Who is Bertrand Russell?
Mr. Russell is the most quoted name in the world of politics. He opened his eyes on 18 May 1872 in Trellech. Russell was proficient in mathematics, philosophy, logic, history and in social criticism. His collection of essays, known as "Unpopular Essays" is a mark of his accurate foresight. The essay Future of Mankind pretty much represents what its title says. The essay foretells how the mankind of the earth may perceive its future? [This is what we will discuss in the later lines]
Summary
Russell gives three major possibilities when he starts this essay. The first possibility is if a third world war gets ignited, it will wipe out all the human population from the surface of the planet earth. The second possibility is after the third world war, only a small number of people will be left who will recolour the human life once again after the cruel barbarism. And the third possibility is about the formation of a world government which might be established after peaceful negotiations and war if necessary. Russell suggests mankind to avoid the first two possibilities and to focus on the third one for the globalization of peace.
Russell openly hints that the establishment of a single world government through force as Soviet Russia may retaliate against the concept of a world government. All the military force in the leadership of the USA has to fight against the [communist] Soviet Russia and to defeat it to retain the worldly peace.
Russell says that the U.S.A. respects and grants its masses the freedom of inquiry, thought, discussion and human feelings. On the other hand, Russia idolizes a specific agenda through narrowing the science, art and literature. The freedom which a person enjoys is absent in Russia. But Russell also advocates that the freedom must be limited by the law so that the freedom should have its value.
Is Russell a Prophet?
In this essay, Russell shows his political insight at its best. His words truly imply with today's situation (but rather differently) and most of his prophecies went true by the time when he was writing this essay. He signalled at a possible war between Russia and the USA which did happen indirectly. So Russell is partially a prophet.
Russell Advocates Democratic System
Russell's admiration of the democratic freedom found in the U.S.A. and in the Great Britain significantly holds water against the totalitarian influence which persisted Russia and China. According to Russell, the USA and the UK are champions of democracy but Russia is a looser and China does not also leg behind the race of communism in this regard. So, Russell is a true advocator of democracy.
The War Between Russia and the USA could Destroy the Whole World
Russell directly asserts that if democracy has to survive against the communism, then the democratic powers (the UK and the USA) have to wage a war against Russia and China. This is a severe miscalculation of Bertrand Russell who forgets that Russia is the owner of the largest reserves of nuclear bombs. If a war is inflamed between the two, it will prove the final knell (a bell of death) to the existence of mankind on the planet earth. But both are aware of this fact of great danger so they have decided not to create an infernal planet. A balance of powers between the two has terminated the anxiety of any possible war in future.
The Idea of a World Government will Remain a Dream
The concept of a world government sounds utopian and impractical but valid at its point. Russell is himself aware of the fact that the giant Russia and even the small countries will not accept the idea of a world government. Nationalism and ego of the small countries like Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan etc. have risen to a sky-like height and they launch challenges against other nations as if they were the owner of the world. Such independent behaviour will minimize the sense of a single government.
Conclusion
Even if we may not agree with Russell's prophecies about the future, we still have to admit that the main motive behind his essay is the protection of mankind from a possible extinction through a nuclear war. This essay of Russell is marked with vivid clarity and transparent lucidity while retaining his superb command in the English Prose.
Sources, References and Suggested Readings
love it, being a writer from the mesmerising places of mianwali/ the land of i-khan, just love your words.
ReplyDeletethanks, respected sir.
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