We’ve already covered 1) Jesus Christ, 2) Catholicism (a term interchangeable with Christianity in the Church’s early years) and 3) the Protestant Reformation that split the Church in the 16th-17th Century. I do think it’s worth a separate entry on Christianity as a whole though, because whoever Jesus Christ was or wasn’t, the religion of Christianity is a fully human construct that evolved wholly independently of Jesus after his death. That construct has been highly effective: a third of the planet’s population remains Christian to this day. Continue reading Chapter 29: Christianity
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Chapter 28: Globalisation
So…..Globalisation. The word means many different things to many different people. From the opening up of all the world’s peoples, cultures and ideas (and the endless possibilities for learning that creates), to the inevitable distillation of thousands of cultures into one overarching way of life due to modern global communication networks (and the explosive clash of religious and social viewpoints that creates), to the sinister imposition of capitalism and commercialism onto every untouched corner of our planet (and the fierce political resistance that creates).
Whichever angle you’re coming from, globalisation’s an evocative word. Because of its myriad interpretations and connotations, using the word either positively or negatively can often end in miscommunication and resistance. Let’s try to break it down and try to understand whether globalisation’s an enabler or a hurdle on the World Peace Adventure. Continue reading Chapter 28: Globalisation
Chapter 27: European Union
The European Union (often shortened to the E.U.) is a political and economic union of 28 member states in Europe.
The E.U’s origins date back to a drive towards greater European integration after World War 2, to safeguard against the extreme forms of nationalism that devastated the continent during that conflict. The European Economic Community (EEC) formed in the 1950s between France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany with an aim to bring about economic integration and a common market (the first move towards an eventual single market). Continue reading Chapter 27: European Union
Chapter 26: African Union
We landed here from the ‘World Government’ adventure in Chapter 13 and the increasing move towards global federalism. The African Union (often shortened to the A.U.) is currently made up of 54 African member states (the only state not a full member is Morocco, although as at January 2015 the Central African Republic remains suspended). The A.U came into effect in July 2002, replacing predecessor body the Organisation of African Unity (O.A.U.) and its establishment is seen as a significant move towards an eventual full union of African states. Continue reading Chapter 26: African Union