The Tradition of Philosophical Anarchism and Future Directions in World Policy

Bibliographic Data

ID3916641
AuthorsThomas G Wei (0000-0002-5258-4947, United Nations Institute for Training and Research, corresponding author), Thomas G Weiss (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)
Year1975
Volume12
Issue1
Pages1-17
Publication date1975-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3433 • E-ISSN: 1460-3578
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/002234337501200101
OpenAlexW1990453342
LanguageEN
Citations received11

Introduction The human species has recently begun to reexamine the widespread belief that there exists an ever-increasing capacity to bend favorably the universe in its favor. This reexamination has been stimulated by the recognition that certain world problems individually or in synergistic combination may prove lethal. A number of scholars, students, and activists have applied the label 'world order'1 to a systemic and futureoriented method of inquiry into interrelationships among five of these problems: war and violence, poverty, injustice, ecological instability, and individual alienation. The investigator is asked to clarify values, describe the present world, project the likely future, posit alternative visions of the world system, and formulate a transitional strategy to a better world. In contrast to the conventional methodologies of international relations,2 the purpose of such an approach is to begin worldwide discussions of policy-recommendations that can mobilize large numbers of concerned persons to transform the global political system by the end of this century. The crucial step in any process that leads to purposive societal change is agreement upon the essential agenda for improving the quality of life. In effect, we are here speaking of a process of global value clarification. The discussion of values is important since norms determine what elements of the present and projected world system are to be evaluated, what kind of alternative institutions are to be initiated, and what type of action strategy is relevant. The research trend toward specifying values and working for a particular vision has been characterized, if somewhat prematurely, as the 'twilight of the value-free era.'3 Since values reflect cultural and class contexts, great effort must be made especially in a process devoted to reaching consensus at the global level not to exaggerate the values of a dominant culture.4 While the dominance of Western, industrialized values has been attacked by the poor, non-industrialized world, Western peace researchers should not be overly defensive about value insights that are particular to the West. One such alternative, and potentially fruitful, source of insight is the tradition of philosophical anarchism. Although not normally taken seriously by peace researchers, this school of Western progressive literature hlias concerns that overlap with those of world order in important ways. In fact, the dovetailing of these two approaches could provide an important response to what may be the crucial political question in the last quarter of this century: how can humankind take the drastic institutional steps necessary to maintain existence while simultaneously insuring an acceptable quality of life for individuals? While the counterculture of the late 1960's appears to be dying, the concern of many of its advocates with the dilemma involved in reconciling autonomy and authority has a strong anarchist tone and remains a strikingly pertinent issue for peace research.5 For the maintenance of life on this planet, many scholars and decision-makers argue that global authority and institutions are necessary and desirable. While several such global designs are ingenious and would be

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