A New Pathway to World Peace: From American Empire to First Global Nation

Horrific changes are descending upon humanity most of them man-made all of them threatening the survival of humankind on Mother Earth. Forever wars the threat of nuclear destruction the ecology collapsing worldwide swelling waves of migrants and unprecedented global inequality of wealth are upon us. The dominant modern worldview prevailing for many centuries has produced all the above and needs swift and radical change. Central to this unfolding tragedy stands the United States boasting its exceptionality. Alexis de Tocquevilles Democracy in America coined and defined how America was an exceptional nation. However the America he lauded in the early 1800s and what it has become today are as different as Antarctica and Hawaii. This book is designed to pry open the eyes and minds of people everywhere about the true nature of the US as a spiritual and political (but not militaristic) nation one to emulate and with whom to collaborate on helping resolve the violence and myopia plaguing humankind right now. It illuminates a new way to reshape American thinking and that of the whole world sensibly and with sensitivity to all humanity and the planet itself. But you must read to the last word to absorb the entire vision. Dators Second Law of the Futures states that any useful idea about the futures should appear to be ridiculous. Every aspect of the proposal of this book--that Israel become the fifty-first State of the United States--seems preposterous in the extreme. Therefore I sincerely recommend it to you. Like many other ridiculous ideas that turned out to be obvious in the futures this might be a big one indeed. --Jim Dator Futures Studies University of Hawaii Authors Ted Becker and Brian Polkingham propose a provocative interest-based approach to resolving one of the most entrenched conflicts in human history--the divisive rancor in the Middle East. Identifying common core or underlying interests such as survival existence identity boundaries peace and security enjoyment of life and productivity they synthesize positive components of American Exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny to fashion a pragmatic mutually beneficial resolution for Israel her prospectively collaborative neighbors the USA and consequentially the globe. -- C. Kevin Coonrod Ombudsman Auburn University Ted Becker was the first Walter Meyer Professor of Law at NYU School of Law and is Chair and Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawaii and Chair and Alma Holladay Professor Emeritus at Auburn University. He is the author of fifteen books. Brian Polkinghorn is a Distinguished Professor of Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution and the Executive Director of the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution at Salisbury University. He is a renowned international mediator and a Fulbright Ambassador.