation of illiterate a n d u n d e r e d u -
cated h u m a n beings is unable to compete. Nations that are
most successful in rearing c h i l d r e n to become knowledgeable,
responsible, and dedicated adults are destined to prevail in the
w o r l d c o m p e t i t i o n for g o o d s , markets, a n d intellectual achieve-
ment. E v e n t h o u g h w e s p e n d vast a m o u n t s o n education, o u r
country is falling b e h i n d in this vital race. N e a r l y 20 per cent. of
A m e r i c a n workers are functionally illiterate—unable to c o m p r e -
h e n d s i m p l e written instructions. M a n y w h o have received
h i g h school d i p l o m a s are almost d e v o i d of understanding in the
50
PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING OUR SOCIETY 51
fields of science, history, a n d mathematics. Yet these are

workers w h o w i l l staff our e c o n o m y as we attempt to meet i n -
creasing foreign competition.
O u r schools are not d o i n g an adequate job. N e i t h e r are o u r
parents. A c a d e m i c standards are geared to mediocrity, not to
excellence. Great emphasis is p l a c e d on sports, music, a n d
other pleasant, extra-curricular activities. O u r schools c o n s u m e
a major share of local tax revenues, yet they operate for o n l y 180
days a year. Schools in Japan operate 240 days a year, w i t h
eight-hour days, five-and-one-half-day weeks, and extra w o r k
and tutoring after school hours for p r o m i s i n g students.
Japanese students out-perform A m e r i c a n s in most subjects in
all age groups. In o u r schools, c o m p e t i t i o n is stressed on the
athletic field, but neglected in the classroom. We give little e m -
phasis to the teaching of basic etiquette, especially in those
schools where students are most in need of it. We often permit
slovenly habits in w o r k , dress, speech, and d e c o r u m . Teachers
are sometimes abused by students, a n d fail to achieve the
necessary authority from parents and taxpayers to assert appro-
priate d i s c i p l i n e and attitudes in the classroom. D i s r u p t i v e
student behavior by some hinders the educational process for
others. Teachers are not w e l l paid, often receiving less c o m p e n -
sation than the janitors w h o sweep their hallways. A d m i n i s t r a -
tive staffs are top heavy w i t h marginally useful assistants,
coaches, coordinators, a n d counselors. M a n y of these e m -
ployees h o l d jobs w h i c h have been mandated by legislators
through w e l l m e a n i n g but inappropriate measures designed to
aid the h a n d i c a p p e d , to p r o m o t e racial equality, or to a d -
minister redundant rules and regulations i m p o s e d from outside
the local school system. P a y i n g their salaries hinders efforts to
increase compensation for those w h o are the backbone of g o o d
schools: the teachers.
Major advances in h u m a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g are made by bright
y o u n g m i n d s that have been w e l l educated and p r o p e r l y
directed. The outer borders of k n o w l e d g e are so far advanced
that many years of intensive study are required for a student to
reach the frontiers, retracing the steps of those w h o have gone
before. Isaac N e w t o n , D a r w i n , Einstein, a n d m a n y others made
their major discoveries as y o u n g adults, and used their ad-
vancing years to elaborate a n d apply the insights achieved in
52 PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING OUR SOCIETY
their y o u t h . The early years of s c h o o l i n g are critically i m -

portant.
It w o u l d be p r u d e n t to d e v e l o p a two-track system in
A m e r i c a n schools—letting the most capable y o u n g students
enter a c u r r i c u l u m that is more intense, far ranging, a n d
d e m a n d i n g than that for average y o u n g m i n d s . Separation of
the t w o tracks c o u l d be at the second or t h i r d grade level, w i t h
p r o v i s i o n for crossovers in either direction at later stages, as
indicated by i n d i v i d u a l student progress and desires.
A l l students s h o u l d be challenged w i t h a c u r r i c u l u m de-
s i g n e d to prepare them to enter the competitive w o r l d . Excel-
lence s h o u l d be stressed for all occupational levels—from boot-
black to corporate officer. P r i d e in performance s h o u l d be i n -
stilled in all A m e r i c a n s . The course of s t u d y s h o u l d be flexible,
p e r m i t t i n g some students to proceed w i t h college preparation
w h i l e others are directed into specific occupational fields.
The array of courses offered s h o u l d be based u p o n realistic
appraisals of the job market, as reflected in the r e c o m m e n d a -
tions of potential e m p l o y e r s a n d a survey of " h e l p w a n t e d "
c o l u m n s i n major newspapers. D e p e n d i n g u p o n their aptitudes
a n d desires, students m a y be encouraged to become chefs,
clerks, domestics, mechanics, or h u n d r e d s of other performers
i n our society. M a x i m u m effort a n d performance m u s t b e
stressed at all times. Chefs must think of themselves as good
chefs, mechanics as good mechanics, and executives as good
executives. Certificates granted after c o m p l e t i o n of specific
courses must honestly reflect student performance so that
e m p l o y e r s can rely on the significance of the certificate.
Foreign language s t u d y has l o n g been neglected in our
schools. It was not essential to o u r prosperity in the past, but
times have c h a n g e d . M a n y A m e r i c a n s m u s t become fluent i n
the languages of o u r trading partners so that our interests are
properly served. We must develop language studies in our
schools, b e g i n n i n g in the early grades a n d c o n t i n u i n g t h r o u g h
the university level. We are fortunate in possessing m a n y i m m i -
grants w h o are fluent in the languages of their h o m e l a n d s w h o
can assist in teaching o u r c h i l d r e n .
M a n y students c o m e f r o m socially inadequate homes, fre-
quently w i t h o n l y one parent. V e r y often that parent is educa-
tionally d e p r i v e d , unable to teach the c h i l d courteous behavior.
P R O P O S A L S FOR I M P R O V I N G O U R S O C I E T Y 53
good g r o o m i n g , proper grammar, and the other social graces

that are so helpful in occupational and social advancement. I m -
portant early training is neglected. O u r schools m u s t serve " i n
loco p a r e n t i s , " m a k i n g u p deficiencies that otherwise w i l l
handicap ill-favored c h i l d r e n for life.
O u r schools must establish certain standards. There is a
legitimate place for "dress c o d e s , " despite objections from
rebellious students w h o in their i m m a t u r i t y believe that s u c h
rules are an abridgement of personal freedom. Cleanliness a n d
general appearance are important in the real w o r l d , a n d this fact
must be taught to all our c h i l d r e n .
We are s e n d i n g too many of our y o u n g people to institutions
of higher learning. M a n y are i m p e l l e d by social pressures rather
than by a genuine desire for intellectual advancement.
O u r h o m e s a n d schools are our most valuable productive
machinery, for it is w i t h i n them that we prepare our future
citizens for their productive lives. Yet it is here that we fail o u r
children.
Some of o u r failings result from social handicaps present in
American society, a n d not f o u n d in nations such as Japan.
These include w i d e s p r e a d divorce, illiteracy, sexual permissive-
ness w i t h its associated u n m a r r i e d and teenage parenting, a n d
extensive social diversity a n d fragmentation, w i t h o u t generally
accepted standards d e m a n d i n g that all citizens must w o r k .
M u c h can be said for those Japanese traditions w h i c h keep
mothers of y o u n g children in the h o m e , especially d u r i n g the
early, formative years in w h i c h basic attitudes a n d characters
are formed. A c h i e v i n g this goal in m o d e r n A m e r i c a w i l l require
a return to older patterns w h i c h protected the economic i n -
terests of mothers w h o thus sacrifice their o w n selfish interests
to serve family and social needs. These w o m e n cannot be
tossed aside by divorce or abandonment. Fathers must be re-
quired to fulfill their obligation to the family unit. W a n d e r i n g
fathers must be forced to support their c h i l d r e n .
We are in need of a fundamental reevaluation of o u r goals
and a s w e e p i n g reorganization of o u r entire educational
system. T h e p l a n n i n g g r o u p s h o u l d i n c l u d e not o n l y teachers
and school administrators, but representatives of business a n d
the professions. E d u c a t i o n a l methods e m p l o y e d in other na-
tions s h o u l d be s t u d i e d to discover approaches w h i c h might be

of use to us. P r o m i s i n g m e t h o d s f r o m their societies s h o u l d be
adapted to our o w n .
The presence of n u m e r o u s p o o r l y motivated i n d i v i d u a l s in
our universities hampers educational effectiveness. H i g h e r
education s h o u l d be m a d e more competitive, restoring g e n u i n e
prestige to the possession of a college degree. There s h o u l d be
conscious p l a n n i n g in the allocation of student talent to specific
fields, such as law, m e d i c i n e , engineering, business a d m i n i s -
tration, a n d others. Class size s h o u l d be regulated in an
enlightened manner. Smaller student bodies, higher faculty
salaries, and longer learning sessions can produce better e d u -
cated graduates.
We waste m i l l i o n s of man hours and vast stores of h u m a n
talent w h e n we train l a w y e r s and doctors to enter o v e r c r o w d e d
fields. We s h o u l d consciously encourage students to enter
occupations in w h i c h their abilities w i l l help us face increasing
technical a n d economic competition in the w o r l d . L i m i t i n g
a d m i s s i o n s to schools that train students for o v e r c r o w d e d fields
w i l l control the p r o b l e m . Society does not have an o b l i g a t i o n to
p r o v i d e an education in a specific profession for every student
w h o w i s h e s to enter it. If requirements are based u p o n honest
c o m p e t i t i o n , there w i l l be little injustice. Reliable information
c o n c e r n i n g opportunities i n other fields w i l l assist students i n
a p p l y i n g their talents w h e r e they c a n be most useful and
p r o p e r l y compensated.
O u r failings w i t h i n A m e r i c a n homes are not easily corrected.
We have problems w h i c h are not often encountered in nations
such as Japan, where l o n g established traditions stabilize
h u m a n behavior more effectively than in the U n i t e d States.
Wholesale reorganization of our educational system is essen-
tial. But that w i l l not solve all our t r a i n i n g p r o b l e m s . It must be
accompanied b y legislation w h i c h w i l l effectively encourage
socially acceptable behavior, i n c l u d i n g responsible parenting,
b y all o u r citizens.
O u r present social chaos c a n be significantly corrected
t h r o u g h rational actions by o u r elected officials if s u p p o r t e d by
an informed electorate.
2. MORALITY
M o r a l i t y a n d immorality are forbidden subjects in our p u b l i c

schools, in large part because of efforts by m i s g u i d e d " l i b e r a l s "
to prevent the teaching of any identifiably religious doctrines.
Yet we permit antireligious philosophies to be presented in a
variety of courses, a n d leave blank those pages w h i c h c o u l d tell
the admittedly imperfect story of religions as they have at-
tempted to conquer our a n i m a l nature in the course of history.
O u r present situation is paradoxical. Since the birth of our n a -
tion, we have accorded to r e l i g i o n a recognized, if nonsectarian,
role in the w o r k i n g s of our government. We acknowledge
shortcomings in o u r religious beliefs a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g . We
observe great diversity in the creeds and ceremonies of our
citizens. Y e t we manage to o p e n each session of Congress w i t h
an appeal to the A l m i g h t y for guidance. We include the phrase
" u n d e r G o d " i n o u r pledge o f allegiance. W e recognize the
deity on many of o u r coins. We have p r o v i d e d chaplains of
every d e n o m i n a t i o n as spiritual guides for o u r military per-
sonnel.
Yet we strain the doctrine of separation of C h u r c h a n d State
to such an extreme in our public schools that we prevent a n y
mention of G o d in the classroom.
M o r a l i t y , ethics, and religion are closely intertwined. Early
Greek philosophers delighted in p o n d e r i n g questions relating
to " c a u s a l i t y , " "ultimate ends," a n d "eternal v a l u e s . " T h e
Stoics w h o l i v e d 500 years before C h r i s t believed that our i m -
pulse to do g o o d s t e m m e d from a spark of D i v i n i t y that b u r n e d
w i t h i n each h u m a n m i n d . Studies of these basic questions in
the past 2,500 years continue to occupy the attention of p h i l o s o -
phers of every description, their expositions endlessly criss-
crossing the intellectual territory of the w o r l d ' s religions. F i n a l
answers a n d absolute truths are forever b e y o n d the reach of
mortals. But we do need guidance, and c a n seek partial
answers w h i c h we h o p e w i l l be sufficient for our needs.
Because of traditions that have associated moral standards
with specific religious beliefs, it has been difficult to establish
practical behavioral standards w i t h i n our schools.
As a general rule, children a n d most adults are more effec-
tively g u i d e d by s i m p l e , understandable rules regarding right
a n d w r o n g than b y c o m p l e x p h i l o s o p h i c a l discussions. W e
observe the social ills resulting from dishonesty, sexual promis-
c u i t y , divorce, d r u g abuse, and other socially h a r m f u l behavior.
Y e t we fail to p r o v i d e our y o u t h w i t h effective guidelines. By
implication, " a n y t h i n g g o e s . " E v e n the Boy Scout L a w s , w h i c h
attempt to p r o v i d e y o u n g m e n w i t h a code of h o n o r , cannot be
taught in our schools because they make reference to G o d .
No nation can endure w i t h o u t practical standards for h u m a n
conduct, in the h o m e , in business, in society, and in inter-
national relationships. These standards need not be copies of
the rules of any particular religion, but they m u s t be standards
to w h i c h we can a l l attempt to c o n f o r m .
In view of l o n g traditions w h i c h have persisted without
serious challenge in o u r courts since our nation was founded, it
s h o u l d not require a constitutional a m e n d m e n t to permit elec-
tive courses in r e l i g i o n in our p u b l i c schools. It s h o u l d be no
more contrary to public policy to offer a prayer at commence-
ment exercises than it has been for two centuries to offer
prayers in the halls of C o n g r e s s .
Students in our schools are taught m o d e r n concepts in
chemistry, b i o l o g y , history, a n d other secular subjects. T h e y
learn to question conclusions that are not s u p p o r t e d by facts, it
w i l l therefore be essential that religion teachers are prepared to
present their subject matter i n a m a n n e r w h i c h w i l l be accept-
able to enlightened m i n d s .
F r o m a h a r m o n i o u s b l e n d i n g of religious belief and tradition
w i t h an awareness of social needs it w i l l be possible to general-
ize rules of morality w h i c h c a n be accepted by society at large as
guides for personal, corporate, and governmental conduct.
3. R E G U L A T I N G O U R N A T I O N A L BORDERS
A nation that cannot control its borders is like a house w i t h -
out walls, Its citizens and c o m m e r c e are in constant jeopardy.
A l t h o u g h A m e r i c a n s have traditionally favored liberal i m m i -
gration policies, a n d our citizens are of i m m i g r a n t stock, our
present circumstances n o w d e m a n d major changes. We are
straining our resource base to p r o v i d e o u r citizens w i t h a c o m -
fortable standard of l i v i n g . Several other nations n o w exceed
our per capita i n c o m e , a n d we are l o s i n g out in the international
competition for industrial p r o d u c t i o n of many k i n d s . M i l l i o n s

of A m e r i c a n s are u n e m p l o y e d , a situation further aggravated
by the entry of m a n y w o m e n into the w o r k force. N e a r l y three
of four mothers are n o w e m p l o y e d outside the h o m e , a situa-
tion made necessary by economic a n d social pressures.
Nearly ten per cent. of A m e r i c a n s are not w o r k i n g , a n d are
supported by public charity of one k i n d or another. Paradoxi-
cally, employers are unable to recruit enough w o r k e r s to fill
many openings in certain less than glamorous fields.
While thousands of A m e r i c a n s are supported in idleness in
N e w Y o r k or Detroit, foreigners are smuggled across o u r
borders by the h u n d r e d s of thousands each year to take jobs
that our o w n people reject. In cities such as Chicago, h u n d r e d s
of thousands of illegal aliens are d r i v i n g taxis, staffing hotels,
w o r k i n g in factories, a n d d o i n g other w o r k rejected by idle but
able-bodied A m e r i c a n s .
We can no longer afford to tolerate this ridiculous situation!
An illiterate M e x i c a n or Jamaican citizen w i l l travel thousands
of miles to eagerly seek such e m p l o y m e n t ; u n e m p l o y e d A m e r i -
cans s h o u l d be required to make similar efforts. So l o n g as we
continue to p r o v i d e a m i n i m u m income for our l a z y or u n -
skilled non-workers, they w i l l continue to be n o n - w o r k e r s .
Changes m u s t be m a d e , a n d p r o m p t l y . If a farmer in Florida or
California needs field workers, u n e m p l o y e d A m e r i c a n s in other
parts of the n a t i o n m u s t be required to accept such e m p l o y -
ment, even if this involves re-training and relocating them.
When necessary, we s h o u l d assist citizens in m o v i n g from
areas of h i g h u n e m p l o y m e n t to areas where jobs are available.
Inconvenience and readjustment are a necessary part of the
process a n d must be accepted as a matter of course. Most of our
ancestors crossed an ocean to come to this l a n d of opportunity,
usually in poverty, and w i t h o u t government assistance.
Proposals to require proof of citizenship are sometimes c r i t i -
cized as being " u n A m e r i c a n , " or a k i n to regulations of a police
state. A c t u a l l y , most A m e r i c a n s are quite w i l l i n g to prove their
identity w h e n seeking e m p l o y m e n t . They do not object to this
requirement w h e n cashing a check, or settling a m i n o r traffic
violation.
Everyone s h o u l d have a non-forgeable identity card, w i t h
name, address, social security number, and a single t h u m b
p r i n t . The original w o u l d be kept in a central office. A copy

w o u l d be carried by each citizen w h e n seeking e m p l o y m e n t or
g o v e r n m e n t - p r o v i d e d benefits. It w o u l d not be necessary for
employers to ask for any additional proof of citizenship from
job applicants. It w o u l d not be necessary to e m p l o y additional
federal w o r k e r s to police our borders. Foreign w o r k e r s could
not enter o u r country w i t h o u t prior a p p r o v a l for e m p l o y m e n t
in jobs w h i c h cannot otherwise be filled. A m e r i c a n s w h o hired
" u n d o c u m e n t e d a l i e n s " (those w i t h o u t this simple proof of
citizenship) w o u l d be heavily fined. A m e r i c a n s w h o refused to
accept e m p l o y m e n t reasonably w i t h i n their capability w o u l d be
d e n i e d u n e m p l o y m e n t benefits, food stamps, a n d the l i k e . We
have been able to tolerate their behavior in the past s i m p l y
because we were so prosperous, but n o w we have become a
debtor n a t i o n . F i n a n c i a l strains on o u r economy w i l l make it
necessary that all able bodied citizens w o r k , even if this
requires some to accept e m p l o y m e n t w h i c h they feel is below
their social station, or is esthetically distasteful. Requiring
productive labor w i l l strengthen our civic values, not w e a k e n
them.
4. T R A N S P O R T A T I O N
Predictions of any k i n d are uncertain at best. A n t i c i p a t e d
trends are often reversed or m o d i f i e d by n e w discoveries and
altered circumstances.
An industrial society scattered over a territory as large as ours
must have a distribution network for raw materials, finished
goods, and p e o p l e .
O u r present transport system depends almost entirely u p o n
internal c o m b u s t i o n engines fueled w i t h petroleum products.
We are r a p i d l y depleting o u r o w n reserves of crude o i l , and are
increasingly dependent u p o n foreign sources. E v e n those
reserves are finite, a n d w i l l not last forever.
Efforts are being intensified to develop alternative energy
sources. T h e direct c o n v e r s i o n of sunlight to electrical energy,
or the indirect use of sunlight to generate h y d r o g e n from water,
both h o l d p r o m i s e . The use of vegetation or of o i l shale and o i l
sand m a y some day p r o v i d e affordable fuels, but it seems likely
that A m e r i c a ' s vast coal beds w i l l s u p p l y m u c h of o u r energy
for a l o n g time to c o m e . This source w i l l be s u p p l e m e n t e d for a
time by fissionable materials fueling electric generation, and

some day in the future may be replaced forever by atomic
fusion. In the meantime, coal can p r o v i d e m u c h of o u r power.
We have a vast network of h i g h w a y s and s u p e r h i g h w a y s .
These are p u b l i c property, are not taxed, a n d can be used by all.
But times have changed. O u r h i g h w a y system is n o w subsi-
dized so intensely that trucking has become the d o m i n a n t
means for transporting m a n y r a w materials and most m a n u -
factured products. A l t h o u g h trucks pay significant taxes in the
form of licensing fees and fuel levies, they do not pay their
share of h i g h w a y costs. H i g h w a y engineers estimate that 90
per cent. of the vehicular damage on o u r roads is the result of
heavily loaded trucks. O u r interstate system m i g h t double its
useful life if it carried no trucks. We have accepted the wear a n d
costs of trucking because of the benefits it has brought us in
providing door to door transportation. Yet from the standpoint
of energy efficiency and national security there w o u l d be a d -
vantages in shifting m u c h of the heavier l o n g distance traffic to
railroads, as is done in Western E u r o p e .
Under present circumstances, this cannot be done. O u r rail-
roads must b u i l d and maintain their o w n lines, pay property
taxes in every county and state, a n d compete at the same time
with trucking operations w h i c h have access to p u b l i c l y m a i n -
tained highways, roads, and streets.
As a result, we observe railroad companies completely e l i m i -
nating tracks w h i c h once served m a n y s m a l l t o w n s and
hamlets, leaving these centers totally dependent on trucks a n d
automobiles for all transportation needs.
Steel wheels rolling on steel rails, p o w e r e d by abundant coal
reserves, can still p r o v i d e A m e r i c a w i t h efficient, reliable, a n d
economical transportation.
For reasons of military preparedness, if for no other, we
should consider rejuvenating o u r railroads. W h e n petroleum
sources shrink, we still w i l l have coal. M o d e r n technology per-
mits coal to be used w i t h little p o l l u t i o n , whether in railroad
engines or in central generating plants that service electric rail
power.
It might be desirable for the federal g o v e r n m e n t to establish a
national railway n e t w o r k , m a i n t a i n e d by government, but o p e n
to privately o w n e d railroad companies in m u c h the same

manner that n o w lets private truckers use our h i g h w a y s . The
n e t w o r k w o u l d not be taxed, cancelling a major e c o n o m i c dis-
advantage. H e a v y , double track systems c o u l d connect large
urban areas, w i t h single tracks once again s e r v i n g every
c o m m u n i t y . In some cases the m e d i a n strip of the interstate
h i g h w a y s c o u l d p r o v i d e right o f w a y s . H e a v y , b u l k y loads
c o u l d be shifted to the railroads for l o n g distance m o v e s . Trucks
c o u l d continue to handle local d i s t r i b u t i o n .
M o n e t a r y savings to our e c o n o m y w o u l d be considerable,
a n d o u r dependence u p o n foreign fuels w o u l d be lessened.
5. CITY P L A N N I N G
O u r earliest forebears were p r i m i t i v e hunters w h o moved
f r o m campsite to campsite. W i t h the d e v e l o p m e n t of agri-
culture, they began to p e r m a n e n t l y o c c u p y convenient sites.
H o m e s and storerooms were constructed in clusters, establish-
ing the first p r i m i t i v e villages. As agricultural p r o d u c t i o n in-
creased, some w o r k e r s acquired n e w skills as metal workers,
builders, a n d merchants.
There were inherent advantages in this arrangement. A varie-
ty of s k i l l e d workers in close p r o x i m i t y made their services
available to large numbers of people. T h e y c o u l d specialize and
i m p r o v e their efficiency. There were military advantages in
p o p u l a t i o n concentrations subject to a shared system of govern-
ment a n d defending c o m m o n interests.
Large populations favored m a n y economic activities, g i v i n g
the larger t o w n s and cities advantages over the smaller. The
pattern was f o l l o w e d w o r l d - w i d e in the e v o l u t i o n of urban
centers.
The disadvantages of city l i v i n g , h o w e v e r , also became ap-
parent. C r o w d i n g thousands i n s m a l l areas brought problems
i n p r o v i d i n g water a n d food, i n waste disposal, and i n recrea-
tional opportunities. As early as 3500 years B . C . , the Egyptians
d e v e l o p e d p l a n n e d cities in attempts to relieve these short-
c o m i n g s . Their e x a m p l e was later f o l l o w e d by the G r e e k s a n d
R o m a n s , w i t h v a r y i n g success.
In spite of constant warfare, a n d plagues a n d famines,
h u m a n numbers increased d u r i n g m e d i e v a l times.
The industrial r e v o l u t i o n caused another surge in h u m a n

population. The economic advantages of large n u m b e r s of
workers w i t h i n w a l k i n g distance of factories and mines caused
a proliferation of slums a n d urban blight. Occasionally, voices
were raised in favor of rational city p l a n n i n g , w h i c h w o u l d c o n -
sider h u m a n needs b e y o n d p r o v i d i n g basic shelter and a sur-
vival diet. But in the face of intense economic competition,
those voices were seldom heard.
Throughout the industrial w o r l d , p r o d u c t i o n and marketing
factors caused the d e v e l o p m e n t of mega cities. Large factories
required large labor forces. H o u s i n g a n d feeding those p o p u l a -
tions could be accomplished at l o w e r immediate cost if they
were concentrated close to the productive facilities.
Today, it is not u n u s u a l for five or ten m i l l i o n souls to live a n d
work in a single confluent area of streets, b u i l d i n g s , a n d other
structures s p r a w l e d over perhaps 100 square miles, w i t h here
and there a park or a p o n d reserved as a gesture of reconcilia-
tion to an offended M o t h e r N a t u r e .
Certain economic principles cause central areas in large cities
to develop extremely h i g h land values s i m p l y because they are
located along transport lines a n d are s u r r o u n d e d by large
numbers of h u m a n beings w h o are both producers a n d con-
sumers. Once set in motion, augmentation of central property
values tends to be perpetuated. If transportation is available,
merchandising a n d financial activities concentrate in those
favored areas. Property o w n e r s increase their advantage by
erecting larger a n d larger b u i l d i n g s . The process feeds on itself.
Hotels and amusement activities develop in the n e i g h b o r h o o d .
Skyscraping towers are built, p r i m a r i l y for business activities,
but increasingly for h o u s i n g more affluent w o r k e r s close to
their places of w o r k . Less favored workers, w h o compose the
vast majority, are not h e l p e d by these trends. T h e y are c r o w d e d
to peripheral s l u m s or to o u t l y i n g suburbs, and must s p e n d
hours every d a y in the n o n - p r o d u c t i v e activity of c o m m u t i n g .
To accommodate their travels, governments must spend
billions of dollars to b u i l d a n d m a i n t a i n vast h i g h w a y and street
networks. Citizens must b u y a n d m a i n t a i n automobiles and
consume untold amounts of fuel in their d a i l y travels, c r o w d i n g
the city centers and p o l l u t i n g the atmosphere. Buses and trains
add to the expense and confusion.
Yet once it is in place, a megalopolis presents great attractions

for n e w businesses. It provides resources and markets close at
h a n d , w i t h every conceivable sort of secondary support in the
f o r m of machines, transport, consultants, plus a large labor
pool.
It is possible that a relatively small encouragement in the form
of tax incentives a n d l o w e r labor costs m i g h t lure future new
enterprises to m o r e rural settings. S u c h trends have become ap-
parent in the shift of our textile i n d u s t r y and others from the
Northeast into our sunbelt states in recent years.
T h e social rewards w h i c h w o u l d follow an expansion and
general application of p l a n n e d decentralization of business and
i n d u s t r y w o u l d justify their costs m a n y times over. A c h i e v i n g
that goal w i l l require overruling p u r e l y economic forces that
n o w dominate city g r o w t h .
S l u m s can be eliminated. H o m e s , factories, a n d commercial
and retail centers can be spatially arranged w i t h efficient inter-
n a l travel patterns a n d w i t h adequate separation of incom-
patible functions. Electronic intercommunications c o u l d com-
pensate for the loss of physical p r o x i m i t y between specific
u r b a n entities. T h e savings i n h u m a n hours a n d c o m m u t i n g
fuel alone w o u l d p a y a large part of the costs of decentraliza-
tion.
A n increased role for u r b a n p l a n n i n g can d o m u c h for i m -
p r o v i n g the daily lives of our descendants.
6. C O N S E R V A T I O N
T h e gene pools of the plants, animals, and microorganisms

w h i c h survive in the r e m a i n i n g w i l d areas of the w o r l d have re-
q u i r e d h u n d r e d s of m i l l i o n s of years to d e v e l o p their present
diversity. E x p a n d i n g h u m a n occupation of the lands and seas is
causing the extinction of m a n y unique l i v i n g forms every year.
H e r e in A m e r i c a we have replaced m u c h of the original wilder-
ness w i t h farms, cities, towns, and roads. Intensive farming is
c a u s i n g the loss of topsoil at a rate that threatens o u r l o n g term
ability to feed a large p o p u l a t i o n . It is essential that we regulate
our l a n d use, p r o h i b i t i n g destructive farming practices, a n d en-
c o u r a g i n g the preservation of natural areas. Eventually, we
m a y be able to restore expanses of prairie, forest, and wetland
to their p r i m e v a l state, w i t h re-established populations of their

natural flora a n d fauna. It may even be possible to d e v e l o p
genetic manipulations w h i c h w i l l " c r e a t e " n e w life forms to
enter the self-regulating processes of e v o l u t i o n a r y selection. In
future ages, o u r descendants m a y compensate in this m a n n e r
for the h a r m we are c a u s i n g today t h r o u g h u n p l a n n e d excesses
of our o w n r e p r o d u c t i o n .
7. M E D I C A L C O S T S
A m e r i c a n s n o w devote one tenth of their national i n c o m e to
medical, hospital, and nursing care. Costs continue to spiral
u p w a r d , d u e largely to endless n e w developments in tech-
nology, drugs, and p u b l i c expectations of immortality. In
theory, there is no scientific l i m i t to further advances, but from
a practical a n d fiscal standpoint, there must be l i m i t s . We
simply cannot afford to replace every failing heart w i t h a p u m p
or transplant. We cannot afford heroic measures to p r o l o n g by a
few weeks or months the existence of every a g i n g b o d y . It is
self-defeating to believe that we can continue to m a k e these
sophisticated services available, a n d to l o w e r their cost s i m p l y
by m a n d a t i n g l o w e r prices. It w i l l be necessary for w e l l i n -
formed citizens to w o r k w i t h knowledgeable physicians in
establishing guidelines that w i l l make possible a reasonable
allocation or " r a t i o n i n g " of the care we can collectively afford,
favoring those i n d i v i d u a l s whose c o n t i n u i n g lives are most
valuable to society at large.
6. L I T I G A T I O N
We have become a nation of litigants. M i l l i o n s of c i v i l suits
choke the court system, c a u s i n g endless delays, vast legal
expenses, and the defeat of justice.
A system of mandatory t h i r d party arbitration as a pre-condi-
tion for formal c o u r t r o o m trials c o u l d do m u c h to relieve the
congestion in our present system, w h i l e at the same time
reducing wasteful legal costs and p r o m o t i n g p r o m p t justice in
the resolution of disputes.
A r b i t r a t i o n panels c o u l d be p r o v i d e d at tax-payer expense. If
all parties to a dispute accept the decision of the arbitration
panel, the matter w o u l d be closed. If one or both parties persist
in seeking a jury trial, that service c o u l d be made available to

them on c o n d i t i o n that they agree to pay the full cost of such
litigation if they fail to w i n their case.
In a d d i t i o n , there s h o u l d be legislatively d e t e r m i n e d limits to
j u r y awards and legal fees. L i f e is full of risks. A single h u m a n
life is priceless. Yet under o u r present system, persuasive at-
torneys can convince juries that awards of m i l l i o n s of dollars
are appropriate penalties to assess against citizens w h o s e
actions resulted in loss of life or l i m b for injured clients. Those
attorneys then pocket a large fraction of those generous awards
for their legal services.
As a result, liability insurance carriers are unable to provide
financial protection at affordable prices for citizens or c o m -
panies or agencies of g o v e r n m e n t w h o s e activities expose t h e m
to risk of litigation. Analyses of the financial records of many
large insurance companies indicate that o n l y a s m a l l fraction of
liability p r e m i u m s is paid to injured parties; the l i o n ' s share is
c o n s u m e d in the expenses of litigation.
A m e r i c a is almost alone in this pattern. It is time for us to
f o l l o w the example of Great Britain or N e w Z e a l a n d , where
liability insurance is far less costly, a n d w h e r e certain disability
a n d death costs become a b u r d e n of the national social i n -
surance programs.
9. A NEW LANGUAGE
The h u m a n species comes in a w i d e variety of sizes, shapes,

colors, and facial features. That variety is matched by the more
than three thousand languages w h i c h have evolved in o u r l o n g
past history.
Studies of diverse languages reveal w i d e differences in gram-
mar, w o r d variation, s o u n d patterns, and syntax. T h e y also
reflect neurological and cognitive patterns shared by o u r entire
species, w h i c h appear to shape all languages in a c o m m o n
general m o l d .
T h e h u m a n larynx, throat, a n d m o u t h differ f r o m those of
other creatures, a n d permit us to vocalize more than two
h u n d r e d distinctive sounds, or p h o n e m e s . These we combine
in endless variety to form the w o r d s and phrases w h i c h
s y m b o l i z e our thoughts, and w h i c h permit us to transfer
information from one to another in s p o k e n or written f o r m .

Even primitive languages w h i c h pass from generation to
generation without the a i d of w r i t i n g m a y c o n t a i n m o r e t h a n
25,000 w o r d s .
D e s i g n i n g a universal h u m a n language for future generations
w i l l require discovery of the most efficient combinations and se-
quences of p h o n e m e s to most clearly express o u r thoughts w i t h
all their subtleties and nuances. O u r esthetic sense w i l l require
its symbolic forms in s o u n d and in letters to be pleasing to the
ear and to the eye.
Phonemes w i l l be arrayed in patterns w h i c h reflect variations
in function. Each s o u n d w i l l correspond precisely w i t h a single
visual s y m b o l . Inflections, pauses, r h y t h m s , and other m o d i f i -
cations of intonation w i l l be indicated by accent symbols.
The visual characters w i l l permit ease of w r i t i n g b y h a n d i n
the same form used in type so that both can be " r e c o g n i z e d "
by the seeing eyes of machines. In this way it w i l l be possible
for w o r d s to be spoken in the presence of an appropriate elec-
tromechanical device a n d to be transcribed in printed form by
that device. C o n v e r s e l y , the machine w i l l be able to " r e a d " the
printed v e r s i o n and " v o c a l i z e " it as clearly intelligible speech.
Development of the alphabet-syllabary of approximately 200
symbols w i l l facilitate constructing a totally n e w language de
novo, u n l i k e the m a n y previous efforts w h i c h have attempted
to b u i l d u p o n existing language patterns (Esperanto, Inter-
lingua, and others). The n e w language w i l l reflect consideration
for the s o u n d patterns in the most general—and presumably
most efficient—use w i t h i n the languages w h i c h exist today.
The new language c o u l d evolve to become a universal tool for
serving the c o m m u n i c a t i o n needs of h u m a n i t y .
VIII
A Beginning for the

Age of Reason
A L T H O U G H WE H A V E IDENTIFIED the probable lines of our

descent from ancestors w h o were less t h a n h u m a n , the precise
origins of h u m a n i t y are lost in the remote past. We share w i t h
o u r forebears a n d w i t h other creatures l i v i n g today many
anatomical and behavior features. W e d o not k n o w w h e n a n d
h o w the spark of primitive reason grew sufficiently bright to
transform us into w h a t we audaciously claim to be: H o m o
sapiens, M a n , the w i s e . The arrival of o u r species was not an
instantaneous event. V e r y l i k e l y it occurred gradually over
m a n y thousands of years. We have not yet completed the tran-
sition. O u r e v o l u t i o n continues even n o w as our e m e r g i n g
altruistic qualities struggle to gain dominance over the a n i m a l
fires w h i c h stubbornly s m o u l d e r in our nature.
O u r species has always been d i v i d e d into c o m p e t i n g factions.
E v e n today, race, national loyalties, a n d m a n y cultural values
conflict w i t h the more positive i m p u l s e s w h i c h m i g h t otherwise
make us a single h a r m o n i o u s family.
We feel menaced by neighbors w h o do not share our religious
a n d political p h i l o s o p h i e s . Fears caused by these a n d other dif-
ferences trigger animal-like responses. S u s p i c i o n a n d competi-
t i o n , rather than friendly cooperation, continue to dominate
international relationships.
66
A BEGINNING FOR T H E A G E OF R E A S O N 67
M o d e r n societies have o u t l a w e d m u r d e r as a means for

settling disputes between i n d i v i d u a l s . I cannot take the life or
property of another s i m p l y because he offends or threatens m e .
I cannot j o i n w i t h others to attack a n d destroy an adjoining
n e i g h b o r h o o d . If marauders enter my home to pillage a n d
destroy, society w i l l attempt to protect me with police and
military forces. We p r o v i d e elaborate means for settling c i v i l
disputes in a non-violent manner, but we fail to p r o v i d e similar
mechanisms for resolving conflicts at the international l e v e l ,
where the stakes are m u c h higher and the e v i l effects of conflict
far more destructive.
We have g i v e n token attention to this p r o b l e m with the
U n i t e d N a t i o n s , but we have m a d e it ineffective by p e r m i t t i n g
certain nations to veto its decisions.
We s p e n d vast sums for w e a p o n s and military personnel to
defend our interests a n d those of o u r allies, but are miserly and
unimaginative in seeking substitutes for w a r .
E v e n n o w , the w o r l d is w e a k e n e d and disgraced by prepara-
tions for possible wars. T h i s c o n d i t i o n c o u l d be a v o i d e d entirely
if we a n d o u r adversaries w o u l d rationally address the under-
l y i n g causes for conflict. We permit the threat of w a r to divert
us from d e v i s i n g means for regulating international conduct.
M e a n w h i l e , we neglect to rationally attack ignorance, p o v e r t y ,
and e x p l o d i n g h u m a n populations, w h i c h cause e n o r m o u s
misery and threaten thousands of other l i v i n g species.
Nations are s i m p l y large groups of i n d i v i d u a l s . T h e y s h o u l d
be b o u n d by the same moral a n d social restraints that apply in
interpersonal relationships, but here o u r standards have gone
completely astray. We still accept the w i l l f u l m u r d e r and
destruction of warfare w h e n governments declare that a state of
war exists, or w h e n w i t h real or c o n t r i v e d justification, they set
out to invade and conquer other nations.
W a r ' s causes are usually complex; it is often difficult to deter-
mine w h o is the aggressor, a n d w h i c h actions threaten w o r l d
peace. In general, however, international problems are s i m p l y
large scale versions of disputes between i n d i v i d u a l s , w h i c h are
usually resolved by courts of l a w .
Society has failed d i s m a l l y to establish practical and accept-
able rules of national conduct. It has failed equally to p r o v i d e
collective means for enforcing any such rules. We therefore
68 A BEGINNING FOR THE AGE OF REASON
continue t o live i n semi-anarchy. W e n o w have the o p p o r t u n i t y

a n d the grave d u t y to establish a limited rule of law c o v e r i n g all
nations in r e s o l v i n g their disputes w i t h one another.
The family of nations has become p o l a r i z e d a r o u n d the
U n i t e d States and the Soviet U n i o n . T h e teachings of K a r l M a r x
continue to influence the Soviet bloc. L i k e all U t o p i a n dreams,
M a r x ' s v i s i o n was appealing. But like Plato and m a n y others,
M a r x i g n o r e d the imperfections of the h u m a n c o n d i t i o n a n d the
failures of all previous attempts to establish U t o p i a n societies
that p r e s u p p o s e d an idealized v i e w of h u m a n nature.
M a r x i a n morality holds that the e n d justifies all means w h e n
the end is w o r l d c o m m u n i s m . T h i s tenet is inconsistent w i t h
reason. Dialectical materialism has little concern for the i n -
tangible but real forces of the spirit, w h i c h i n c l u d e love,
religious faith, a l t r u i s m , and other p r i m e movers of h u m a n
behavior. A n y rational basis for international cooperation must
consider h u m a n nature in its entirety. L a w w i t h o u t an ethical
basis cannot e n d u r e .
M a n y c o m m u n i s t leaders are n o doubt idealistic i n their o w n
fashion. T h e y believe they are s e r v i n g their people w h e n they
slavishly follow the d i c t u m s of M a r x a n d his m o d e r n suc-
cessors. But too m a n y , particularly those w h o reach the u p p e r
levels of leadership, are selected by the same processes w h i c h
brought to p o w e r Josef Stalin, w h o s e cruelties to his fellow
citizens were u n m a t c h e d even by the C z a r s .
R u s s i a n leadership is strongly influenced by more than 60
years of P a r t y rule. M a n y Russians believe that the U n i t e d
States is plotting their conquest. But m a n y others recognize
that we and o u r allies p r o v e d o u r peaceful intentions at the e n d
of W o r l d War II w h e n the U n i t e d States alone h a d the atomic
b o m b a n d c o u l d have conquered the earth. instead, we assisted
friend and foe alike in r e b u i l d i n g their shattered economies.
E v e n then, the followers of M a r x were infiltrating a n d sub-
v e r t i n g our open A m e r i c a n society, b u y i n g a n d stealing tech-
n o l o g y , a n d covertly i n f l u e n c i n g o u r domestic a n d foreign
policies i n m a n y w a y s .
Internationally, the c o m m u n i s t s have c o n t i n u e d to follow the
tenets of M a r x a n d L e n i n . T h e y have gained some degree of
c o n t r o l over one t h i r d of the h u m a n family. Their grip is not
A BEGINNING FOR THE AGE OF REASON 69
secure; it is based u p o n forced conformity, controlled informa-

tion, and closed national borders. No doubt there are m a n y
pent up tensions w i t h i n c o m m u n i s t societies w h i c h c o u l d ,
under proper circumstances, violently erupt.
The c o m m u n i s t nations deprive their citizens of material c o m -
forts in order to continue a massive military b u i l d u p . We can
only conclude they still have as their goal revolution and w o r l d
conquest. T h e y continue to export m o n e y , arms, m i l i t a r y
forces, a n d " p o l i t i c a l a d v i s o r s " to other nations, some of t h e m
struggling democracies, in attempts to o v e r t h r o w their g o v e r n -
ments. Some n o n - c o m m u n i s t governments, it m u s t be said, are
corrupt; m a n y of them are d o m i n a t e d by self-serving dictators.
But m a n y small nations have reasonably o p e n and honest
governments. Yet most must contend w i t h serious economic
and social problems on the one hand w h i l e plagued by w h o l e -
sale communist-directed sabotage a n d assassinations on the
other. It is extremely difficult to make democracy w o r k u n d e r
these conditions.
W h e n c o m m u n i s t minorities seek control of a nation they
have targeted for " r e v o l u t i o n , " they usually boycott elections.
They k n o w they cannot peacefully w i n over the "masses" they
profess to serve; they must use force and violence. After they
seize power, elections become a s h a m . No rival parties are
tolerated.
Elections consist s i m p l y of e n d o r s i n g a slate of candidates
nominated by the Party elite. M e m b e r s h i p in the Party is
limited to a small number—rarely more than six per cent.—of the
citizens. M e m b e r s accept Party discipline a n d policy in all
matters.
Expansionist activities by c o m m u n i s t nations tend to b r i n g
into prominence individuals w h o are inclined to use force m o r e
than persuasion. The impact of their activities often has a
similar effect w i t h i n the target nations. Efforts by Russia to ex-
port r e v o l u t i o n have p r o m p t e d us to give military assistance to
threatened nations. A v i c i o u s circle has been established.
Political evolution d i d nut die w i t h M a r x and L e n i n ! If o n l y
the w o r l d ' s leaders w o u l d devote at least 10 per cent. of their
military a n d research budgets to peace! Surely they c o u l d
devise political means for r e s o l v i n g their differences. If K a r l
Marx were alive today, he m i g h t enter s u c h a dialogue w i l l -
i n g l y , w i t h v i e w s quite different from those he enunciated a

century ago.
W a r between A m e r i c a a n d R u s s i a i s b o t h unthinkable a n d
u n w i n n a b l e . The m i n d s a n d hearts of h u m a n i t y can be w o n
o n l y b y rational means, a n d not b y violence. Leaders i n b o t h
countries s h o u l d jointly develop an international p h i l o s o p h y
w h e r e b y a variety of political a n d economic systems c a n coexist
i n friendly c o m p e t i t i o n . T h e h u m a n c o n d i t i o n permits a n i n -
finite variety of social adaptations. Political patterns w i l l under-
go endless change in the future. We s h o u l d not attempt to fit all
nations to one pattern. No system is suited to all future time.
If A m e r i c a a n d Russia w i l l agree o n this basic premise,
together they can lead the w o r l d in a new, nonviolent, revolu-
t i o n that w i l l make reason and c o m p a s s i o n the g u i d i n g forces of
humanity.
A m e r i c a n s seek a peaceful w o r l d . We resent h a v i n g to m a i n -
tain large military forces. But we are determined to preserve our
political freedoms. We observe R u s s i a , o u r recent ally a n d n o w
o u r self-proclaimed antagonist, b u i l d i n g awesome forces for
w a r . Both we a n d they k n o w that s u c h forces are far greater
t h a n necessary for self-defense.
W e w i l l not unilaterally d i s a r m w h e n confronted b y a nation
p l e d g e d to o u r conquest. We are not fools. We cannot accept
claims of disarmament from self-declared enemies w i t h o u t ab-
solute verification of those claims. We are prepared to reduce
o u r m i l i t a r y forces and to grant Russia the same rights of verifi-
cation that we ask for ourselves. T h e y reject any such p r o p o s a l .
We must, therefore, continue o u r efforts to block R u s s i a n ex-
p a n s i o n i s m , for a century if need be, even as we appeal to
Russian thinkers to seek political solutions for international fric-
tions.
Teachers advance, soldiers i m p e d e the progress of t h i r d -
w o r l d nations. A n s w e r s t o our problems w i l l b e f o u n d i n
k n o w l e d g e and cooperation, not in warfare and subversion.
We cannot compel o u r potential friends in Russia to abandon
the r i g i d teachings of M a r x , nor can they compel us to m o d i f y
the less p l e a s i n g features of C a p i t a l i s m . T h i n k i n g people in
both nations must s o o n realize the futility of c o n t i n u i n g the
" c o l d w a r " and its attendant arms race.
Surely we are capable of stabilizing national boundaries by

cooperative actions of the family of nations. The difficulties are
no more c o m p l e x and no less a m e n a b l e to analysis and s o l u -
tion than were the problems of p l a c i n g m e n on the m o o n , or of
decyphering the genetic codes of life. W h a t we must n o w p r o -
vide are the desire and the will to achieve that goal. M i n d s
capable of discovering solutions can be found in all the major
nations if o n l y we w i l l seek them out.
Let us join w i t h Russia in establishing a W o r l d Congress of
H u m a n Reason, to be located in Russia so as to balance the
United N a t i o n s location in N e w Y o r k . Let us finance it w i t h
funds taken from the military budgets of all nations. T h e n let us
gather in its halls the brightest a n d best m i n d s from every
corner of the earth, to concentrate on the major problems of the
human family w i t h absolute freedom and objectivity. Its
members w i l l have access t o all h u m a n k n o w l e d g e . T h e y w i l l
review the present state of h u m a n i t y a n d its future prospects.
The Congress w i l l define a n d rank o u r major problems, and
attempt to p r o v i d e solutions for t h e m . Its discussions w i l l be
open and v i g o r o u s , its studies u n h a m p e r e d by excessive
political loyalties. Its conclusions a n d proposals w i l l be p u b -
lished for the consideration of citizens everywhere. Nations
will be free to accept or to reject its recommendations and to
advance n e w proposals. E v e n t u a l l y , a consensus can be
reached on specific subjects.
The first a n d most pressing assignment w i l l be to expand a n d
perfect international l a w so as to assure the territorial integrity
and political independence of all nations. B o u n d a r y disputes
must be resolved in a w o r l d court. Information must be freely
exchanged and commerce encouraged, w o r l d w i d e . F r e e d o m of
the seas must be assured. Assistance and advice can be offered
in addressing t h o r n y domestic problems, such as those w h i c h
plague nations in the M i d d l e East.
Collective intervention in the internal affairs of a nation c a n
be permitted o n l y w h e n it is clearly demonstrated that its
government is tyrannical or otherwise oppressive. C e n s u r e in
the form of public c o n d e m n a t i o n or the a p p l i c a t i o n of economic
penalties m a y be i n v o k e d w h e n a nation is abusive to a m i n o r i -
ty of its citizens or to its neighbors.
Periodic o p e n elections c o u p l e d w i t h reasonable voter quali-

fications are the most reliable means for c o n f i r m i n g citizen ap-
p r o v a l of a g o v e r n m e n t . All nations s h o u l d be encouraged to
accept the discipline of periodic free elections.
On the w o r l d scene, h u m a n i t y must accept that l e v e l of inter-
national control as w i l l achieve these limited goals. Basic inter-
national l a w must be interpreted a n d applied t h r o u g h an i m -
partial court system w h i c h can act w i t h o u t fear of veto, and
w i t h the support of the major nations and their moral,
economic, a n d military forces. In extreme cases, decisions of
the w o r l d court must be enforced by collective military action.
O n l y in this w a y can w o r l d peace be assured.
A l l nations need not immediately accept this p r o p o s a l . If the
U n i t e d States a n d Russia w i l l give it their wholehearted support
a n d by their example convince others of the w i s d o m of their
decision, the rest of the family of nations w i l l sooner or later
j o i n in this rational alternative to w a r .
A n y n a t i o n m a y supplement the international police force
w i t h its o w n internal security forces, p r o v i d e d that these
military organizations are incapable of p o s i n g a threat to others.
C o n f i n i n g national armies w i t h i n their o w n territories is a duty
w h i c h must be a s s u m e d by the larger family of nations. This
alone w i l l prevent most wars.
A t o m i c arsenals s h o u l d be d i s m a n t l e d and their warheads
converted to peaceful uses. It m a y be prudent for the collective
international military c o m m a n d to maintain a m i n i m u m array
of atomic w e a p o n s d u r i n g the transition p e r i o d to discourage
the secret d e p l o y m e n t of similar arms by any i n d i v i d u a l nation.
In the political field, the peaceful interchange of ideas s h o u l d
be encouraged e v e n t h o u g h this cannot be m a n d a t e d . But
terrorists, political " a c t i v i s t s " a n d assassins or subversives w h o
seek the violent o v e r t h r o w of established governments must be
prosecuted. M i n i m u m standards for freedom of speech s h o u l d
be encouraged universally to enlighten government on the i n -
f o r m e d v i e w s of their citizens.
N e i t h e r we n o r the Russians have perfected o u r political a n d
economic m a c h i n e r y to p r o v i d e the "greatest g o o d for the
greatest n u m b e r . " O u r enterprise economy can be m o d i f i e d in
m a n y w a y s so as to m a i n t a i n e c o n o m i c incentives w h i l e avoid-
ing an unhealthy concentration of wealth through inheritance

or monopolistic practices.
Russia m a y find it advantageous to bring into the political
process a larger and more diversified segment of her p o p u l a -
tion. She m a y find it helpful to adopt certain " c a p i t a l i s t i c " i n -
centives for stimulating economic efficiency. Increased personal
freedom for her citizens m a y be beneficial for all.
As we have seen, all w h o share the h u m a n c o n d i t i o n are cap-
tives of inherited cultural attitudes. Therein are rooted the fric-
tions w h i c h divide the free and c o m m u n i s t w o r l d s .
Debates in the U n i t e d N a t i o n s A s s e m b l y , and discussions in
Geneva seeking the regulation of military weapons, although of
some value in temporarily r e d u c i n g tensions, are premised on
continuations of the faulty attitudes of history. T h e y do not
recognise or address the sources of our conflicts.
The abolition of w a r w i l l require a fundamental change in n a -
tional philosophy of all nations. T h e atomic arsenals of the major
powers p r o v i d e sufficient a n d obvious cause to accept that
change universally. Collective h u m a n r e a s o n — C o m m o n Sense
—can be the ultimate w e a p o n w i t h w h i c h this goal can be
achieved.
Extreme nationalism and fanatic political a n d religious faith
can be tamed through persistent appeals to informed reason.
Excessive reliance u p o n our rational p o w e r s can be tempered
with a respect for tradition and by our acknowledgement of the
fallibility of all that is h u m a n .
Traditional " p a t r i o t i s m " consists of an u n s w e r v i n g loyalty to
the principles and interest of one's nation. It is a strong social
force in w e l d i n g dissimilar i n d i v i d u a l s and parties into effec-
tive, unified forces in the arena of international relationships.
But excessive parochial patriotism has caused great h u m a n suf-
fering and conflict, w h i c h applied reason m i g h t have avoided.
Today, the entire w o r l d is confronted by common problems of
overpopulation, resource depletion, and threatened atomic
conflict. These overshadow the c o n t i n u i n g but less cataclysmic
traditional frictions w h i c h still play their historic role in u n -
settling the tranquility of the family of nations.
We must develop a new patriotism o n a larger base that w i l l
reflect the shared interests of all h u m a n i t y , and all life on earth.
A W o r l d Congress of H u m a n Reason can p r o v i d e leadership

in r e s h a p i n g basic h u m a n attitudes. Its recommendations must
reflect the collective C o m m o n Sense of h u m a n i t y , tempered
w i t h appropriate respect for our religious faiths, o u r ethical
awareness, a n d all o u r emotional a n d spiritual needs.
B o l d initiatives by A m e r i c a n s a n d Russians can establish this
n e w agency a n d help it resolve the p h i l o s o p h i c a l conflicts
w h i c h plague our species.
A vigorous a n d o n g o i n g W o r l d Congress can hasten the
d a w n i n g of the era foretold by the biblical prophet Isaiah, ". . .
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their
spears into p r u n i n g h o o k s : nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn w a r any m o r e . "
IX
On Revolution
" O n what shall m a n f o u n d the order of the w o r l d

which he w o u l d govern? . . . Shall it be on justice?
Man is ignorant of it. . . . Certainly h a d he k n o w n it . . .
We w o u l d have seen it set up in all the States on
earth and in a l l times. . . .
"The art of o p p o s i t i o n and of r e v o l u t i o n is to

unsettle established customs, s o u n d i n g t h e m e v e n
to their source, to p o i n t out their w a n t of
authority and justice. . . ."
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

from "Pensees, On a F o u n d a t i o n
for O r d e r i n g the W o r l d "
THE FLOW OF TIME is associated with endless change in a l l

matter of energy. W h e r e life is present the pace of change is
vastly increased. We h u m a n s undergo continuous remodeling
in m i n d and b o d y . We are b o r n , we g r o w , we mature, age, a n d
die. O u r bodies b e g i n as dust and water. A f t e r a brief s p a n of
perhaps 70 earth years we revert again to o u r elemental b e g i n -
nings. O u r lives are animated by a vital flame transmitted to us
through an u n b r o k e n sequence of generations w h i c h c a n be
75
76 ON REVOLUTION
traced to a spark struck over t w o b i l l i o n years ago on this

planet.
O u r life flame is shared w i t h myriads of other forms w h i c h
have e v o l v e d w i t h us over the eons as p o w e r s of the Infinite
have become manifest in the revelations of nature. We alone on
earth have been gifted w i t h brains that p r o v i d e perception a n d
reason sufficient to recognize at least d i m l y the ultimate majes-
ty of a S u p r e m e Being reflected in these manifestations.
We are b e g i n n i n g to u n d e r s t a n d o u r potential for g u i d i n g
future e v o l u t i o n in a conscious and integrated fashion. T o d a y
our species continues a l o n g pattern of strife a n d warfare.
D i v i s i v e forces w i t h i n us o v e r p o w e r other i m p u l s e s w h i c h
m i g h t unite all of h u m a n i t y in concerted o p p o s i t i o n to ignor-
ance, misery, and d i s c o r d . We are e n d o w e d w i t h accumula-
tions of k n o w l e d g e a n d error inherited from the past. We often
confuse one w i t h the other a n d interpret reality in contrary
ways.
T h e h u m a n family remains d i v i d e d by multitudes of differ-
ences. O u r w o r l d society is a seething c a u l d r o n of conflicts,
bustle, a n d m o t i o n .
Yet o u r daily affairs require a degree of order. Social struc-
tures a n d codes of behavior m u s t u n d e r g o p e r i o d i c m o d i f i c a -
tion in order to meet c h a n g i n g needs w i t h i n the body politic.
H i s t o r y suggests that these changes occur by fits a n d starts. An
established social pattern or g o v e r n m e n t tends to r e m a i n stable
for extended periods, coasting a l o n g on the inertial tendencies
of its c o m p o n e n t laws, customs, and institutions. G r a d u a l l y
a c c u m u l a t i n g stresses ultimately force adaptive changes. We
are creatures of habit. We often tolerate o u t m o d e d life patterns
to avoid the discomfort attendant u p o n a d o p t i n g n e w ones.
U l t i m a t e l y our societies must demonstrate sufficient adapt-
ability to meet major changes in the conditions of life. G o v e r n -
ments a n d other social organizations w h i c h exist today have
demonstrated that level of flexibility in the past or they w o u l d
not have s u r v i v e d to the present p o i n t in history. T o d a y all
governments in the family of nations face widespread change—
change b r o u g h t about b y a n e x p l o s i o n i n h u m a n n u m b e r s a n d
h u m a n technology of a magnitude never before encountered.
Existing social a n d political structures m u s t meet the
challenges of the next century. T h o s e w h i c h most effectively
ON REVOLUTION 77
combine w i s d o m , strength, and determination w i l l play

g u i d i n g roles in b r i n g i n g our species into the future.
Threats to social stability take m a n y forms. Some are internal,
and relate to increasing literacy, to altered economic c i r c u m -
stances, and to evolutionary changes in the social order. O t h e r
destabilizing forces arise from changes in the political,
economic, or military activities of n e i g h b o r i n g states. M a j o r
acquisitions of k n o w l e d g e unsettle many traditional beliefs.
Both historical records and a v i e w of the present w o r l d pic-
ture reveal a variety of successful patterns of g o v e r n m e n t . They
cover a spectrum from absolute dictatorships to complete
democracies. C o n t r o l of the affairs of a state resides in a coali-
tion of power centers. These may be apparent and straightfor-
ward, or partially concealed a n d d i s g u i s e d . In an absolute
monarchy authority resides at least in theory in a m o n a r c h . But
that authority may be dependent u p o n support by lesser nobles
and ministers of g o v e r n m e n t . Ultimately it requires c o n t i n u i n g
acceptance by the populace.
A similar situation exists in nations r u l e d by dictators, and
sometimes on a smaller scale, in a tribe or even in a family.
Custom a n d asserted p o w e r m a y s p a w n an assortment of pat-
terns of what may be termed " a u t h o r i t a t i v e " rule.
At the opposite extreme societies m a y be " d e m o c r a t i c , " w i t h
each citizen, at least in theory, h a v i n g coequal status w i t h all
others. Certain city states in ancient Greece functioned under
conditions w h i c h permitted major state decisions to be reached
in assemblies of all the citizens, even t h o u g h they may have
numbered u p w a r d of 30,000.
O u r A m e r i c a n institutions are democratic in principle but
republican in practice. We delegate legislative functions to offi-
cials elected by the c o m m o n people.
C o m m u n i s t i c societies are nearer the authoritarian e n d of the
spectrum. They are ruled by a single " P a r t y " w h i c h is self-
perpetuating and elitist. M e m b e r s h i p is offered selectively to
citizens w h o meet criteria established by the party leadership.
Conformity to party discipline is r i g i d l y enforced. Debate w i t h -
in the party must be carefully structured to avoid challenging
established leaders a n d h a l l o w e d doctrines.
Democracies have a stability of sorts w h i c h flows from the
ability of the p o p u l a t i o n to achieve changes in the social struc-
78 ON REVOLUTION
ture through o p e n elections. D e m a n d s for reform or for new

government policies do not accumulate to d i s r u p t i v e levels
w h e n the safety valve of the ballot box is available at regular
intervals.
C o m m u n i s t societies have stability of another sort, w i t h con-
centrations of economic, police, a n d military p o w e r u n d e r the
control of the r u l i n g coalition. By s k i l f u l l y directing the flow of
i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d by anticipating to reasonable degrees the
physical and intellectual needs of the populace, s u c h govern-
ments can s u r v i v e for l o n g intervals. They enjoy certain ad-
vantages of leadership if they have the w i s d o m a n d the w i l l to
use t h e m . W i s e leaders can sometimes foresee future needs
w h i c h require stern anticipatory measures. If they demonstrate
by their actions an apparent d e v o t i o n to the service of their
citizens they usually maintain themselves in p o w e r .
In democratic societies it is sometimes difficult for leaders to
require sacrifice from citizens w h o are beguiled by other candi-
dates for office w h o through ignorance or mere ambition
promise u n l i m i t e d " b e n e f i t s " from the p u b l i c treasury. It is
difficult for leaders in democratic societies to seek changes in
traditional attitudes w h i c h m a y have been made desirable by
alterations in the h u m a n c o n d i t i o n .
Revolutions are social upheavals in w h i c h an entrenched
c o m b i n a t i o n of p o w e r centers is forcefully deposed by new
coalitions favoring doctrines of a radically different nature.
Revolutions m a y occur in all societies, although they m a y come
about in different manners, violent, or otherwise.
W h e n social e v o l u t i o n has p r o d u c e d change to a level b e y o n d
the adaptive p o w e r of an existing government the stage is set
for overthrow of the o l d order by new coalitions of p o w e r
w h i c h offer p r o m i s e of adapting society to its altered c i r c u m -
stances.
A " j u s t i f i e d " r e v o l u t i o n is one w h i c h arises w h e n there has
d e v e l o p e d a m a r k e d disparity between the asserted right to rule
of an established government and the c o m b i n e d political wills
of its citizens. To be justified, a r e v o l u t i o n must achieve in
actual fact a better representation of the political w i l l o f its
people t h a n w a s p r o v i d e d by the deposed system.
A r e v o l u t i o n that is s i m p l y a violent overthrow of one set of
self-serving rulers by another is no more than a c o u p . O c c a -
ON REVOLUTION 79
sionally even a c o u p can be considered justified if it results in

replacing a tyrant w i t h more moderate rulers w h o better serve
the needs of the people.
Regimes installed t h r o u g h intrigue and violence are subject to
overthrow in like manner.
Democratic societies are less i n c l i n e d to takeover by factions
because of their feedback mechanisms w h i c h maintain a degree
of conformity between the w i l l of the p e o p l e a n d the actions of
government.
But democracy is fragile, e v e n w h e n the electorate is c o m -
posed of literate and reasonably i n f o r m e d citizens. W h e n the
people are uneducated a n d illiterate, democracies are extremely
vulnerable to takeover by militants w h o achieve control of the
police, the military, a n d public information forces. S k i l l f u l con-
spirators m a y seize p o w e r , suppress the populace, and use the
resources of an entire nation to p u r s u e their o w n selected goals,
even in a culturally advanced n a t i o n . This occurred in G e r m a n y
when A d o l p h Hitler seized p o w e r . It occurred in different
circumstances in Russia w h e n followers of M a r x under the
guidance of L e n i n gained absolute c o n t r o l of the largest nation
on earth by s e i z i n g the reins of p o w e r from the poorly organ-
ized leaders of an earlier r e v o l u t i o n w h i c h had deposed the
Czar.
Revolutions may be bloodless, or they m a y be terribly
destructive of life a n d social institutions. T h e y may i m p r o v e the
lot of nations, or p l u n g e t h e m into conditions worse than those
which gave t h e m b i r t h .
Today the entire w o r l d is concerned w i t h an ideological strug-
gle between t w o general p h i l o s o p h i e s . On the left of the spec-
trum are c o m m u n i s t i c societies, theocracies, and dictatorships
which contend that the affairs of m a n k i n d are too complex for
citizen control. These systems function u n d e r the guidance of
elitist r u l i n g groups. In c o m m u n i s t nations this is the Party. In
Iran today it is a religious hierarchy. In other societies it m a y be
a dictatorship, or rule by a military junta, s u p p o r t e d by influen-
tial groups in the c i v i l i a n sector.
In such societies i n d i v i d u a l rights are curtailed. Political and
economic activities are controlled at least to some degree by the
central authority. F r e e d o m of discussion and dissent are often
non-existent. Personal liberties are severely curtailed in these
80 ON REVOLUTION
authoritarian societies, whether they be c o m m u n i s t , capitalist,

religious, or otherwise.
On the right e n d of the scale are the democracies or quasi-
democracies w h i c h attempt to function w i t h elected officials
w h i l e preserving freedom for all but the most flagrantly dis-
ruptive political activities.
Neither of these general types of government has succeeded
in d e v i s i n g mechanisms w h i c h so clearly demonstrate superi-
ority that all h u m a n beings e v e r y w h e r e flock w i l l i n g l y to its
banner. No major p o w e r except C h i n a has indicated an aware-
ness of the p r o b l e m s of o v e r p o p u l a t i o n . No nation has pro-
posed programs w h i c h w i l l b r i n g the entire w o r l d family into a
perpetual balance w i t h nature. No nation or alliance has pro-
posed acceptable programs for freeing international commerce,
m a i n t a i n i n g universal peace, a n d establishing a stable w o r l d
order in w h i c h there is no armed conflict, and in w h i c h i n d i -
v i d u a l nations are free to experiment w i t h trials of n e w systems
for self-rule and economic d e v e l o p m e n t .
Instead the major p o w e r s r e m a i n concerned p r i m a r i l y w i t h
their rivalries a n d w i t h endless expansions of m i l i t a r y forces,
b l e e d i n g their societies a n d d i v e r t i n g attention a n d resources
w h i c h might otherwise be s e r v i n g the peaceful needs of all
mankind.
The c o m m u n i s t leadership remains committed to o u t m o d e d
ideological concepts p r o p o u n d e d b y M a r x a n d L e n i n . They
continue to make private capitalism a scapegoat for all the
w o r l d ' s problems, i g n o r i n g the real contributions to h u m a n life
w h i c h have been m a d e possible by reasonably regulated
capitalistic agencies c o u p l e d w i t h prudent taxes on profits,
property, income, a n d inheritances.
E n l i g h t e n e d people today recognize that h u m a n i t y can adapt
to w i d e l y divergent economic and social systems in different
circumstances a n d in different times. It is possible for all to co-
exist peacefully if nations w i l l o n l y determine collectively that
peace must be preserved. W o r l d problems of p o p u l a t i o n con-
trol, economic development, education, a n d the pursuit of
justice a n d happiness can be dealt w i t h in an infinite variety of
ways.
We are in need of w o r l d r e v o l u t i o n . But it must not be one of
force a n d violence. It must be a r e v o l u t i o n of h u m a n attitude, a
ON REVOLUTION 81
revolution that w i l l outlaw the abominations of war, replacing it

with judicial means for s o l v i n g international frictions, w i t h
decisions enforced by a representative coalition, perhaps
through a reinvigorated United N a t i o n s organization.
That peaceful r e v o l u t i o n can begin w i t h joint actions by d o m i -
nant members of the w o r l d family to prevent the military forces
of any n a t i o n from crossing the borders of another. S i m i l a r joint
efforts can assure all nations the free exchange of goods a n d i n -
formation throughout the w o r l d .
N o one k n o w s w h i c h w a y h u m a n institutions w i l l evolve i n
future ages. There is strength a n d hope in diversity, exploring
many pathways in efforts to achieve our m a x i m u m potentials.
Sensible people in all nations realize that an atomic w a r is u n -
thinkable as a conscious p o l i c y for any nation. It w o u l d be
suicidal a n d universally destructive.
It is time for a n e w generation of leadership in A m e r i c a ,
Russia, C h i n a , a n d all the nations of the earth to j o i n in
cooperative efforts to establish lasting w o r l d peace.
A c h i e v i n g this goal w i l l constitute the final r e v o l u t i o n in
world thought w h i c h w i l l establish an Age of Reason.
X
Reflections on God
and Religion
ATHEISM HAS BEEN MADE the official religion of Russia a n d other

c o m m u n i s t nations. In part this has been due to concepts w h i c h
have become an essential part of religious doctrine in m a n y of
the w o r l d ' s established religions. Yet religious teachings are
subject to e v o l u t i o n as they interact w i t h e x p a n d i n g k n o w l e d g e
in other fields. No one c a n foretell the precise nature of the c o n -
cepts w h i c h w i l l characterize C h r i s t i a n i t y and other religious
faiths 1,000 or even 100 years hence. It w o u l d be helpful in
b r i d g i n g the chasm w h i c h n o w separates the philosophical
foundations of the U n i t e d States a n d Russia if we c o u l d re-
interpret our religious tenets in a manner w h i c h w o u l d appeal
to self-proclaimed atheists. I present here certain reflections of a
personal nature w h i c h seek to reach those m i n d s . If they offend
readers w h o h o l d to more traditional v i e w s I hasten to note that
I am o n l y a private citizen, and do not attempt to alter the con-
victions of those w h o sincerely hold contrary beliefs.
A h u m a n being is c o m p o s e d of perhaps 60 t r i l l i o n cells, all
w o r k i n g together to maintain a collective existence in this
hostile w o r l d . E a c h of those cells, v i e w e d alone, is a l i v i n g
miracle—a manifestation of vast intelligence and eternal
energy. O u r bodies c o m b i n e many organs a n d tissues i n c l u d i n g
specialized components capable of r e p r o d u c i n g o u r species in
an endless succession of increasing variety.
82
REFLECTIONS O N G O D A N D RELIGION 83
H o w matter begins the c o n t i n u i n g p h e n o m e n o n of life is

beyond o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . W e observe w i t h w o n d e r those
features of l i v i n g things w h i c h can be projected into o u r l i m i t e d
sphere of k n o w l e d g e . Life appears to be an intrinsic potential of
all matter, r e q u i r i n g precise circumstances to bring it into b e i n g .
We are b e w i l d e r e d by the marvels of the h u m a n brain, w h i c h
combines perhaps one t r i l l i o n interconnected cells in a central
control m e c h a n i s m for the b o d y as a w h o l e , receiving informa-
tion from the environment, processing, r e v i e w i n g , and storing
it, and using it to guide its sheltering body through a brief exist-
ence here on earth.
We cannot k n o w whether each of the multitudes of brain cells
is aware of its o w n existence. We do perceive that all of t h e m
w o r k i n g collectively g i v e rise to our i n d i v i d u a l awareness a n d
to our thoughts, feelings, and purposeful actions.
We observe that each nerve cell or neurone is an entity unto
itself, w i t h filamentous projections w h i c h lead to other cells in
the nervous system and throughout the body. Each neurone
and somatic cell plays a special role in the concerted activities
which give rise to our i n d i v i d u a l identities.
If each cell is self aware in some miniature manner, it is
unlikely to be capable of r e c o g n i z i n g its subsidiary role in the
body as a w h o l e .
We n o w understand that every l i v i n g cell is an extremely
complicated chemical factory. E a c h one is made of millions of
component molecules—some small and others large a n d i n t r i -
cate. Certain of the larger protein molecules c o m b i n e thousands
of atoms in precise arrangements. A l l are s u s p e n d e d in a
watery m e d i u m w h i c h permits the c o n t i n u o u s m o t i o n s a n d
chemical interactions w h i c h together m a k e up the d y n a m i c
equilibrium we recognize as life. Life is chemistry. It is a m a n i -
festation of potentials universally present in matter and energy.
The coordinated reactions contained w i t h i n the delicate m e m -
branes of each cell continue an o n g o i n g struggle to m a i n t a i n its
integrity in o p p o s i t i o n to contrary natural forces w h i c h appear
to impel all things relentlessly t o w a r d disintegration and decay.
The trail of life on this planet can be traced b a c k w a r d in time
for more than 2 b i l l i o n years. T h e general pattern manifests a
trend t o w a r d increasing c o m p l e x i t y , w i t h continuous adapta-
tion to c h a n g i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l conditions. There is evidence
that all l i v i n g earthly things have d e r i v e d from a single begin-
84 REFLECTIONS ON GOD A N D RELIGION
n i n g , although it is possible that the spark of life m a y have been

struck on several occasions, each t i m e establishing simple
b e g i n n i n g s f r o m w h i c h similar sequential changes have
e v o l v e d to manifest life forces u n t i l then dormant and h i d d e n .
O n c e in m o t i o n the miracle of life has c o n t i n u e d to unfold the
increasingly variegated display of plants, animals, a n d micro-
scopic forms n o w k n o w n to us. We observe the process of
g r o w t h and differentiation a d v a n c i n g even n o w , creating new
forms and adaptations w i t h i n the mantle of l i v i n g things.
Dissection of a cell b e y o n d the molecular level reveals its
elemental atomic components. We have learned that each atom
resembles a miniature solar system, w i t h planetary electrons
w h i r l i n g eternally in orbital patterns a r o u n d a central nucleus.
In a l i m i t e d way we understand some of the smaller structural
features of the atomic w o r l d . We visualize electrons, protons,
neutrons, a n d m a n y other substructures of d i m i n i s h i n g size
a n d substance. T o d a y it appears that the ultimate b u i l d i n g
blocks may be entities labeled quarks. These together w i t h their
energy equivalents make up what we perceive as reality. But
we k n o w that o u r perceptions are i l l u s o r y , a n d that w h a t seems
solid is m a i n l y e m p t y space sparsely o c c u p i e d by ghost-like foci
of energy w h i c h are c o n t i n u i n g even n o w an endless frenzied
dance w h i c h began w i t h the b i r t h of this universe a n d w h i c h
m a y have u n d e r g o n e transcendental changes in a p a t h w a y
w h i c h extended back b e y o n d time. W h e n we attempt to u n d e r -
stand reality b e y o n d our present i m p r e s s i o n s w e are g r o p i n g i n
realms and s h a d o w s w h i c h are b e y o n d our k e n .
E v e r y m o m e n t of o u r lives chemical processes are inter-
c h a n g i n g a n d replacing atoms, molecules, and complete cells
w i t h i n us. A l t h o u g h the general design a n d identity of our
bodies r e m a i n relatively constant, the b u i l d i n g b l o c k s w h i c h
comprise us are u n d e r g o i n g continuous rearrangement. A t o m s
n o w a part of one cell m a y in a few m o m e n t s be part of another.
M a t t e r present in a h u m a n b e i n g today has been in existence for
b i l l i o n s of years. Perhaps it was once interstellar dust. T h e n it
became part of our earth, c o n d e n s e d into s o l i d i t y w i t h our solar
system's birth. Yesterday it m a y have been part of a plant or a
farm a n i m a l . T o d a y it is h u m a n , g i v i n g rise to thought or
action. T o m o r r o w it w i l l again be dust. In the course of time it
may undergo a series of deaths a n d reincarnations in the
organic mantle of this planet.
REFLECTIONS ON GOD AND RELIGION 85
We recognize in moments of introspection that our realities

are illusions fashioned by o u r senses and cognitive f u n c t i o n .
They are rooted in eternal constants w h i c h we can never f u l l y
understand. Each quark, electron, proton, atom, and molecule
is a manifestation of the A l m i g h t y . O u r natures, thoughts, a n d
actions are expressions of an eternal essence, reflecting for an
instant the light of an infinite a n d eternal being as the plane of
the present sweeps d o w n the endless d i m e n s i o n of time. E a c h
atom, molecule, and cell w i t h i n us contributes to our identity
and awareness. O u r joys, pains, and strivings may e m b o d y tur-
moils existing eternally in the s o u l of the S u p r e m e B e i n g , the
summation of all existence. Perhaps we are like cells in the
m i n d of G o d , c o n t r i b u t i n g to celestial functions b e y o n d our
ken, just as our o w n cells u n k n o w i n g l y fashion our thoughts
and actions. Perhaps the laws of nature order and constrain
even the l i v i n g a n d eternal D e i t y from w h i c h they s p r i n g , a n d
of which they are a part. Conflict a n d suffering may be eternally
a part of the D i v i n e P l a n except as they can be resolved a n d
eased by forces for good, w o r k i n g t h r o u g h us a n d other
agencies. In our brief life each of us has a precious m o m e n t in
w h i c h to exert our energies for g o o d or e v i l . After death we m a y
return to the infinite whole from w h i c h we spring, as a r a i n d r o p
returns to the sea. We a n d all things are parts of eternal reality.
A l l pathways lead finally to G o d , a n d are closed circles in a n d
of G o d . It may have been in this sense that C h r i s t said, "Before
A b r a h a m was b o r n , I a m . " H i s life manifested in a perfect
manner divine qualities w h i c h are imperfectly expressed in all
of us. M a r y , his h u m a n mother, p l a y e d a u n i q u e role as the
agency w h i c h " m a d e h i m m a n . " Christians believe that the
divine nature of C h r i s t remains w i t h us, and that it is in some
mysterious manner present in the physical form of the
Eucharist.
Throughout h u m a n history religion has w o r n m a n y costumes
and played many roles. In an earlier age it w a s rooted in super-
stition and fanciful speculation, just as were our understand-
ings in science and other d o m a i n s . A n d like all h u m a n under-
standing, even today it remains c h i l d l i k e and p r i m i t i v e w h e n
measured on an absolute scale. We a c k n o w l e d g e that our
powers are finite a n d that we can never grasp the true nature of
the cosmos. H o w e v e r , it is likely that we w i l l carry our quest for
understanding to the limits our s i m p l e p o w e r s permit. H u m a n
86 REFLECTIONS ON GOD AND RELIGION
curiosity w i l l ever consider ignorance a v a c u u m to be filled and

a darkness to be i l l u m i n a t e d . A n d this w i l l be just as true for
r e l i g i o n as for mathematics, physics, a n d chemistry.
In order to discuss r e l i g i o n objectively let us confine the term
to include those h u m a n institutions a n d beliefs w h i c h seek to
u n d e r s t a n d a n d to guide the relationships between h u m a n i t y
a n d the Infinite. A l l searchers for truth, i n c l u d i n g professed
atheists a n d agnostics, can join freely in such a quest.
T h e major religious bodies in today's w o r l d crystalized their
beliefs a n d rituals long ago w h e n h u m a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g was
even more l i m i t e d than the c h i l d i s h perceptions of reality we
h o l d today.
Yet most of those religions gathered and nurtured ethical
standards and rules of conduct w h i c h strengthened a n d sus-
tained their adherents in the struggle for earthly s u r v i v a l . In the
l o n g course of history the v a r i o u s religious traditions have
accumulated many incidentals, some of w h i c h have o u t l i v e d
their usefulness. In the intellectual ferments of today some of
these unessentials are b e i n g questioned a n d discarded. A l l too
often the inappropriateness of ancillary doctrines causes some
people to discard all r e l i g i o n , l e a v i n g a painful v o i d w h i c h can-
not be f i l l e d by a substitute.
V e r y often religious leaders become excessively concerned
w i t h trivia in doctrine and ritual. L i k e the Pharisees of o l d they
fail to re-state v a l i d beliefs in h a r m o n y w i t h e v o l v i n g k n o w l -
edge in secular fields. Because of this failure religion has been
subjected to m u c h criticism, and sometimes to ridicule. U n -
t h i n k i n g belief has sometimes replaced judicious e v a l u a t i o n . In
religious controversy as in politics, fanaticism m a y displace
reason, leading to vast h u m a n suffering. We forget that a c o m -
plex subject can be v i e w e d from m a n y vantage points. This can
lead observers to seemingly contradictory conclusions w h i c h
can be reconciled by further study.
The quest for truth is not for c o w a r d s . Treasured traditions
a n d comfortable beliefs must not be permitted to o v e r p o w e r
s o l i d contrary evidence.
Religious leaders s h o u l d emulate their scientific c o n t e m p o -
raries. Traditional understandings m u s t be constantly revised
a n d m o d i f i e d to incorporate new perspectives w h i c h appear as
the total k n o w l e d g e h o r i z o n of h u m a n i t y is expanded t h r o u g h
observation, experimentation, and reflection. Eternal and
absolute truths u n d o u b t e d l y exist. Y e t it is u n l i k e l y that h u m a n

beings can ever totally and accurately encompass t h e m w i t h o u r
limited a n d fallible u n d e r s t a n d i n g . A p p r o p r i a t e h u m i l i t y s u g -
gests that we regard all o u r k n o w l e d g e as incomplete and tenta-
tive, ever subject to revision in the light of n e w information. A c -
ceptance of this posture w i l l eliminate most of the apparent
conflicts between science and r e l i g i o n .
Truth cannot conflict w i t h truth. Christianity can exist in
harmony w i t h m a n y elements of H u m a n i s m , C o n f u c i a n i s m , or
Pantheism. O u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of p h i l o s o p h y is child-like a n d
limited.
But not all p h i l o s o p h i c questions are a m e n a b l e to scientific
analysis. There is a legitimate place for i n s p i r e d teachings by
religious leaders w h o m a y t h r o u g h i n t u i t i o n or i n s p i r a t i o n
perceive concepts w h i c h lie b e y o n d the reach of h u m a n reason
and scientific proof.
So long as those teachings do not conflict w i t h o u r reasoned
judgments a n d so l o n g as they contribute to h u m a n happiness
they can be accepted on faith w h i c h transcends reason.
The ceremonials, vestments, a n d practices of ancient
religions are not without value. They l e n d beauty and an appro-
priate aura of reverence to religious observances.
The concept of prayer as a function of o u r nature can be
accepted on faith. We may regard it as an effort to c o m m u n i c a t e
i n thought w i t h the S u p r e m e Being and w i t h other n o n -
physical beings, even i n c l u d i n g o t h e r - w o r l d l y projections of
people n o w dead. The efficacy of prayer is not suitable for
scientific study. Yet throughout history notable h u m a n beings
have often m a d e prayer a part of their lives. E v e n in o u r
modern and stylishly G o d l e s s w o r l d m a n y leaders in the quest
for scientific knowledge have g a i n e d through their observations
of nature an a b i d i n g reverence for the majesty and mystery of
G o d . They a c k n o w l e d g e m a n y differences between their v i e w s
and the teachings of specific religions. But they do not f i n d
those differences necessarily unreconcilable, a l l o w i n g for v a r i -
ables in v i e w p o i n t and levels of perceived certainty.
We cannot scientifically p r o v e the existence of a life after
death. For m a n y people the concept represents a deep-seated
hope for a c o n t i n u a t i o n and perfection of our existence in
another dimension-set in w h i c h the injustices and sufferings of
this earthly life w i l l be made right on the eternal scales of w h a t
we h u m a n s perceive as justice. T h r o u g h o u t o u r h i s t o r y belief in

an afterlife has been a source of solace and hope for many
human minds.
In c o n s i d e r i n g these and other areas of controversy we must
not reject reason e v e n t h o u g h we o p e n l y acknowledge its limita-
tions. So long as we do not permit faith to override our rational
powers we s h o u l d use those talents to explore the frontiers
w h i c h lie at the outer limits of scientific observation. In death
we may reach final answers to these questions. It is possible
that we may disappear into an eternal o b l i v i o n in w h i c h no
answers are n e e d e d or sought. Those of us w h o attempt to
accept and to follow the teachings of Jesus C h r i s t take comfort
in the promise of a better existence w h i c h is to come.
On the outer perimeter of h u m a n understanding there are no
boundaries between fields of study. M o d e r n physics has ad-
v a n c e d our i m a g e r y of reality to a level indistinguishable from
the spiritual. E n l i g h t e n e d religious leaders of tomorrow must
m a i n t a i n a reasonable u n d e r s t a n d i n g of h u m a n k n o w l e d g e as it
explores new areas. T h e y must continuously r e d i s t i l l the
beliefs a n d practices of their o w n special field of study to
preserve and perfect the application of those e n d u r i n g moral
principles w h i c h can best guide h u m a n i t y t h r o u g h the social
hazards of the future.
T o d a y it is apparent that no r e l i g i o n has a m o n o p o l y on truth.
It is also demonstrably true that the traditional teachings of
most religions are grossly inaccurate in their v i e w s relating to
c o s m o l o g y , and to the role and duration of h u m a n existence on
the face of this planet.
A c c l a i m e d religious teachers d i d not profess to be expert in
science. T h e i r appeals were directed p r i m a r i l y to the moral
sense of h u m a n i t y . They often spoke in parables to express in
simple language the ethical message of their m i s s i o n . T h e i r
listeners were more often than not s i m p l e , u n s c h o o l e d people.
A r e w e not all " c h i l d r e n o f G o d " ? Physically w e are c h i l d r e n
as members of the c o m m u n i t y of l i v i n g creatures. A n d we are
c h i l d r e n in a spiritual sense as w e l l . E a c h of us is e n d o w e d with
u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d with a limited control over our o w n actions.
We possess a s i m p l e ethical sense to permit a choice between
g o o d a n d evil, and o u r lives provide m a n y opportunities to
exercise that choice. We are aware of o u r g o o d , altruistic i m -
pulses, and are equally aware of another aspect of our nature
w h i c h is selfish, destructive, a n d antisocial. We have s u r v i v e d

as social creatures in a hazardous e n v i r o n m e n t because o u r
ethical nature has never been completely o v e r w h e l m e d by e v i l .
As our k n o w l e d g e of p h y s i c a l reality increases it w i l l become
more a n d more important that we permit our altruistic instincts
to dominate our behavior. The survival of an A g e of Reason w i l l
depend u p o n this change in o u r l i v i n g patterns.
We may review in this light the teachings of C h r i s t as they
apply to the nations of the earth today, e v e n those whose
present philosophies and goals are in most direct o p p o s i t i o n to
his non-violent message. Jesus Christ was an historical figure,
although little is k n o w n about his h u m b l e life. It manifested
mysteries w h i c h are not explainable scientifically. H i s c o m i n g
was foretold by Jewish prophets centuries before his b i r t h .
They described certain details of his career and the genealogy
from w h i c h he w o u l d derive.
Christ preached a message of love a m o n g m a n k i n d , and be-
tween m a n k i n d and G o d . H e referred t o G o d i n the anthro-
pomorphic terms of his d a y . He spoke often of " m y F a t h e r " in
heaven. He spoke of himself as the S o n of G o d as w e l l as the
son of m a n . He spoke of h u m a n i t y as the " c h i l d r e n of G o d . "
H e stressed spiritual values over material things. A n d h e w a s
largely rejected by Jewish leaders because the M e s s i a h they
were expecting was to be a powerful w o r l d l y figure w h o w o u l d
free their people from o p p r e s s i o n .
Christ spoke of his k i n g d o m as " n o t of this w o r l d , " yet
promised to r e m a i n w i t h his followers u n t i l the end of this
world. H e foretold a perfected k i n g d o m " o f w h i c h there w i l l be
no e n d . "
A l t h o u g h he was a simple Jewish carpenter w i t h little formal
education he revealed from an early age a p r o f o u n d new u n d e r -
standing of h u m a n i t y . He remained a simple citizen u n t i l he
was about 30 years of age. He then traveled about the country-
side preaching to ordinary people his o t h e r - w o r l d l y thoughts.
He foretold his o w n betrayal a n d execution, but predicted to
his closest followers h i s early resurrection from death.
He gained attention by p e r f o r m i n g miracles, but gained e v e n
greater loyalties by his penetrating understanding of the s i m p l e
human beings w h o f o l l o w e d h i m . He foretold that his teachings
would ultimately prevail.
He c o u l d have a v o i d e d execution by the R o m a n s , but freely

accepted his death as a final fulfillment of the role he was to
p l a y on earth in some eternal d i v i n e p l a n . A f e w d a y s after his
death he d i d reappear to his closest disciples in what must have
been a p r o f o u n d l y inspirational manner. In the course of a few
w e e k s he was seen at close h a n d by large n u m b e r s of m e n and
w o m e n w h o h a d k n o w n h i m personally.
Most of those believers h a d been in h i d i n g since his execu-
tion, fearful that they might be subjected to similar treatment.
H i s presence i n s p i r e d t h e m i n some mysterious w a y , w i p i n g
away their fears, and i n s t i l l i n g in t h e m a fierce resolve to go out
into the R o m a n w o r l d to spread the message he h a d taught in
his brief three years of public life.
C h r i s t ' s appearance on earth t w o thousand years ago d i d not
take the form w h i c h h a d been anticipated. Perhaps his
predicted second c o m i n g w i l l be as different from our expecta-
tions today.
He may be w i t h us in a spiritual f o r m even n o w as his
teachings struggle to extend their permeation of our collective
h u m a n awareness a n d subconscious. He d i d not see h i m s e l f as
the special prophet for a particular h u m a n g r o u p . He spoke in
terms of universals, a n d addressed all the nations of the earth.
He advanced concepts w h i c h c a n appeal to all people of all
faiths.
Perhaps the second c o m i n g of C h r i s t w i l l take the form of a
d a w n i n g of an age of collective h u m a n reason in w h i c h inter-
h u m a n love and compassion w i l l dominate o u r i n d i v i d u a l and
national behavior.
We k n o w that h u m a n i t y is a n e w and h i g h l y adaptable
species. J u d g i n g by the records of other l i v i n g things our
descendants s h o u l d still be on earth several m i l l i o n years into
the future. T h e cultural institutions a n d churches w h i c h accom-
p a n y us today w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y u n d e r g o vast change in that
l o n g interval.
It is to be h o p e d that the spiritual message of the great
religions w i l l continue to thrive a n d to increasingly dominate
a n d inspire the lives of a perfected h u m a n family u n t i l the last
p e r s o n fades a n d dies on this remote planet.
XI
On the Conversion
of Russia
OUR COLLECTIVE AWARENESS is awakening to the master role

we may play in g u i d i n g the affairs of this planet.
The past five centuries have witnessed a vast e x p a n s i o n of
human k n o w l e d g e . G e n e r a l l y the scientific w o r l d has accepted
change w i l l i n g l y , even t h o u g h this has sometimes required
radical revision of traditional v i e w s . Scientists regard all h u m a n
understanding as incomplete a n d fallible. T h e y increasingly
recognize no boundaries between fields of study. There is a
growing awareness of the unitary nature of all k n o w l e d g e .
Throughout the m o d e r n w o r l d pragmatism tends to displace
faith—sometimes to o u r disadvantage. N e w concepts are tested
rigorously against what is already k n o w n of reality.
As the scientific attitude is extended into the w o r l d s of
philosophy it is important that we do not destroy that faith
which transcends reason as we attempt to reconcile traditional
beliefs with o u r e x p a n d i n g u n d e r s t a n d i n g of the physical
world.
If we consider the term religion to consist of that field of human
activity which attempts to relate mankind with the Infinite, we
observe in o u r past history a w i d e variety of institutions sharing
that purpose. We see that they have developed a multitude of
doctrines, rituals, and practices w h i c h attempt to express our
91
92 ON THE CONVERSION OF RUSSIA
awe and respect for the ultimate source of all that we perceive,
M o s t religions call that ultimate reality G o d . T h r o u g h religious
observances they attempt to demonstrate h u m a n acceptance of
G o d ' s w i l l . O u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f G o d continues t o evolve a s
we s l o w l y gain in k n o w l e d g e and shake off the accumulation of
superstition and error gathered in our m i s t y past.
T h e major religions of today can be traced to p r i m i t i v e begin-
nings in the m y t h o l o g y and folklore of our remote ancestors
w h o s e archaic beliefs often characterized G o d as a man-like
creature possessing on an infinite scale the thoughts a n d feel-
ings we experience as h u m a n beings. L a c k i n g w o r d s to repre-
sent G o d in an adequate fashion we have come to refer to the
A l m i g h t y as a person, e v e n as a person of the masculine
gender. Jesus C h r i s t referred to G o d as the Father of h u m a n i t y .
These concepts permeate o u r literature, o u r attitudes, a n d our
beliefs.
There is general agreement that our u n d e r s t a n d i n g of G o d is
distorted and inadequate. We continue to use ancient concepts
because of habit and because we lack g o o d substitutes. M a n y
w i s e people concede that G o d is almost completely u n k n o w -
able for h u m a n m i n d s a n d senses.
A n c i e n t writings w h i c h still play a p r o m i n e n t role in religions
of the J u d e o - C h r i s t i a n - M u s l i m tradition sometimes describe
G o d a s stern, righteous b y h u m a n standards, v i n d i c t i v e , unfor-
g i v i n g , and tyrannical. A t other times G o d i s represented a s all-
wise, l o v i n g , solicitous for our welfare, and forgiving of our fail-
i n g s . These conflicting interpretations reveal the inadequacy
a n d confusion of our attempts to describe the true nature of the
Supreme Being.
Y e t these ancient beliefs are often clothed in beautiful
language and imagery. They are i n t e r w o v e n w i t h treasured
customs and concepts to such a degree that we question t h e m
o n l y w i t h m e n t a l distress and reluctance. We are slow to
a c k n o w l e d g e error i n h o n o r e d religious teachings even w h e n
they clearly conflict w i t h evidence in the secular w o r l d . M o s t
h u m a n beings are u n w i l l i n g to abandon emotional attachments
to traditional beliefs and f i n d it simpler to let faith override
reason. W h e n we consider these subjects we s h o u l d utilize the
t i m e scale w h i c h science has established w i t h reasonable cer-
tainty for our planet a n d for our species. H u m a n beings have
ON THE CONVERSION OF RUSSIA 93
existed here for at least 100,000 years. W e will very likely c o n -

tinue to evolve for a l o n g e r span into the future. Certain of the
myths d e v e l o p e d by o u r p r i m i t i v e ancestors to explain o u r
existence a n d our purpose can be traced b a c k w a r d in time for
only a fraction of that interval. M a n y m o d e r n religionists accept
these stories as allegories. O t h e r s of more fundamentalist
creeds regard t h e m as absolute a n d literal truths. " T r u e be-
lievers" ignore contrary evidence and accept ancient teachings
as direct inspirations f r o m G o d w h i c h must be believed in every
detail. Problems result w h e n there are conflicts between s u c h
" s a c r e d " beliefs a n d the observations a n d reasoned c o n c l u -
sions of secular students.
Clashes between faith and reason are especially distressing
for faithful believers w h o have not had access to all the
evidence. B u t religious convictions often defy reason even
among educated i n d i v i d u a l s . If these people occupy positions
of influence, great mischief may result.
Religion has been a powerful force in g u i d i n g h u m a n
behavior. It has h e l p e d societies to regulate i n d i v i d u a l desires
and needs for the benefit of the larger g r o u p . It has sometimes
protected h u m a n rights b y e m p h a s i z i n g the w o r t h a n d d i g n i t y
of every p e r s o n in the larger scheme of existence. S u c h r e l i -
gions have served a stabilizing role a n d have justified their
existence by assisting their followers to endure a n d to s u r v i v e .
But religion has been a m i x e d blessing. M a n y crimes against
reason and h u m a n i t y have been c o m m i t t e d in its name. Savage
wars have been w a g e d by zealous religious factions over doc-
trinal disagreements w h i c h must surely appear trivial in the
mind of the Infinite G o d . Some of the most irrational struggles
in h u m a n history have been fought by fanatics in the name of
Christianity—actions diametrically opposite to the l o v i n g and
peaceful v i e w s of Christ, its founder. M o s t of us w h o c l a i m to
be Christians have failed to fully incorporate C h r i s t ' s teachings
in our o w n behavior. O u r collective record is not g o o d . A n i m a l
forces deep w i t h i n our nature are p o w e r f u l a n d difficult to c o n -
trol.
Religious leaders are especially s l o w to accept advances in
secular k n o w l e d g e . A d v a n c e m e n t t h r o u g h the hierarchy of
religious organizations is more dependent u p o n o r t h o d o x y
than upon an innovative spirit. Sometimes centuries pass
before religious authorities accommodate their doctrines to

demonstrated reality. F r o m the earliest days of the Christian
c h u r c h through the S p a n i s h Inquisition, the Reformation, the
tribulations of G a l i l e o , and the controversies w h i c h followed
the publication of D a r w i n ' s theory of evolution, Christian
zealots have repressed reasoned study. E v e n the ancient
Greeks, w h i l e professing to h o n o r reason, were guilty of its
abuse. Socrates was executed for daring to teach n e w ideas to
the y o u n g of A t h e n s . A l l too often religious spokesmen fail to
assume leadership roles in a p p l y i n g n e w secular k n o w l e d g e to
the practical problems of h u m a n existence.
E v e n n o w certain theologians ignore o v e r w h e l m i n g evidence
c o n f i r m i n g that our species has become too numerous to main-
tain a perpetual balance w i t h the environment. They v i e w our
sex drives as forces tinged w i t h e v i l . T h e y perpetuate ecclesi-
astical rules for the regulation of sexual behavior w h i c h are
quite impractical as a means for a c h i e v i n g an o p t i m u m popula-
tion e q u i l i b r i u m .
The most intense pressures of over-population, malnutrition,
and resource depletion exist today in those geographic areas
most dominated by traditions favoring h i g h birth rates without
regard for the consequences. In some of these areas religious
forces play a d o m i n a n t role in society a n d c o u l d p r o v i d e leader-
s h i p to i m p r o v e the material welfare of the people. Yet they
neglect their o p p o r t u n i t y and by their failure foment conditions
w h i c h make their followers targets for conquest by the forces of
anti-religion.
U n d e r the constraints established by o r t h o d o x y many
religious teachers fail to seek workable economic programs
w h i c h c o u l d adapt their followers to life in an industrialized
w o r l d . V e r y often their efforts are of the U t o p i a n variety, sug-
gesting o n l y that the wealthy offer charity to the p o o r . They
ignore their o p p o r t u n i t y to educate the poor to become produc-
tive members of a social order i n w h i c h there w i l l be no poverty.
T h e y fail to p r o v i d e the teaching a n d motivation required for
their members to work, to study, to regulate their reproduction,
and to properly utilize their material resources. T h e y devote
perhaps too m u c h attention to an afterlife and neglect the
duties of the l i v i n g generation to use our talents and our i n -
tellects in the most fruitful m a n n e r here a n d n o w .
Religious leaders are not alone in their disordered priorities

and orthodox t h i n k i n g . C o m m u n i s m , w h i c h professes to serve
the c o m m o n m a n , is so preoccupied w i t h its struggle to con-
quer the w o r l d that it neglects the temporal welfare of its
citizens e v e r y w h e r e it has achieved p o w e r . M a n y c o m m u n i s t
spokesmen are completely saturated w i t h the v e n o m of anti-
religion. They tend to repress religious activities rather than to
encourage the development of needed reforms w i t h i n religious
movements.
M u c h of today's lack of respect for religion is fueled by clerics
who refuse to accommodate ancient teachings to current prob-
lems. T h e y m a y be so concerned w i t h man-made a c c o u t r e -
ments of their faiths that they overlook the broader and more
fundamental goals w h i c h have been enunciated by their
spiritual forebears. M i n u t i a of religious l a w and ritual ob-
servance may o v e r s h a d o w h u m a n needs. This is often true in
the Christian and M u s l i m religions today, just as it was in the
Jewish religion w h e n Christ criticized the S h a m m a i t e Pharisees
for their legalistic excesses.
O r d i n a r y citizens of this atomic age still yearn for the spiritual
comfort that can be d e r i v e d from religious observances. It
w o u l d be helpful if spiritual leaders w o u l d emulate the ques-
tioning attitude of their scientific contemporaries. Material
sciences are m o d i f i e d on a day-to-day basis to incorporate new
knowledge from all areas of h u m a n investigation. The inter-
change of secular k n o w l e d g e is i m m e d i a t e a n d o n g o i n g . T r u t h
does not change, whether in science or in p h i l o s o p h y . O u r
understanding does change as we gain in k n o w l e d g e a n d as we
change our vantage p o i n t s . This is true for religion and for all
things.
N o w changes in understanding occur more rapidly than ever
before. Laggards in k n o w l e d g e are increasingly h a n d i c a p p e d .
Today h u m a n i t y i s being d i v i d e d into t w o political camps. O n
one hand are the imperfectly democratic nations w h i c h favor
individual rights a n d a degree of freedom for economic activity.
Most of these nations permit religious institutions to operate
with few restrictions. Included here are a n u m b e r of n o n c o m -
munist socialist states w h i c h concentrate m u c h economic
power in a central government w h i l e preserving a degree of
personal freedom. In the other c a m p are the militant c o m -
96
ON THE CONVERSION OF RUSSIA
munist nations w h i c h severely restrict personal a n d economic

freedom. T h e y discourage the practice of r e l i g i o n because there
is so m u c h historical evidence of instances in w h i c h religion's
faults have o u t w e i g h e d its benefits. T h e y cite the m a n y occa-
sions w h e n fanatics have gained control of h u m a n society in the
name o f religion, a n d have t h e n abused their p o w e r s . C o m -
m u n i s t societies m a y also fear to share allegiance between the
party a n d an i n v i s i b l e G o d . Yet c o m m u n i s t leaders often substi-
tute for excessive religious zeal an equally excessive political fer-
vor w h i c h has the same shortcomings, and w h i c h has resulted
in comparable abuses of h u m a n rights w h e n fanatics such as
Stalin have been in c o m m a n d .
C o m m u n i s t nations are presently engaged in a massive cam-
paign to spread their political beliefs over the entire earth
t h r o u g h p r o p a g a n d a , s u b v e r s i o n , a n d military aggression.
T h e y are directed by ruthless, singleminded, but rational in-
d i v i d u a l s w h o have concentrated in a few h a n d s at the top of a
controlled political p y r a m i d a l l the reins of p o w e r . At this time
they f i n d no use for r e l i g i o n .
C e r t a i n C h r i s t i a n leaders are n o w seeking t h e c o n v e r s i o n of
R u s s i a to a belief in G o d . There is at least a possibility that their
program of prayer might be a n s w e r e d if it were bolstered by a
c o m p a n i o n p r o g r a m for material h u m a n guidance w h i c h out-
lined plausible suggestions for achieving universal peace, social
justice, a n d the progressive expression of h u m a n potentials in
an atmosphere of reasonable freedom.
Vast numbers—perhaps a majority of h u m a n beings now
l i v i n g — c l i n g to at least an ill-defined belief in a S u p r e m e Being
—a supreme intelligence aware of our existence a n d concerned
with our fate. Let us n o w call on all w h o acknowledge their
dependence u p o n G o d , b y whatever n a m e G o d i s k n o w n t o
them, to extract from their collective beliefs a universal code for
h u m a n conduct w h i c h w i l l be acceptable to most reasonable
people of a l l persuasions. Let its tenets be sufficiently flexible
that they m a y adapt to a w i d e variety of divergent—even con-
flicting h u m a n social backgrounds—while still requesting a
l e v e l of behavioral conformance sufficient to control the con-
flicts w h i c h arise in h u m a n affairs. A d j u d i c a t i o n of differences
m u s t reflect a consensus o f i n f o r m e d w o r l d o p i n i o n . A l l parties
m u s t be sufficiently flexible and tolerant that they w i l l accept
decisions w h i c h may not fully satisfy all of their desires.
We cannot resolve in a century or in a t h o u s a n d centuries all

the discords w h i c h relate to religious doctrines and rituals. We
cannot s w e e p away the variety of political systems d e v e l o p e d
through h u m a n experience t h r o u g h o u t time. Yet we can assert
our rationality as we face the c o m i n g years of crisis. We c a n
agree to permit differences of o p i n i o n in these areas. At the
very least we can substitute toleration a n d arbitration in place of
warfare in settling our larger disputes.
Surely there are certain basic principles of conduct w h i c h
could be accepted by most of h u m a n i t y , especially w h e n the
alternative is w a r . T o d a y each of the major religions includes
among its dedicated members some w h o are w e l l acquainted
with specific fields of secular k n o w l e d g e . There are also many
fair and o p e n - m i n d e d h u m a n beings of w i d e experience and
compassion w h o m a y have no particular religious affiliation.
Let us seek from all these i n d i v i d u a l s a basic moral code d e r i v e d
from the shared beliefs of all religions a n d philosophies, a code
which w i l l be pleasing to the largest possible n u m b e r of h u m a n
beings, n o w a n d in the future.
Can we not obtain general agreement that perceptive life has
value? Is not just peace better for humanity than unjust war? Is
unprovoked aggression ever a moral good? Is it not desirable
that each h u m a n b e i n g s h o u l d have an o p p o r t u n i t y to seek a
useful and r e w a r d i n g life? S h o u l d not society collectively seek
to establish conditions w h i c h favor the h a p p y development of
humanity everywhere on earth according to the reasoned
deliberations of its best i n f o r m e d a n d most compassionate
minds? Is it not a p r i m a r y obligation of the i n d i v i d u a l a n d of the
state to use rational a n d pacific means to achieve h u m a n h a p p i -
ness while respecting the rights of other h u m a n beings a n d o u r
obligation to all other l i v i n g things? Is it not w i s e to restrain
individuals a n d public officials from abusing others? Is it not a
good thing to encourage an u n e n d i n g search for w i s d o m a n d
for spiritual insight?
These and other basic questions of behavior w i l l have direct
relevance to the design of a universal code for h u m a n behavior
and its associated credo of basic principles a n d beliefs.
The accelerating arms race between the c o m m u n i s t c a m p and
its avowed adversaries threatens to erupt into a universal w a r
which may set c i v i l i z a t i o n back 10,000 years. N o w is the critical
m o m e n t i n h i s t o r y w h e n religious philosophers s h o u l d set

aside their contentious differences a n d enter into a dialogue
w h i c h can p r o v i d e m o r a l guidance for all h u m a n i t y . If those
w h o believe i n G o d cannot agree o n this need, h o w can w e ever
expect political authorities to resolve their differences in a way
w h i c h w i l l permanently avert war?
We can hardly expect to convert self-styled " g o d l e s s " i n -
d i v i d u a l s to theistic beliefs if professed believers cannot extract
from those beliefs at least a basic framework of m o r a l guidelines
applicable i m p a r t i a l l y to all of h u m a n i t y . Let t h e m n o w provide
the w o r l d an appealing a n d practical s u m m a t i o n of their
c o m m o n beliefs in a f o r m suited to fairly r e s o l v i n g disputes
w i t h i n the h u m a n family. A m e r i c a a n d R u s s i a i n recent
m e m o r y w o r k e d together to contain the aggression of Hitler. Is
it not w i t h i n the range of possibility that these two powers, as
d o m i n a n t m e m b e r s of the h u m a n family, c o u l d again join in
l e a d i n g the entire c o m m u n i t y of nations to the acceptance of
basic international l a w , a p p l i e d t h r o u g h w o r l d courts of justice,
a n d enforced by the m o r a l , economic, a n d military forces of the
entire family?
Let us b u i l d for r e l i g i o n a useful role in the A g e of Reason. Let
us r e m e m b e r the past abuses of religion—not to c o n d e m n our
efforts to k n o w G o d , but to deter us f r o m repeating those
abuses.
H u m a n i t y possesses a resource quite capable of dealing with
our major p r o b l e m s . That p o w e r is o u r collective reason.
Properly u s e d it can achieve two vital goals: the first is the aboli-
tion of w a r as an agency of h u m a n w i l l ; the second is the
maintenance by each n a t i o n of a perpetual balance between its
p o p u l a t i o n a n d its available sources.
A W o r l d C o n g r e s s w h i c h will bring together leaders repre-
senting the major religions a n d the fields of science a n d politics
could begin the task of formulating basic g r o u n d rules w h i c h
w i l l permit the establishment of favorable conditions for the
c o n t i n u i n g , peaceful advancement of c i v i l i z a t i o n .
The C h r i s t i a n contribution might consist of the basic teach-
ings of C h r i s t as contained in the Sermon on the M o u n t , the
L o r d ' s Prayer, a n d the further directive to render unto Caesar
that w h i c h i s C a e s a r s a n d t o G o d that w h i c h i s G o d ' s . These
concepts w o u l d be acceptable to most rational h u m a n beings,
a n d w o u l d be offensive to v e r y f e w .
Other contributions w o u l d be sought from the Jews, the

M u s l i m s , the H i n d u s , the Confucianists, and from other p h i l o -
sophical branches of the h u m a n family to preserve a n d utilize
concepts w h i c h have p r o v i d e d guidance a n d solace for h u m a n
beings t h r o u g h past ages. T h o s e legacies, selectively adapted to
our present situation, w i l l assist h u m a n i t y in passing t h r o u g h
the transition n o w l e a d i n g to an e n d u r i n g A g e of R e a s o n .
H u m a n awareness is not exclusively a rational p h e n o m e n o n .
Powerful emotions are a vital part of o u r nature. Impulses
derived from affection, altruism, a m b i t i o n , a n d fear often pro-
vide stronger m o t i v a t i o n than reasoned deliberation. We have a
fondness for beauty, mystery, s y m b o l i s m , a n d pageantry.
These attributes of h u m a n i t y have p l a y e d an important role in
the development of religious beliefs a n d practices. O u r emo-
tional and esthetic needs m u s t not be neglected as we plan for
the o n g o i n g revitalization of religious institutions n o w a n d in
future ages.
Previous attempts to rationalize religion have not achieved
general acceptance. T h i s is explainable in part by the tendency
of those efforts to concentrate exclusively on matters of logic
and cold doctrinal affairs w h e n o r d i n a r y citizens h a d n o t yet
had adequate exposure to the n e w vistas in secular k n o w l e d g e
w h i c h have been o p e n e d t h r o u g h scientific i n q u i r y . N o w
perhaps a w o r l d - w i d e effort to rethink our religious heritage in
a balanced fashion m a y meet w i t h greater success.
Let us filter the best features of all religions t h r o u g h the fabric
of contemporary secular u n d e r s t a n d i n g to sift out that w h i c h is
faulty, discordant, and no longer relevant to h u m a n needs. The
purified essence of religious experience w h i c h remains can
become a foundation for a w o r l d society i n w h i c h there w i l l be
no war, and in w h i c h the needs of h u m a n i t y can be met
through rational efforts.
Let us agree that there m a y be m a n y p a t h w a y s to a u n i o n
w i t h G o d . A universal concordance of ethical principles can
permit each branch of the family of G o d to continue on its o w n
route to future enlightenment. Doctrines, customs, and cere-
monies u n i q u e to each religious tradition c a n continue to evolve
in truth as truth is revealed to its believers. Toleration for differ-
ing views must be encouraged so l o n g as activities taken in the
name of religion respect the rights of others. Beliefs accepted as
direct revelations from G o d by members of a particular faith

s h o u l d not be disturbed by others so l o n g as they cause no
h a r m t o non-believers.
M a n y theological concepts can be interpreted in manners
w h i c h reconcile differences. If God is infinite, G o d can be con-
ceptualized i n diverse w a y s w h i c h c a n b e i n h a r m o n y e v e n
w h i l e appearing to conflict. A sculptor v i e w i n g a r o u g h block of
marble may visualize w i t h i n it a specific figure w h i c h is invisible
to others. He may be certain of its presence, and may prove his
v i s i o n by u s i n g the tools of his art to release it to general v i e w .
A n o t h e r sculptor v i e w i n g the same r o u g h stone m a y e n v i s i o n a
quite different form w i t h i n it. Yet he m a y in like manner
demonstrate the truth of his v i e w s . Both artists can be right
even w h i l e a p p e a r i n g to disagree. So may it be w i t h the con-
flicting views of G o d w h i c h have b e e n fashioned by the many
religions n o w in existence. We very often believe more than we
k n o w and prove w i t h certainty. There is r o o m for m a r k e d dif-
ferences in belief in those areas w h i c h range b e y o n d the reach
of h u m a n reason. Christianity teaches that G o d is personal and
is c o m p o s e d of three identities c o m b i n e d in a single infinite
w h o l e . O t h e r religions perceive G o d i n different manners. Like
the sculptors, all m a y be right e v e n w h i l e appearing to h o l d
contrary v i e w s .
M u c h of the difficulty w i t h religious beliefs a n d the frictions
they cause stems from the m a n n e r in w h i c h they are acquired
by successive generations. We are b o r n w i t h m i n d s uncluttered
by learned k n o w l e d g e . O u r instinctive patterns are less p r o m i -
nent than in most other animals. We are specially adapted to
acquiring learned patterns of belief a n d practice from o u r sur-
r o u n d i n g s . Each of the diverse h u m a n societies throughout the
w o r l d imparts to its children its u n i q u e combinations of custom
a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g through life-long processes of active and
passive learning. The most indelible c o l o r i n g of our attitudes
and values is acquired by passive i m m e r s i o n of o u r culture. We
exercise very little conscious selection as we assimilate the lan-
guage, attitudes, general k n o w l e d g e , and the u n n u m b e r e d
cultural m i n d sets o f o u r family a n d neighbors. T h e c o n d i t i o n -
i n g of o u r c h i l d h o o d and y o u t h so saturates o u r natures w i t h
the beliefs and emotional patterns of our h u m a n e n v i r o n m e n t
that it becomes very difficult to drastically modify them later in
life. Stability of group attitudes is particularly evident in the

areas of religion and party politics, where rigidly held p o s i t i o n s
have d e v e l o p e d in a w i d e variety of patterns w h i c h reflect the
unique historical experience of each nation.
Beliefs and practices acquired w i t h o u t selective choice
become so e m b e d d e d in our natures that it is not easy to u p r o o t
them t h r o u g h appeals to reason. Religious a n d patriotic convic-
tions acquired early in life may become almost i m m u n e to con-
trary forces. It is these deep-rooted attitudes w h i c h cause most
of the conflicts w i t h i n and b e t w e e n religious a n d political
factions of the h u m a n family.
Conflicts of this sort are quite apparent throughout the w o r l d
today. If o r d i n a r y people e v e r y w h e r e can be caused to recog-
nize the basic nature of our discords we may hope to apply
reason and c o m p r o m i s e to achieve tolerable, non-violent solu-
tions.
O p p o s i t i o n to reasoned change is r e i n f o r c e d by m a n y per-
versities. A m o n g these is the concept of heresy—a n o t i o n that it
is morally w r o n g to question beliefs clothed in the garments of
sanctity. This can be true e v e n w h e n certain doctrines are in
total disagreement w i t h the evidence of our senses a n d the con-
clusions of our judgment. F o r m a n y p e o p l e heresy has its
counterpart in politics, where traditional orientations of family
and friends may be perpetuated w i t h o u t the active exercise of
reason.
It is our cheerful hope that o u r species is on the threshold of a
new age in which o u r collective intelligence w i l l assert its
destined role in g u i d i n g the future progress of all life on earth.
If we are to cross that threshold we must not permit reason to
be overruled by tradition or by u n s u p p o r t e d faith. To ensure for
religion a vital role in g u i d i n g h u m a n i t y t h r o u g h future ages
society must p r o v i d e means for its constant r e n e w a l a n d
purification b y its o w n ministers w o r k i n g w i t h i n d i v i d u a l s w h o
are well versed in the sciences and in the general spectrum of
human k n o w l e d g e . A narrow indoctrination in religious belief
alone w i l l not be sufficient education to re-think d o g m a in a
manner adequate to w i t h s t a n d the rational testing w h i c h w i l l be
the lot of all k n o w l e d g e in future ages.
C o m m u n i s t leaders w i t h i n R u s s i a today w i l l not b e w o n over
to religious doctrines based solely on c h i l d r e n ' s Bible stories or
on a n t h r o p o m o r p h i c concepts of G o d . T h e y w i l l not accept

articles of faith w h i c h are clearly contrary to reason.
Religious teachers n o w l i v i n g have a g o l d e n o p p o r t u n i t y to
join w i t h scientific leaders w h o are theistically oriented to re-
interpret from their treasures of traditional beliefs a n d practices
those elements best suited for i n c l u s i o n in a n e w appeal to
enlightened h u m a n reason. T h e time is at h a n d for these
spokesmen of all faiths to cooperate in formulating basic moral
guides for the entire h u m a n family.
H o p e f u l l y those guides w i l l include an absolute p r o h i b i t i o n of
aggressive warfare. T h a t single tenet, s u p p l e m e n t e d by an im-
partial w o r l d court a n d by effective cooperative enforcement
w i l l w i n general approval by most of h u m a n i t y . H o p e f u l l y , too,
they w i l l i n c l u d e other p r o v i s i o n s to enhance international
cooperation a n d the s h a r i n g of k n o w l e d g e to address other
p r o b l e m s w h i c h w i l l confront o u r species d o w n through the
ages. The d a w n of an enlightened relationship between
h u m a n i t y a n d G o d m a y be at h a n d if we w i l l o n l y assert the
force of o u r collective reason.
It is a d u t y of religious leaders of all persuasions to become
sufficiently k n o w l e d g e a b l e in all fields of u n d e r s t a n d i n g that
they can j o i n w i t h secular intellectuals in p l o t t i n g o u r course
into the future. In this w a y h u m a n intelligence can assure for
every creature a suitable role in o u r earthly corner of this vast
cosmos.
XII
To Make Partners
of Rivals
FOR MORE T H A N FIFTY YEARS A m e r i c a a n d Russia have been

rivals in the arena of w o r l d politics. C i t i z e n s of both nations
have inherited o n g o i n g c u l t u r a l forces w h i c h maintain that
competition. T h e welfare of h u m a n i t y w i l l be better s e r v e d if
that rivalry can be transformed t h r o u g h rational behavior into a
cooperative partnership.
Neither p o p u l a t i o n wants w a r . A m e r i c a n s have no reason to
attack Russia, a n d only a m i n o r i t y of Russians feel i m p e l l e d to
spread c o m m u n i s m over the earth t h r o u g h violent r e v o l u t i o n .
If the question of war between us were presented to the citizens
of both nations in an o p e n plebiscite it w o u l d be rejected almost
unanimously.
Political leaders on both sides have given primary concern to
the military aspects of o u r confrontation. The w o r l d w o u l d be
better served if they w o u l d accept a military standoff, a n d use
their minds and their national resources in seeking non-violent
solutions for the frictions w h i c h d i v i d e us.
Present tensions are r o o t e d m a i n l y in the declared goal of
communism to achieve control of the w o r l d t h r o u g h r e v o l u -
tionary tactics. T h i s traditional objective has never been con-
vincingly d i s a v o w e d . C o m m u n i s t revolutionaries continue
even now to use violence a n d subversion to force their system
on backward societies. T h e c o n t i n u i n g m i l i t a r y b u i l d u p of c o m -
103
104 TO M A K E PARTNERS OF RIVALS
munist armed forces contradicts assurances that they are in-

tended purely for defense. Refusal by c o m m u n i s t adversaries to
permit verification of their claims of disarmament makes those
claims suspect.
The devastation of war b e t w e e n us w o u l d be so catastrophic
that there c o u l d be no victor. Clear heads in R u s s i a a n d
A m e r i c a m u s t n o w m a k e peaceful approaches take p r i o r i t y over
further military preparations.
We cannot end the arms race w h i c h n o w burdens o u r two
countries u n t i l w e f i n d w a y s t o h a r m o n i z e o u r differing
economies and political systems. O n l y then c a n we establish
m u t u a l trust in our respective motives and goals.
W h e n capitalistic societies escape control by m o n o p o l i e s and
are not strangled by excessive regulation they tend to imitate
the competitive w o r l d of nature. P r o d u c t i v e enterprises are like
l i v i n g things. T h o s e w h i c h arise in response to a need of society
a n d w h i c h consistently meet that n e e d survive and prosper.
Those w h i c h fail to do so wither a n d die.
U n d e r ideal circumstances there is a c o n t i n u o u s l y e v o l v i n g
" s u r v i v a l of the fittest." C o m p e t i t i o n in the marketplace causes
goods a n d services to be p r o v i d e d in the most efficient manner
possible.
C a p i t a l i s m u s u a l l y permits the attainment o f h i g h levels o f
material prosperity for o r d i n a r y citizens p r o v i d e d there is
access to an adequate resource base.
" C a p i t a l " can be defined as accumulated p u r c h a s i n g p o w e r .
It can be spent for goods a n d services to gratify its o w n e r s , or it
c a n be reinvested at risk in a variety of enterprises in the hope
of profit. O w n e r s a n d managers of capital are " c a p i t a l i s t s . " In
most capitalistic societies the management of capital is subject
to some degree of government s u p e r v i s i o n and regulation.
Profits are taxed.
Frequently citizens of a capitalistic state w i l l directly invest
their savings in corporate stock shares, m a k i n g t h e m part
o w n e r s of large corporations. Sometimes their savings are
deposited in banks, or invested in life insurance companies.
These funds are t h e n l o a n e d to entrepreneurs in return for in-
terest p a y m e n t s . T h e l o a n e d capital is a p p l i e d in a variety of
w a y s , usually p r o d u c t i v e . Capitalists u s i n g their o w n or bor-
r o w e d funds endeavor by their managerial skills to harness
capital w i t h labor in generating goods and services for profit-
TO MAKE PARTNERS OF RIVALS 105
able sale in the marketplace. T h e y may b u i l d factories, e m p l o y

workers, a n d c o m b i n e all the elements needed to d e v e l o p a
t h r i v i n g business. If they are successful, society benefits. If they
fail they may lose their capital, a n d their employees m u s t seek
other w o r k . In this role capitalists can be v i e w e d as s k i l l e d
members of the work force. Their managerial talents orches-
trate the c o m p l e x processes of p r o d u c t i o n a n d marketing. In
doing so they p r o v i d e e m p l o y m e n t for themselves and for
others.
Historically, capitalistic societies have performed w e l l , e v e n
though we have not yet learned h o w to stabilize p r o d u c t i o n
and c o n s u m p t i o n at h i g h levels, a v o i d i n g periodic economic
cycles of prosperity a n d depression. A n d we have not learned
how to control capitalism w i t h o u t strangling it t h r o u g h regula-
tory excesses.
All advanced societies m u s t have managers. A basic distinc-
tion between capitalism and socialism is apparent in the
manner of selecting and advancing these i n d i v i d u a l s . U n d e r
capitalism forces of the marketplace strongly influence private
owners, whereas under socialism managers are chosen by
political figures w h o may not be directly answerable to the con-
sumers.
In theory, socialistic societies make o w n e r s h i p of the means
of production a p u b l i c function. It is under political control.
Very often socialism includes in the public d o m a i n other opera-
tions such as b a n k i n g , h o u s i n g , insurance, a n d the p r o v i s i o n of
medical care. Managers of these services are answerable to
political officials rather than to the public.
Existing governments in the w o r l d d i s p l a y a w i d e variety of
combinations of p u b l i c a n d private o w n e r s h i p of the facilities
which p r o v i d e goods, shelter, a n d services. There are no p u r e l y
capitalistic or purely socialistic governments. E v e n the U n i t e d
States has m a d e concessions to p u b l i c o w n e r s h i p in certain
areas such as roads, the postal service, selected utilities, a n d the
financing of social insurance.
C o m m u n i s t R u s s i a a n d some of its satellites have made
limited concessions to private o w n e r s h i p and enterprise in s u c h
areas as h o u s i n g and agriculture.
Regardless of political labels, h u m a n beings v a r y to an
extreme degree in their desires and abilities for achieving
wealth a n d p o w e r . These traits, although valuable for s u r v i v a l
106 TO MAKE PARTNERS OF RIVALS
in a competitive w o r l d , are not the o n l y qualities or the best

qualities for establishing the social value of any i n d i v i d u a l .
M a n y of our greatest advances have been contributed by
h u m a n beings w i t h little desire for material r e w a r d , or fame, or
political p o w e r .
A n d conversely, the responsibility for m u c h h u m a n tragedy
and suffering rests u p o n the shoulders of other h u m a n beings
w h o , through the accidents of history and heredity, have been
afflicted w i t h excessive e n d o w m e n t s of those competitive and
aggressive traits.
The ultimate strength of a n a t i o n derives from the total
a p p l i e d talents a n d energies of all its people. Different social
systems and circumstances advance to positions of p o w e r a
s p e c t r u m of h u m a n character types.
T h i s is true today in a w o r l d d o m i n a t e d by the r i v a l r y be-
tween c o m m u n i s m a n d a variety of capitalistically oriented
societies. In the race for p o w e r and influence both systems
favor i n d i v i d u a l s w h o c o m b i n e certain abilities w i t h ambition.
O u r society rewards successful entrepreneurs in the economic
field. I n politics w e advance i n d i v i d u a l s w h o consistently w i n
votes, even t h o u g h their true merit may fall short of the image
they project to the voters w h i l e c a m p a i g n i n g for office.
S o c i a l i s m a n d c o m m u n i s m display a variety of economic and
political patterns. O s t e n s i b l y , b o t h place o w n e r s h i p of the
" m e a n s of p r o d u c t i o n " in the h a n d s of " t h e p e o p l e . " Marxist
socialists, or c o m m u n i s t s believe that they must aggressively
stamp out all c o m p e t i n g systems. T h e y rely on rule by the Party
leadership, and use elections o n l y as a technical formality for
registering voter approval. N o n - M a r x i s t socialist states are
" n o n - v i o l e n t , " and do not attempt to subjugate their neigh-
bors. T h e y also accept voter control through open and honest
elections.
Both socialist systems give power p r i m a r i l y to those w h o are
ambitious a n d w h o are adept at m a n i p u l a t i n g p o l i t i c a l forces
w i t h i n somewhat " c l o s e d " systems. U n d e r c o m m u n i s m i n
particular economic leadership positions are o c c u p i e d by i n d i -
v i d u a l s w h o are first of all capable of u s i n g the s y s t e m for their
o w n advancement. Political considerations are more important
than concern for the marketplace under b o t h varieties of
socialism.
Unregulated capitalism m a y witness after o n l y a f e w genera-

tions the hereditary concentration of wealth (capital) a n d
associated p o w e r in the hands of a m i n o r i t y of the citizenry.
That p o w e r is in theory subject to voter control although in
practice it can g r o w to unhealthy proportions.
Unrestrained c o m m u n i s m m a y encourage a parallel concen-
tration of political p o w e r in the hands of a self-perpetuating
ruling class. A n d because of the m o n o l i t h i c structure of the
state, political control gives virtually complete economic c o n t r o l
to the political hierarchy. A r u l i n g faction w h i c h also controls
the police, the military, a n d the channels of public information
is thus in a position of absolute p o w e r w h i c h cannot be
matched by any combination of political and economic forces
operating under existing capitalistic systems.
Without the safeguards of meaningful elections the c o m m u -
nistic system can lead to severe abuses of p o w e r , as o c c u r r e d
under Stalin.
A major p r o b l e m facing theorists w h o w o u l d unite A m e r i c a
and Russia in a friendly partnership approach to the future w i l l
be the devising of changes in o u r respective systems w h i c h w i l l
make t h e m compatible w h i l e preserving the best features of
each.
Under ideal democratic capitalism all citizens s h o u l d be
capitalists. S u c h a system is achievable, and c o u l d be brought
about by structuring o u r laws and attitudes in appropriate
fashion. E n l i g h t e n e d self-interest is a potent force. P r o p e r l y
stimulated a n d controlled, it can b r i n g about m a x i m u m p r o d u c -
tion by all members of society in both the material a n d intellec-
tual spheres. A n d it c a n do so while at the same time it permits
society collectively to p r o v i d e adequate care for those i n d i -
viduals w h o are not capable of r u n n i n g the full competitive
course.
Capital accumulation is not restricted to capitalistic systems.
Socialist and c o m m u n i s t societies also generate large stores of
capital in the form of factories, farms, mines, h o u s i n g , a n d
other material things. Title to this wealth may be vested official-
ly in the name of the people. A c t u a l control, however, is in the
hands of politically controlled managers. Their advancement is
subject to political considerations and is o n l y indirectly in
compliance w i t h the wishes of ordinary citizens. U n d e r " d e m o -
cratic" socialism, as in S w e d e n , politicians are ultimately
answerable to the voters. It has not been demonstrated that

managerial systems operated in this w a y are more effective
t h a n those in w h i c h forces of the marketplace are more directly
applied.
In countries ruled by the M a r x i s t variety of socialism political
a n d economic p o w e r is vested in a s m a l l party " e l i t e . " E x p e r i -
ence as w e l l as a realistic v i e w of h u m a n nature suggests that
this arrangement fosters the development of an entrenched
r u l i n g class w h i c h is not necessarily responsive to the w i l l of the
people.
T h e existence of special stores, special hospitals, and special
privileges for party members a n d public officials in m a n y c o m -
m u n i s t countries confirms this belief.
It is true that socialist nations ruled by oligarchic p o w e r
groups can be effective in m a n i p u l a t i n g labor a n d capital. S u c h
nations have demonstrated the ability to maintain large a r m e d
forces and to construct major industrial projects. T h e y can do so
w i t h little regard for the prosperity a n d personal desires of o r d i -
nary citizens. There is no real concern for personal freedom.
But these nations have not been as successful as m a n y capital-
istic societies i n i m p r o v i n g general l i v i n g standards o r i n ad-
v a n c i n g the frontiers of k n o w l e d g e . Unelected oligarchies m a y
m o v e contrary to the w i l l of their o w n people. So l o n g as the
leaders are w i s e and benevolent the merits of these systems
m a y o u t w e i g h their faults. But w h e n the rulers are u n i n f o r m e d
or despotic the people a n d their neighbors suffer.
W h e n the government of a powerful nation builds barriers
a l o n g its borders to i m p r i s o n its o w n people it reveals its ille-
gitimacy. W h e n it neglects the material welfare of those people
and enslaves t h e m in a military machine to extend its t y r a n n y
over the w o r l d it v o i d s its right to g o v e r n . B o t h A m e r i c a and
Russia have faults. We must correct the faults a n d devise means
for m a k i n g our t w o systems compatible.
In the U n i t e d States we must control excessive concentrations
of capital and p o w e r w h i l e we encourage total capital formation
in w i d e l y dispersed forms i n v o l v i n g all the people. By m a k i n g a
p o r t i o n of a w o r k e r ' s wages completely free of taxation w h e n it
is invested in p r o d u c t i v e savings we c a n i n d u c e widespread
participation by everyone in the risks a n d rewards of an i n -
centive e c o n o m y . M o d e r a t i o n in the taxation of corporations,
a n d e x e m p t i o n of d i v i d e n d s from taxation w o u l d be further i n -
centives to adequate capital formation. Workers w o u l d become

interested o w n e r s of the corporations w h i c h e m p l o y t h e m .
These steps w o u l d assure the continuous r e n e w a l a n d
modernization of p r o d u c t i v e facilities.
Prudent changes in tax laws dealing w i t h the o w n e r s h i p a n d
inheritance of corporations a n d agricultural l a n d w i l l assist in
decentralizing o w n e r s h i p . Private social insurance backed by
invested capital can be encouraged to assume primary responsi-
bility for retirement and other insurable needs.
In this w a y a citizen w h o has devoted a lifetime to the produc-
tion of goods and services for others w i l l retire w i t h financial
security assured. Families deprived of wage earners by u n -
timely death or disability w i l l be cared for. T h e role of govern-
ment can be reduced to s u p p o r t i n g the truly indigent t h r o u g h
general taxation.
Excessive concentration of wealth in the control of a p r i v i -
leged class can be avoided t h r o u g h prudent restrictions on i n -
heritance. As a general p r i n c i p l e society s h o u l d not l i m i t the
wealth a n d property w h i c h an industrious person m a y accumu-
late in a lifetime if abuses are prevented. B u t the amounts of
capital w h i c h can be inherited by others s h o u l d be severely cur-
tailed.
A l l citizens s h o u l d feel the incentives o f n e e d . A l l s h o u l d b e
stimulated by the promise of reward for effort. Wealthy i n d i -
viduals m a y be permitted to bequeath to their dependants a
modest e n d o w m e n t of accumulated capital. P r o v i d i n g for one's
family is a socially desirable function. A n d the tradition of c o n -
tinuous land o w n e r s h i p in a farming family, or the continuous
participation of f o l l o w i n g generations in a family business can
have positive effects so l o n g as excessive concentrations of
capital are a v o i d e d .
There s h o u l d be p r o v i s i o n s for wealthy i n d i v i d u a l s to e n d o w
charitable trusts or foundations s e r v i n g the general welfare. B u t
these agencies s h o u l d have l i m i t e d lives, perhaps 25 years. This
will avoid the development of perpetual institutional concentra-
tions of wealth w h i c h might fall prey to control by i n d i v i d u a l s
who are not dedicated to the best interests of the p u b l i c .
The o w n e r s h i p of real estate a n d other means of p r o d u c t i o n
should be a matter of p u b l i c record. O w n e r s of stock shares
should be identified. Secret o w n e r s h i p through off-shore trusts
a n d other arrangements c a n be regulated t h r o u g h controls on

the distribution of i n c o m e .
A problem in capitalistic societies has been our inability to
combine full e m p l o y m e n t , o p t i m a l s h a r i n g of wealth, and
stable, h i g h level economic activity. Socialism has also failed to
achieve this goal, although u n e m p l o y m e n t rates are sometimes
concealed by means of wholesale e m p l o y m e n t of citizens in
menial jobs directly financed by the central government.
C a p i t a l i s m depends p r i m a r i l y u p o n an appeal to i n d i v i d u a l
interests. Socialism, at least in theory, caters to altruistic i m -
pulses. T h e apparent advantage of capitalism in the production
a n d distribution of goods and services in the w o r l d of today
may reflect the fact that self-interest is a more prominent quality
of h u m a n nature than benevolence.
M i n i m u m wage laws have attempted to establish the value of
h u m a n labor by legislative fiat. If c o m p e n s a t i o n levels could be
so conveniently arranged, a l l citizens w o u l d be wealthy. In real
life the marketplace is the final determinant for what w i l l actual-
ly be paid for goods and services. M i n i m u m wage legislation
results in m a n d a t o r y u n e m p l o y m e n t for the marginal workers
it seeks to help. Individuals w h o are incapable of p r o v i d i n g
services w h i c h justify the established m i n i m u m s i m p l y do not
w o r k . In o u r society they are usually s u p p o r t e d in idleness
t h r o u g h " e n t i t l e m e n t " programs paid for by taxes levied on
other citizens w h o are at w o r k . A l l too often, such subsidies are
managed on an " a l l - o r - n o n e " basis. If the income of the
recipient rises above a specified cut-off level, all benefits are
lost. There are few incentives to stimulate o n g o i n g efforts by
the recipient to become self-supporting. A l l welfare programs
should be graduated. Those w h o need a little assistance s h o u l d
receive a little. Those w h o are totally unable to provide for
themselves s h o u l d be s u p p o r t e d by society. A l l programs of
this nature s h o u l d contain built-in features w h i c h tend to
stimulate self-reliance instead of fostering greater dependency.
" U n e m p l o y m e n t i n s u r a n c e " programs have been m a n d a t e d
by many states in an effort to support workers d u r i n g times of
economic stagnation. T h e costs of s u c h programs have been
levied against employers, even though it is the employees w h o
are the prime beneficiaries. This situation s h o u l d be reversed or
m o d i f i e d . E m p l o y e r s w i t h lost markets, idle plants, a n d u n -
productive capital are not in a p o s i t i o n to continue maintaining

their work force.
In an ideal society all h u m a n beings s h o u l d be motivated to
develop and apply their talents a n d productive abilities. Only
the very o l d , the very y o u n g , and the very handicapped are in-
capable of performing some useful w o r k . No one capable of
performing socially useful w o r k s h o u l d be supported in idle-
ness.
Programs of public assistance must demonstrate a reasonable
concern for true disability. S o u n d programs w i l l require that
citizens seeking financial help accept e m p l o y m e n t , preferably
in the private sector, at wage levels determined by the market-
place. Families s h o u l d not be permitted to live for successive
generations on public doles.
In many instances wages available in the private sector for
marginal jobs w i l l fall below the level required for maintaining
an adequate l i v i n g standard. In these cases society should pro-
vide income supplements from tax sources. As a last resort
government agencies s h o u l d establish public works programs
to keep all members of society p r o d u c t i v e l y e m p l o y e d during
periods of economic depression.
E l i m i n a t i o n of m i n i m u m wage requirements w i l l open many
marginal or entry-level positions. Y o u n g adults a n d partially
disabled older workers c a n t h u s be encouraged to accept
employment commensurate w i t h their skills.
Overly generous programs intended to benefit employees
sometimes result in unforeseen loss of jobs. C a p i t a l is easily
transferred from country to country, a n d tends to seek circum-
stances offering the highest return and greatest security. Manu-
factured products can also be m o v e d from c o u n t r y to country at
relatively l o w cost. Unrealistically costly employee benefit pro-
grams such as Social Security, U n e m p l o y m e n t Insurance, and
Retirement and Disability Benefits may be paid for by both em-
ployer and employee. Yet they promise immediate benefits for
only the employee. As the w o r l d becomes more industrialized,
trade barriers are often reduced. Excessive "fringe benefits"
can then result in widespread u n e m p l o y m e n t and can cause he
export of capital and p r o d u c t i o n facilities to countries with
lower total wage levels.
An optimal balance must be sought between the conflicting
interests of employers and employees. Supplemental benefits
are employee benefits and s h o u l d be recognized as a part of e m -

ployee compensation. At present the costly administration of
these programs is b o r n e in large part by the e m p l o y e r , w h o
m u s t m a i n t a i n large clerical staffs to keep records and to c o m -
plete numerous forms and reports. E m p l o y e r s are also required
to w i t h h o l d a n d pay federal and state income taxes for their e m -
ployees, a s s u m i n g the administrative costs as a part of their
business overhead.
It w o u l d be appropriate for citizens of a free society to assume
responsibility for financing a n d h a n d l i n g the programs w h i c h
accrue to their benefit. A l l expenditures by employers for
workers s h o u l d be indentifiable as wages. Clerical w o r k associ-
ated w i t h such programs s h o u l d be done by private or govern-
ment agencies at w o r k e r expense.
Further obstacles to full e m p l o y m e n t take the f o r m of
n u m e r o u s regulations regarding safety, environmental i m -
pacts, a n d m a n y other aspects of industrial activities. These are
backed by large n u m b e r s of g o v e r n m e n t employees. The objec-
tives of s u c h programs are noble, but it is quite possible that
they c o u l d be achieved through means w h i c h stress private
initiatives in m e e t i n g reasonable standards. Domestic service in
past times p r o v i d e d useful w o r k for a large segment of the
p o p u l a t i o n . P r u d e n t p l a n n i n g c o u l d restore m a n y jobs today
for maids, gardeners, chauffeurs, butlers, mother's helpers a n d
caretakers for the elderly. W i t h proper training a n d motivation
many citizens n o w l i v i n g on welfare payments could be
brought back into the w o r k force in these positions. These tasks
are very useful to society. T h e i r performance c o u l d help
develop a sense of pride in these i n d i v i d u a l s , a n d c o u l d lead to
further advancement.
In A m e r i c a today a w o r k i n g m o t h e r w h o w o u l d like to
e m p l o y a part-time helper finds herself h a n d i c a p p e d by
requirements that she regularly fill out and forward to govern-
ment agencies complex forms dealing w i t h social security and
other purposes. T h e paper w o r k alone makes the project u n -
attractive to her. M a n y m i d d l e income families w o u l d benefit if
they c o u l d e m p l o y a full-time m a i d , e v e n t h o u g h the h o u s e h o l d
is w e l l equipped w i t h m o d e r n appliances. The same tangle of
employer regulations in addition to m i n i m u m wage laws makes
this very difficult. Yet there are in society m a n y i n d i v i d u a l s
w h o c o u l d be b e n e f i t e d financially and socially if they c o u l d
obtain such e m p l o y m e n t as a starting point for their o w n

advancement. Creating jobs should be made easy.
A strong inducement to m a i n t a i n full e m p l o y m e n t w o u l d be a
provision in income tax l a w w h i c h w o u l d make all employee com-
pensation a deductible item for all employers. S u c h a c o n d i t i o n
bolstered by appropriate training programs w o u l d restore
domestic service as a significant fraction of the national w o r k
force. C o u p l e d w i t h reasonable provisions for requiring accep-
tance of available job openings a n d w i t h income supplementa-
tion where needed, this approach w o u l d do m u c h to s h r i n k
present welfare roles. The same approach c o u l d be used in the
case of certain agricultural occupations, w h i c h today must be
filled by migrant laborers from other countries despite the exist-
ence of m i l l i o n s of A m e r i c a n citizens l i v i n g on relief or u n -
employment benefits w h i l e those jobs go b e g g i n g .
We s h o u l d experiment w i t h methods for s i m p l i f y i n g the role
of the employer. W h e n total wage packages have been agreed
upon t h r o u g h collective bargaining or by m u t u a l agreement,
the e m p l o y e r ' s obligation s h o u l d be limited to p r o v i d i n g each
employee w i t h a single paycheck at appropriate intervals. This
check s h o u l d be made payable to the employee a n d to a desig-
nated fiscal agent. The agent might be a u n i o n representative or
an employee of an a p p r o v e d private agency. The fiscal agent
shall then w i t h h o l d the total amount required for all employee
benefits and taxes, a n d distribute the balance to the employee.
A small amount s h o u l d be w i t h h e l d from each check sufficient
to maintain the fiscal agency.
The e m p l o y e r ' s obligations shall be fulfilled w h e n he for-
wards to federal and state revenue offices quarterly reports
l i s t i n g the employees a n d their total c o m p e n s a t i o n .
The fiscal agent shall then remit the employee's taxes to the
appropriate agencies, a n d allocate funds to various programs
for health insurance, retirement programs, u n i o n s , and the
like. Payments for "unemployment i n s u r a n c e " s h o u l d be de-
ducted from the employees' compensation since only they are
beneficiaries of s u c h programs. W h e n legislators are tempted to
expand costly benefit programs, they w i l l be restrained by e m -
ployee resistance. E m p l o y e e s s h o u l d be given reports at regular
intervals w h i c h indicate the a m o u n t s w h i c h have been w i t h h e l d
from their checks. They s h o u l d also be p r o v i d e d an itemized
report listing the d i s p o s i t i o n of the funds w i t h h e l d . In this w a y
every w o r k e r w i l l understand more clearly the total cost of his

labor to h i s e m p l o y e r . At the same time, the task of the
e m p l o y e r w i l l be s i m p l i f i e d by r e l i e v i n g h i m of the administra-
tive costs of the fringe benefit p r o g r a m as a w h o l e .
Paychecks c o u l d be forwarded directly to the designated
fiscal agent if the employee desires, but they c o u l d not be
cashed w i t h o u t the endorsement of the agent.
This approach w i l l emphasize the distinction between the
f u n c t i o n of the employer a n d the employee. It stresses indi-
v i d u a l responsibility. It w i l l m a k e a l l members of society
p r o p e r l y aware of the costs of benefit programs of a l l kinds,
public and private. A p a y m e n t system of this general nature
w i l l simplify the task of the e m p l o y e r . It w i l l make it much
easier for y o u n g workers to become gainfully e m p l o y e d . A n d it
w i l l enable the workers as a social group to make informed
choices in establishing affordable limits for socially beneficial
programs of a l l k i n d s .
P r o v i s i o n s s h o u l d be made for s u r v i v i n g spouses of deceased
citizens a n d for separated partners in b r o k e n marriages. The
needs of c h i l d r e n s h o u l d be considered. But u p o n the death of
those w h o have accumulated large stores of wealth the bulk of
their estates s h o u l d revert to the government for orderly sale in
the marketplace to other workers w h o are motivated to pur-
chase those assets by economic a n d tax incentives. In this
m a n n e r all w o r k e r s m a y become active capitalists.
W i t h proper incentives to stimulate thrift a n d i n d u s t r y , and
w i t h these provisions for a v o i d i n g excessive concentrations of
wealth in the h a n d s of a few, a democratic society can be
assured of the continuous generation a n d recirculation of
capital in amounts necessary to meet all its productive needs.
By m a k i n g citizens p r i m a r i l y responsible for their o w n wel-
fare a n d by establishing a climate w h i c h w i l l m a k e this possible,
all i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l be encouraged to exert their best efforts. The
role of g o v e r n m e n t c a n be reduced. A n d society, b e i n g c o m -
p o s e d o f strongly m o t i v a t e d i n d i v i d u a l s , w i l l achieve h i g h
levels o f accomplishment. W e a l t h w i l l increase i n magnitude,
and w i l l be made to serve the interests of all the p e o p l e .
It w i l l permit balanced budgets for g o v e r n m e n t s , s o u n d cur-
rencies, and stable savings programs for private citizens. It w i l l
eliminate the financial p r o b l e m w h i c h afflicts most democracies
w h e n opportunistic legislators seek to b u y the s u p p o r t of voters
by " b e n e f i t s " from the public treasury. S u c h d e m a n d s invari-

ably o u t r u n the ability of the economy to sustain them t h r o u g h
tax revenues. Taxation Increases to a point at w h i c h economic
activity is inhibited. E x p e d i e n c y prevails. T h e benefits are
voted, regardless of long-range effects, a n d are financed
through increasing a n d u n e n d i n g b o r r o w i n g . G o v e r n m e n t
debts are then insidiously defaulted by debasing the currency
w i t h a c c e l e r a t i n g i n f l a t i o n . T h e d e b t s are s i m p l y
" m o n e t i z e d " — p a i d off w i t h n e w paper money. A l l prices rise
as the unit value of the dollar shrinks. Savings and life i n -
surance policies are eroded away. Crisis follows crisis.
Objective observers in A m e r i c a agree that our system has
many faults. W h i l e they m a y not agree w i t h these specific p r o -
posals for corrective action, they w i l l generally support the c o n -
cept of experimenting w i t h a variety of approaches w h i c h seek
to reach the goal of the greatest g o o d for the greatest n u m b e r .
Our system is based u p o n government w h i c h requires the con-
sent of the governed. It does permit the will of the people the
final choice.
C a p i t a l i s m modified a n d perfected in this general manner w i l l
eliminate m a n y of the faults w h i c h today justify criticism. It w i l l
serve as a m o d e l for other social systems w h i c h stress collectiv-
ism first, and w h i c h submerge the i n d i v i d u a l in nameless
"masses." If these modifications i n our system w i l l encourage
our self-proclaimed c o m m u n i s t adversaries to match our efforts
with parallel modifications in their political system, it w i l l
become possible for a w i d e variety of economic approaches to
compete for the a p p r o v a l and emulation of the w o r l d in a
peaceful manner. F i n a l l y , it w i l l help preserve personal free-
dom.
Honest observers in Russia m u s t be aware of certain short-
comings in their M a r x i s t society. Perhaps we can suggest
specific changes w h i c h w i l l be acceptable to the rulers and r u l e d
of Russia, and w h i c h w i l l make possible a peaceful e v o l u t i o n
into the future unmarred by military actions, and u n b u r d e n e d
by excessive military s p e n d i n g in both our societies.
H o w R u s s i a manages her internal economy need not concern
us. The rapidly d e v e l o p i n g universal w o r l d market for r a w
materials a n d for finished products and foodstuffs w i l l c o m p e l
enlightened leaders in all nations to accommodate their actions
to that market. In this r e g a r d R u s s i a w i l l enjoy certain advant-
ages, for her vast territories makes her almost self-sufficient in

all areas except food p r o d u c t i o n . O u r problems w i t h R u s s i a are
rooted in basic political differences, not economic ones.
Political a n d economic p o w e r in Russia a n d in other com-
m u n i s t nations is vested in the C o m m u n i s t Party. O n c e in
p o w e r that party tolerates no effective o p p o s i t i o n . T h e party is
elitist. O n l y a minority of the citizens, usually 5 or 6 per cent., are
admitted to m e m b e r s h i p . M e m b e r s are c h o s e n by the party, not
by the general p u b l i c . A n d all members are subject to party
discipline. They m u s t support policies officially p r o m u l g a t e d as
the party l i n e . Dissent can be dangerous.
W i t h i n the party political progress is directed to a large
degree by a few i n d i v i d u a l s w h o have managed to c l i m b the dif-
ficult and dangerous paths leading from ordinary membership
to the pinnacles of p o w e r .
A s i n many religious organizations, advancement i n the party
hierarchy requires a high level of orthodoxy in thought and be-
havior. It also requires skill in political infighting and, on occa-
s i o n , a talent for p h y s i c a l s u r v i v a l .
For more than 60 years politics a n d economic processes in
R u s s i a have been controlled by leaders steeped in u n o p p o s e d
socialist traditions, a n d thoroughly indoctrinated by teachings
extracted from Marxist gospels. Efforts to adapt to the s w e e p i n g
social and industrial changes of the past century have been
c r i p p l e d by slavish d e v o t i o n to a social prophet w h o l i v e d in a
w o r l d vastly different from the realities of today.
The v i e w s of o r d i n a r y citizens w i t h i n Russia a n d the dis-
coveries of multitudes of meritorious thinkers outside her
borders have had little influence in redirecting R u s s i a n policy
except as they have been filtered through the m i n d s and preju-
dices of d i s c i p l i n e d and often fanatic party leaders.
The lack of an o p p o s i t i o n party, and the difficulties i n v o l v e d
in a d v a n c i n g or debating contrary o p i n i o n s w i t h i n the party
continue to c o m p o u n d the p r o b l e m .
If there were a better means for i n t r o d u c i n g " f e e d b a c k " from
the c o m m o n people and from other sources of n e w and con-
trary o p i n i o n into the upper levels of the c o m m u n i s t power
structure it might be possible for R u s s i a n c o m m u n i s m to evolve
peacefully into harmonious coexistence w i t h other political
systems.
The problems of c o n t i n u i n g bellicose confrontation b e t w e e n

differing political a n d economic systems d e m a n d rational solu-
tions a n d n e w approaches, n o t fanatic l o y a l t y to o u t m o d e d
beliefs a n d methods.
There are u n d o u b t e d l y m a n y shades of o p i n i o n w i t h i n R u s -
sian ranks w h i c h are concealed by official party p r o n o u n c e -
ments. T h i s applies to all aspects of life; military matters, social
targets and methods, industrial and agricultural organization,
religion, and consumer needs of all k i n d s .
Today disagreements a n d o p e n debate about these subjects
are inhibited by fears of p u n i s h m e n t for those w h o s e v i e w s
stray too far from the official party l i n e .
K a r l M a r x has been dead for over a century. He was not a
G o d . Efforts by doctrinaire followers to deify h i m have not
changed that fact. He was not a g o o d economist a n d was even
worse as a prophet. W o r l d political a n d i n d u s t r i a l e v o l u t i o n
have not proceeded as he anticipated. H i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g of
economic processes was based upon observations of the early
industrial r e v o l u t i o n i n W e s t e r n E u r o p e . T r e n d s apparent then
have been replaced by others w h i c h he d i d n o t foresee.
H i s notions o f class exploitation o f " w o r k e r s " b y
"capitalists" was simplistic. It d i d not anticipate the vertical
and horizontal social m o b i l i t y o f m o d e r n societies. H i s concept
of " s u r p l u s v a l u e " was incomplete, and d i d not consider the
multiplication of labor p r o d u c t i v i t y by inventiveness, m e c h a n i -
zation, abundant cheap energy, and mass competitive markets
composed for the most part of m e m b e r s of the " w o r k i n g
class."
M a r x b e l i e v e d that e x p l o i t e d workers i n i n d u s t r i a l i z e d
nations throughout the w o r l d w o u l d t h r o w off their chains and
rise up on a w o r l d r e v o l u t i o n to seize the reins of p o w e r f r o m
capitalistic masters. He prophesied a w o r l d U t o p i a , to be
achieved t h r o u g h violence a n d class warfare. He predicted a
society without property, w i t h o u t crime, without police,
populated b y ideal h u m a n beings w h o w o u l d not require legal
restraints for a n t i s o c i a l behavior w h e n they h a d been liberated
once a n d for a l l from their capitalistic heritage.
C o m m u n i s t leaders today excuse their failure to achieve
socialist goals by citing outside influences, accepting no blame
for their inadequate policies. They protest that c o m m u n i s m
cannot reach its destined f l o w e r i n g until the last vestiges of
capitalism have been forever destroyed, even if this requires

universal w o r l d warfare of catastrophic magnitude.
There was no expectation in the dreams of M a r x , or Engels, or
L e n i n for the economic " m i r a c l e " of m o d e r n industrial Japan,
w h i c h has p r o v i d e d its overpopulated, resource-deficient,
capitalistic islands w i t h a l i v i n g standard far better t h a n exists
today in Russia, a resource-wealthy state r u l e d for o v e r 60 years
by a v o w e d disciples of their c o m m u n i s t p h i l o s o p h y .
A l t h o u g h M a r x failed as an economist and prophet, he was
more successful as a political schemer and revolutionist, u n -
h a m p e r e d by what he regarded as o u t m o d e d codes of " b o u r -
geois m o r a l i t y . "
He was successful in d e v i s i n g strategies through w h i c h small
groups of militant followers using force, violence, false labels,
and appealing slogans could o v e r t h r o w existing governments.
N o t hesitating to use m u r d e r a n d " p o l i t i c a l " assassination
w h e n it served their purposes, and acting always in the name of
the " m a s s e s " but actually striving for their o w n n a r r o w goals,
his followers have successfully seized p o w e r in m a n y nations
throughout the globe. A n d h a v i n g achieved p o w e r , they have
consolidated their position by f o l l o w i n g the teachings of Marx
in establishing absolute control over the police, the military, the
schools, a n d the channels of i n f o r m a t i o n . W h e n t h e y have felt
securely entrenched w i t h i n their o w n borders they have con-
sistently attempted to export the " c o m m u n i s t r e v o l u t i o n " to
n e i g h b o r i n g territories, p o s i n g as liberators and reformers
w h i l e u s i n g violent and subversive means to conquer new
victims w h o are in their t u r n armed, indoctrinated, and used as
p a w n s in further militaristic a n d subversive expansions.
T h e revolutionary c o m m u n i s t " m o r a l i t y " preached b y M a r x
held that all actions were to be j u d g e d solely as they related to
achieving w o r l d c o n t r o l by his followers. Treachery, deceit,
economic exploitation, and military aggression were all to be
regarded as " g o o d " if they h e l p e d advance the cause of w o r l d
r e v o l u t i o n . A c t i o n s or thoughts w h i c h party officials decreed to
b e " c o u n t e r - r e v o l u t i o n a r y " were considered " e v i l . "
T o d a y , even t h o u g h the economic visions of M a r x have been
discredited, his followers throughout the w o r l d continue to i n -
cite r e v o l u t i o n and war, successfully e m p l o y i n g subversive
tactics prescribed over a century ago, a n d modified a n d per-
fected by trial and error since then. Yet nowhere on earth have
his doctrines demonstrably i m p r o v e d the material welfare of

their captive populations to the level w h i c h has been achieved
in m a n y capitalistic societies.
C o m m u n i s t reformers have demonstrated a remarkable a b i l i -
ty for exploiting the economic shortcomings of capitalistic
societies for their o w n purposes. There are unfortunately m a n y
situations today in w h i c h poor people are systematically abused
by entrenched r u l i n g classes allied w i t h military leaders. T h e y
misuse the capitalistic system and s h o w no interest in p r o -
moting effective corrective measures w h i c h w o u l d permit fair
material rewards for those at the bottom of the economic
ladder. V e r y often entrenched religious leaders oppose mea-
sures w h i c h are essential to long-range prosperity for over-
populated, poverty-stricken populations, s u c h as p r u d e n t
measures to control p o p u l a t i o n . Because our political system,
by its very character relatively o p e n a n d democratic, has failed
to pursue a policy of aggressive a n d subversive p r o s e l y t i s m , we
have not done all that we might have in assisting those nations
to advance a l o n g democratic lines. We n o w find ourselves in
the a w k w a r d p o s i t i o n of h a v i n g little choice between abandon-
ing those exploited people to c o m m u n i s t enslavement, or c o n -
tinuing to w o r k w i t h self-centered, short-sighted rulers w h o are
very s l o w to accept needed social change.
In some instances we c o u l d do more than we h a v e d o n e thus
far in a p p l y i n g moral and economic pressures to achieve
needed reforms.
A n d w h e n it is clearly apparent that this p a t h is blocked we
must be more o p e n - m i n d e d in our dealings w i t h " l e f t i s t "
reform movements. R e v o l u t i o n probably was necessary in
C u b a . It m a y be the o n l y w a y to i m p r o v e the lot of the people in
certain other Latin A m e r i c a n countries.
Cooperation w i t h c o m m u n i s t leaders is hazardous, but in
selected cases m a y be a better long-range alternative than con-
tinued cooperation w i t h the m i l i t a r y - w e a l t h y cliques n o w i n
control of certain small nations.
Castro was not totally w i t h o u t merit. He has a c c o m p l i s h e d
m u c h of value for his people. He is a rational m a n , although
handicapped in objectivity because of his c o m m u n i s t indoctri-
nation a n d ties. He c o u l d be reached by proposals for rational
cooperative approaches to the future if such proposals are clear-
ly demonstrated to serve the best interests of the U n i t e d States

and C u b a .
M a n y c o m m u n i s t leaders a n d citizens still retain a capacity
for rational behavior. Cautious cooperation w i t h s u c h i n d i -
viduals may facilitate a peaceful advance into the next century
of h u m a n h i s t o r y .
O v e r 150 years ago a French traveler in A m e r i c a , A l e x i s de
Tocqueville, foresaw the c o m i n g r i v a l r y between two giants in
the family of nations: A m e r i c a a n d Russia. T o d a y we have an
o p p o r t u n i t y to determine that that rivalry w i l l be conducted in
peaceful c o m p e t i t i o n . H o p e f u l l y , that competition w i l l demon-
strate for the w o r l d the best features of both systems.
Y e t we must always bear in m i n d the record and the a v o w e d
purposes of the c o m m u n i s t m o v e m e n t itself. People have been
exploited and have suffered injustice under capitalism. But
capitalism does permit evolutionary change. C o m m u n i s m has
demonstrated an e v e n greater ruthlessness in dealing w i t h
populations captured by its appealing slogans a n d manipulated
revolutions. We m u s t not forget the K u l a k s of Russia, the many
other victims of Stalin's purges, the extermination of C a m -
bodians, a n d the intransigence of the c o m m u n i s t o l i g a r c h s in
K o r e a , V i e t N a m , and Afghanistan.
But w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g vigilant awareness of these dark
aspects of c o m m u n i s m , we must continue to deal w i t h it as an
existing reality in o u r w o r l d . We must a p p l y what leverage we
can to achieving changes in its p h i l o s o p h y , and must continue
to appeal to the m i n d s of its leaders. We m u s t demonstrate that
there are other effective remedies for the w o r l d ' s problems than
those of r e v o l u t i o n and war.
T o d a y m a n y R u s s i a n citizens are aware of the divergence be-
tween reality and the dreams of K a r l M a r x . Unfortunately the
political machinery of c o m m u n i s m does not permit them to ad-
vance their v i e w s effectively. The p a r t y leadership brooks no
o p p o s i t i o n , It continues to speak w i t h one voice. T h o s e w h o
disagree are subject to accusations of reactionary or counter-
revolutionary thought a n d are u s u a l l y effectively silenced. But
truth cannot be suppressed forever.
A few basic changes in party mechanisms in the C o m m u n i s t
w o r l d w o u l d permit e v o l u t i o n a r y changes w h i c h c o u l d lead to a
c o m m o n g r o u n d o n w h i c h the entire w o r l d m i g h t advance t o
an A g e of Reason. We s h o u l d advocate those steps at every
o p p o r t u n i t y , w h i l e at the same time we constantly m o n i t o r and

i m p r o v e o u r o w n system w i t h o p e n - m i n d e d objectivity.
It w o u l d be advantageous if o u r Russian friends w o u l d per-
mit the development of two w i n g s w i t h i n their existing party
organization. These might be designated as " c o n s e r v a t i v e "
and " p r o g r e s s i v e . " Each w i n g w o u l d develop its o w n school o f
c o m m u n i s t thought. Each w o u l d attract to its banner those
party members whose convictions are in h a r m o n y w i t h its p r o -
fessed p h i l o s o p h y a n d goals.
Party congresses c o u l d then consider and deal w i t h specific
proposals in a m a n n e r w h i c h w o u l d encourage meaningful
choices. O r d e r l y changes in course for the R u s s i a n s h i p of state
could be effected in a m a n n e r w h i c h reflects expressions of
organized o p i n i o n .
A n d because party members come from all w a l k s of life a n d
are i n daily contact w i t h " n o n - p o l i t i c a l " citizens, there will be a
better o p p o r t u n i t y for p u b l i c sentiment to influence the direc-
tion of party decisions.
At the present time the party places on the ballot for national
elections a single slate of candidates. Votes of ordinary citizens
are limited to expressing a p p r o v a l or d i s a p p r o v a l of that slate.
Since there is no o p p o s i t i o n , v o t i n g is little more than a ritual.
Ideally, each faction w i t h i n the party w o u l d be permitted to
name its list of candidates for consideration by the general
public. But if this is too drastic a change, the party might con-
tinue to put f o r w a r d a single list of candidates after the
nominees of both w i n g s have been voted u p o n w i t h secret
balloting by a l l members of the party as a w h o l e .
The party might c o n t i n u e to be " e l i t i s t , " selecting its o w n
members from a m o n g interested applicants. But some m e m b e r -
ships might be made elective t h r o u g h v o t i n g by non-members in
factories, collective farms, a n d other divisions of society.
It is possible that such an infusion of democratic practice into
the mechanisms of party rule w i l l make Russia a more effective
democracy than those western nations in w h i c h v o t i n g is o p e n
to all citizens a n d in w h i c h elections sometimes become p o p u -
larity contests a m o n g candidates, w i t h insufficient informed
concern for fundamental issues by the voters themselves.
M a n y c o m m u n i s t nations n o w call themselves " D e m o c r a t i c
People's R e p u b l i c s . " A d o p t i o n of these proposals w i l l help
them reflect in practice the nature p r o c l a i m e d by their names.
A "selective d e m o c r a c y " sustained t h r o u g h suffrage

standards of a h i g h order, using the m e c h a n i s m of the C o m -
m u n i s t Party m a y ultimately p r o v e to be a superior f o r m of
government. If political power is transmitted from the p e o p l e to
those in r u l i n g positions in a manner w h i c h reflects k n o w l e d g e
and u n d e r s t a n d i n g by those w h o participate in elections,
g o v e r n m e n t of the people by the best representatives of the
people may become a reality.
Experiments w i t h selective democracy m a y be more easily
accomplished in Russia than in the U n i t e d States. It is political-
ly m o r e feasible to expand v o t i n g privileges a m o n g a people
l o n g accustomed to severe restrictions than to establish restric-
tions of the Suffrage a m o n g a people for w h o m it has l o n g been
universally available, e v e n t h o u g h it may have been neglected
or abused.
These proposals for political a n d economic change are of an
elementary a n d general nature. Wiser and more perceptive
i n d i v i d u a l s can p r o v i d e better plans for a c h i e v i n g a peaceful,
cooperative family of nations through intelligent c o m p r o m i s e
a n d i n n o v a t i o n . W e must keep that ideal ever i n m i n d . A n d w e
must encourage leaders in all nations to seek it w i t h
perseverance a n d i m a g i n a t i o n .
O u r w o r l d is facing its most grave crisis in the crescendo of
preparations for nuclear war. If h u m a n leaders fail to defuse
this threat they a b a n d o n the gift of reason.
R a t i o n a l p l a n n i n g a n d reasonable c o m p r o m i s e can develop
acceptable solutions. Russia a n d the U n i t e d States have both
experienced the evils of war. T h e R u s s i a n people have suffered
grievously. M o r e w a r is not the answer!
O u r leaders must d e v e l o p a c o m m o n awareness as h u m a n
beings. We must face w o r l d problems p r i m a r i l y as partners and
o n l y secondarily as friendly competitors a d v a n c i n g i n d i v i d u a l
philosophies.
A c t i n g together our t w o nations c a n advance the cause of
k n o w l e d g e a n d material prosperity for all the people of the
earth. We can lead the effort to deal effectively w i t h p o p u l a t i o n
pressure a n d resource depletion. We c a n eliminate nuclear
w e a p o n s . We can confine national m i l i t a r y forces w i t h i n their
native borders.
A b o v e all, t h r o u g h our example a n d assistance we c a n lead all
nations to an acceptance of rule by l a w in international affairs,
applied through w o r l d courts, and enforced w h e n necessary b y

co-operative international military forces.
Together we can l e a d the w o r l d over the threshold of an
enduring A g e of Reason.
Epilogue
E v e r y age has its p r o b l e m s . In these pages I have expressed the
thoughts of one A m e r i c a n relating to the p r o b l e m s w h i c h
p l a g u e the w o r l d in the c l o s i n g years of the t w e n t i e t h century.
Intelligence is the capacity to k n o w and to use T r u t h . Intelli-

gence acquires W i s d o m w h e n it is w e l l i n f o r m e d and compas-
sionate.
C o m m o n Sense reflects the w i s d o m shared b y ordinary h u m a n

beings.
The C o m m o n Sense of collective h u m a n i t y is sufficient to deal

w i t h the p r o b l e m s that confront us. We must a p p l y it resolutely
in our domestic a n d international activities, encouraging other
nations a n d their citizens to join w i t h us in b u i l d i n g a rational
w o r l d order—an A g e o f R e a s o n .
A n d as we c o n t e n d w i t h our i n t e r h u m a n problems, let us be

ever m i n d f u l of our s h e p h e r d ' s role in the larger w o r l d of
Nature.
Robert C h r i s t i a n

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Common Sense

Graphic Publishing Company, Inc.

Copyright 1986 by Graphic Publishing Company, Inc.

OVER TWO HUNDRED YEARS A G O a perceptive E n g l i s h m a n , T o m

lems can be solved t h r o u g h nonviolent means. The difficulties

govern o u r a n i m a l nature a n d assume a g u i d i n g role over all

T h e Soviet U n i o n and the U n i t e d States are both p o w e r f u l

w h i c h all nations can achieve an e n d u r i n g and peaceful partner-

IT IS PROBABLE THAT HUMANITY possesses even n o w the k n o w l -

agencies in g o v e r n i n g h u m a n affairs. Increasing crises may

thoughts are rational proposals for d e a l i n g w i t h the p r o b l e m s

R e p r o d u c t i o n is no longer exclusively a personal matter.

time is r u n n i n g out. Immediate action is required to avert

i n g a higher order of life, awareness, a n d intelligence. M u c h

Sometimes we must choose the least evil w i t h i n an array of

it to d e v e l o p its potentials in its o w n environment, influenced

can continue the central theme of the G u i d e s t o n e s : the accept-

1. M a i n t a i n h u m a n i t y u n d e r 500,000,000 in perpetual balance

THE H U M A N S P E C I E S N O W N U M B E R S nearly 5 billion i n d i v i d u a l s .

lating information. H e r e also are the neural circuits w h i c h

carry on the p h e n o m e n o n of life in a potentially endless chain

V e r y soon after birth we begin a life-long process of acquiring

endless reaches of time, revealing complex variations, i n n o v a -

dynamic than their neighbors. T h e y prevailed because of their

A stable a n d secure family u n i t is a characteristic of the most

citizenship. Irresponsible parenting m u s t not be tolerated or

Society today is u n d e r g o i n g great t u r m o i l a n d change. M a n y

THE M O S T I M P O R T A N T F U N C T I O N of every species is the procrea-

T h e plants and animals a r o u n d us have s u r v i v e d because

C o m m o n sense w o u l d suggest that w e m a k e the reduction i n

approach their m a x i m u m potentials in society. The cultivation

I N OUR COUNTRY TODAY nearly all adult citizens may vote.

assembly in w h i c h the l o w e r house was elected by qualified

In the nineteenth century, property and tax p a y i n g require-

O u r government structures have d e v e l o p e d lives of their

exercise that privilege, either t h r o u g h indifference or ignorance.

tions have become p o p u l a r i t y contests in w h i c h candidates out-

T h e needs of our people w i l l be better served by officials w h o

Prospects for the

THE F I R S T F O U R C E N T U R I E S of A m e r i c a n history have u n f o l d e d a

the rapid d e v e l o p m e n t of diversified industries, especially in

ized. A m e r i c a became the w o r l d leader in nearly a l l fields of

n a t i o n a n d depletion of the u n d e r g r o u n d water table w h i c h our

ment at a time w h e n government is approaching insolvency.

they seek to underprice foreign competitors, w h o s e societies

balance combine to exceed the total annual savings of the

E v e r y year we graduate a plethora of attorneys, o c c u p y i n g

will be lost to foreign w o r k e r s . C a p i t a l is mobile. Billions of

There are parallels between o u r federal finances and those of

abruptly flood the w o r l d w i t h paper dollars, thus defaulting on

c o m m o n people, e n d i n g the petty tyrannies a n d entrenched

g i v i n g them the responsibility for m a n a g i n g this large fraction

THERE A R E M A N Y A R E A S i n A m e r i c a n society w h i c h deserve

fields of science, history, a n d mathematics. Yet these are

their y o u t h . The early years of s c h o o l i n g are critically i m -

good g r o o m i n g , proper grammar, and the other social graces

tions s h o u l d be s t u d i e d to discover approaches w h i c h might be

M o r a l i t y a n d immorality are forbidden subjects in our p u b l i c

competition for industrial p r o d u c t i o n of many k i n d s . M i l l i o n s

p r i n t . The original w o u l d be kept in a central office. A copy

time by fissionable materials fueling electric generation, and

to privately o w n e d railroad companies in m u c h the same

The industrial r e v o l u t i o n caused another surge in h u m a n