A writer's doubt

Personal Note

The world is so vast, itself but an atom in an immensely vaster Universe.

But whatever the significance of our writing in the grand scheme of things, it could theoretically be significant for the flesh and blood human beings who inhabit our time snd space on this planet.

I have contributed my knowledge and reasoned analysis to discourse about world events. But my voice is tiny, and seems to have little or no influence on major decisions and world affairs.

I write for those whose ears are tuned to Reason, and who have some awareness of the wider world beyond the borders of the United States.

I write in parallel with the efforts of countless others who, like me, hope that reason and a knowledge of history and international law will have some bearing on decisions and the course of events.

In the United States, those of similar bent are now a small minority. According to recent polls, younger Americans have ranked foreign policy issues as of much less concern than have older generations.

Leading Republicans say they will not necessarily accept the results of the elections in November if their candidate does not win.

What is the point of writing and analyzing political developments and government decisions based on the facts, relevant history, and international law?

What is the value of pointing out that Trump and the Republicans represent a fascist movement which could take over the government of the United States? And if they do, that Trump could try to help Putin and the Russians win their war against Ukraine?

I guess the point is the same as it has always been. The voice of Reason, however weak it may become, must never be silenced.

I can do very little. But what I can do is add to the chorus of Reason which while perhaps weak now may become stronger in the future.

Mine is but one voice. A weak human voice. The hope, however, is that it will help inspire the voices of others. Until one day, as Martin Luther King said in his “I have a dream speech” in 1963,

“Justice (will) roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (King was quoting Amos: 5:24 from the Bible.)

The demand for Justice has been constant throughout recent history.

The demand for Freedom has grown since the 20th century, and its guarantee is now enshrined in countless international human rights treaties and constitutions.

The demand for Law and International Law has grown steadily since the early twentieth century, and the response is now established in many constitutions and in the United Nations Charter and innumerable international treaties and conventions.

The demand for Peace has existed for thousands of years.

We raise our voice in defense of Reason, and of the spiritual values of Freedom, Justice, Law, and Peace.

We hope to inspire other voices, in a small way, and that these voices will help lead us back to a world of Reason, where all good men and women can join hands in the struggle for Freedom, Justice, Law, and Peace.

Naive? Perhaps. But what is the alternative?

Simple. Important. All important.

But even lonely voices need encouragement. Feedback. Support. Examples of how others are pursuing these goals.

James Rowles is a former Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School and professor of international law at other universities.

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