Sunday, October 27, 2013

Ethnopluralism: a prediction comparing the ends of 19th and 21st century empires


According to John Willson the central insight of historian John Lukacs was that a sound understanding of human nature precludes the need for a philosophy of history. Bringing this idea deeper I would say a sound understanding of sociobiology precedes (not precludes) defining human nature and a philosophy of history. This leads to defining human nature as being kin-centered, gender defined, age-grading, heterosexual marriage-making, hierarchical, ethnocentric, even xenophobic, and religious-making, with group-selection as the primary unit of selection. In the 21st century this understanding of human nature will probably lead to affirming  ethnopluralism, which is rooted in human nature, beyond the ability of man to manipulate for any length of time, as history has shown us.

With this in mind we could see another upheaval in the 21st century not unlike the period at the end of empires in the 19th century, when conflicts led to many new independent states carved out of old empires---but one hopes less violent. This time it will be present nations, and whatever is left of their empires, devolving into an ethnopluralism of ethnostates, which will mean the return to political configurations that better reflect human nature and natural law. Light federalism can keep the peace among regions and ethnostates. In the U.S. the states can affirm this as harmonious with the Constitution. The small “fourth generation” warfare we see across the world may be a preamble to this devolution.

Although ethnopluralism will have its own problems being born, as did the nations of the 19th century, this will bring a healthier, more evolutionary world. Who will contend against this natural movement?  They and their arguments will lead the opposition to a healthier world.

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