David J Quinn
October 25, 2008
Quinn replying to Peter Ndiang’ui based on reading Steven Rockefeller
Are humans truly capable of changing their hearts when it comes to core values? Are governments willing to change their constitutions in order to really comply with the United Nations, the Earth Charter, and the Millennium Development Goals? In this country, we may need a constitutional convention in order to analyze our laws and react to a tremendously different world than that envisioned by the founding fathers. For example, should we allow foreign corporations to contribute large amounts of money to influence the political process in the United States? With almost unlimited resources, can multinational corporations control our president and senate? Therefore, can they nominate the next Supreme Court? Americans need to think hard about political finance reform. We need to deeply reflect on what we want for our future government.
Peter N’diang’ui makes the point that we need to be careful, or we may destroy the resources on this earth and ourselves in the process. Furthermore, he suggests that we are faced with common problems. I agree with Peter that we have shared responsibilities to combat terrorism, to combat the spread of killer viruses, etc. Steven Rockefeller (2005) points out significant value of the Earth Charter when he argues this statement:
One especially important contribution of the Earth Charter to the shaping of the new global ethics is the document’s recognition of the interdependence of all its principles and presentation of a holistic and integrated ethical outlook. More concretely, the Earth Charter appreciates the interrelation of humanity’s environmental, economic, political, social, and spiritual challenges, and, therefore, its ethical principles include, for example, respect for nature, environmental conservation, poverty eradication, human rights, gender equality, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace. (p. 166)
Consequently, Peter Ndiang’ui’s argument that “at the forefront is communication” is essential because “we are joined together in a common destiny” as Peter says. When the world’s economic markets tumble, jobs are affected all over the world. We can no longer close off our borders and just deal with our own issues as envisioned by some leaders in the 20th century. I think Peter makes a terrific point when he says, “The world has become our village”.
Steven Rockefeller (2005) states the following: “There is an urgent need to strengthen and accelerate positive trends, and civil society can make the difference. Citizens, NGOs, and religious organizations must keep the pressure on governments and business” (p. 170). Therefore, people need to be much more involved with government. We need to have a voice in the future of our world. We need to make a plethora of changes to our Constitution to account for the conditions of the 21st century and beyond. We can’t afford to sit back and watch a select few with all the resources take control of the entire world without participating in the decision-making. In order for us to achieve Rockefeller and Peter’s N’diang’ui’s vision of a change of heart, we need to participate in the political process, and we need to think critically and with a moral compass. Maybe, someday we will become “citizens of one world” as Peter concludes. My questions are what type of world we want. Will you participate in the future development of this world? Will you work for positive sustainable change?
Reference
Rockefeller, S.C. (2005). The transition to sustainability. In Corcoran, P.B., Vilela, M., & Roerink, A. (Eds.), The Earth Charter in action: Toward a sustainable world (pp. 165-170). Amsterdam: KIT Publishers BV.