Nations United or Divided

In Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy, Sophie Amundsen embarks on a philosophical journey that unveils the history of Western thought, revealing how ideas shape reality, ethics, and society. The novel’s theme—that the world is an interconnected tapestry woven by human consciousness—parallels the fragile interdependence of nations today.

One day 14-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?" From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. It's soon revealed through postcards and letters that these are part of a gift from Albert Knag to his daughter Hilde. Albert is explicitly described as working for the UN in Lebanon, setting up the metafictional layer where he uses philosophy to teach Hilde about the world while on a peacekeeping mission.

In one of his letters, Albert writes, "The philosophers of the Enlightenment dreamed of a world governed by reason, much like the United Nations today seeks to unite countries in a federation bound by law and human rights, preventing the chaos of endless wars.” World peace and cooperation depend on the United Nations, an institution embodying rational dialogue over force. This vision is undermined when countries violate the letter and/or the spirit of international law.

The UN as Philosophy in Action: Rationality and Global Order

The UN, founded in 1945, reflects Enlightenment ideals, prioritizing reason, human rights, and perpetual peace. Its Charter, particularly Article 2(4) banning force, envisions a federation bound by law. The UN’s success is critical: over 70 peacekeeping missions since 1948, from Congo to Kosovo, have curbed conflicts, preventing regional escalations. Like a dialectic where opposing forces yield synthesis, the UN fosters cooperation through dialogue, as seen in the 2030 Agenda addressing poverty and inequality—root causes of strife. Agencies like WHO and UNICEF embody sympathy, coordinating global responses to crises, reinforcing collective agency against despair.

However, the UN’s efficacy hinges on member compliance. The Security Council’s veto power, held by the P5 (US, Russia, China, UK, France), balances influence with restraint, akin to a social contract. Post-WWII, the UN mediated crises like Suez, averting broader wars. Yet, vetoes shielding aggression—over 50 US vetoes on Israel-Palestine since 1972—undermine this, evoking a scenario where power obscures justice. The UN’s philosophical promise lies in transcending tribalism, but only if states honor its principles.

The Reagan Era: The Roots of Undermined Multilateralism

The UN’s fragility stems from 1982, when Reagan’s US cast its first veto, blocking a Palestinian rights resolution—a shift from cooperation to unilateralism. Before, the US supported or abstained on 30+ resolutions; after, over 40 vetoes protected Israel. Reagan withheld UN dues, citing waste, a tactic Trump echoes in 2025, threatening defunding amid UN budget crises. Noam Chomsky says that Reagan’s government "went underground" via covert ops and CIA adventurism, while Reagan did photo ops with giant props and delivered speeches and one-liners like the actor he was.

At the time, Dr. Oliver Sacks passed through a hospital aphasia ward one day when the patients were all roaring with laughter at President Reagan, who was on television, giving a serious speech. Reagan’s theatrics, expressions, false gestures and, above all, false tones and cadences rang false for these wordless but immensely sensitive patients. Sacks writes, “One cannot lie to an aphasiac. He cannot grasp your words, and so cannot be deceived by them; but what he grasps he grasps with infallible precision, namely the expression that goes with the words.”

Meanwhile, neoconservatism fused militarism with moral crusades, advocating regime change through "creative destruction." Neoliberalism, via tax cuts and deregulation, tripled deficits while preaching small government, entrenching inequality. The GOP-SBC alliance, backed by Kochs and neoconfederates, melded fiscal conservatism with evangelical zeal, prioritizing power over public will. Covert actions, like mining Nicaragua’s harbors despite ICJ rulings, cemented this underground shift, weakening UN norms.

Trump 2025: The Culmination of Elite Power

Trump’s 2025 administration fulfills Reagan’s legacy, vetoing Gaza ceasefires and cutting UNRWA funding. Threats to defund risk Article 19 vote loss, crippling UN operations. Neocons like Rubio and Waltz drive US strikes on Iran and support Israel’s annexations, prioritizing "Greater Israel" over UN principles. The GOP-SBC-neofascist coalition, fueled by industrialists, entrenches unilateralism, embodying existential absurdity where cooperation falters. This trajectory is far from Gaarder’s vision of rational unity. Israel’s actions, enabled by US power, reflect will-to-power, not peace. Global pressure can revive UN efficacy—maybe.

The Philosophical Path Forward

The UN’s promise lies in its embodiment of reason, but its failures—veto gridlock, unenforced resolutions—stem from power politics. Unchecked power becomes violence, unraveling global order. Gaarder’s narrative asks: Can humanity transcend chaos? Solutions lie in education and action. The GOP-SBC alliance, thriving since 1980, requires exposure through public discourse. Grassroots movements must hold states accountable.

Sophie’s World frames philosophy as humanity’s tool to weave a just world, embodied by the UN’s cooperative ideal. Yet, Israel’s Doha airstrike, US-Iran bombings, and Gaza genocide—enabled by the Reagan era shift and Trump’s 2025 policies—threaten this vision. From 1982 vetoes to threats, the GOP-SBC bloc has eroded multilateralism. If we cannot reclaim reason, strengthening the UN to counter power with peace, high-tech imperialist adventurism, with US-Saudi-Israeli, and Russo-Chinese police states vying with each other for resources and territory, is inevitable, if not world war.

The Earth, our only home, is sending urgent signals—rising seas, melting glaciers, and intensifying storms—while conflicts strain the fragile bonds of our global community. Yet, in this critical hour, we hold the power to choose a path of understanding, unity, and action to safeguard our future.

The environment calls for our attention. Increasingly alarming scientic reports warn of lost coral reefs, ice sheets, and coastal communities. Recent data, like the Arctic sea ice reaching a low of 4.28 million square kilometers this summer, underscores the urgency. Scientists have worked tirelessly to share these truths, yet we often hesitate, wary of disheartening one another. We must find the courage to face these realities together, not out of fear, but to inspire meaningful action that honors every community, especially those most vulnerable.

Recent policy decisions, such as cutting funds for NOAA and NASA, have limited our ability to monitor hurricanes, ice melt, and sea levels through programs like GOES-R and GRACE-FO. These tools are vital for preparing for disasters and understanding our planet’s changes. Restoring these resources would empower us to respond with clarity and care, ensuring communities are not left unprepared when storms strike.

Our shared story has been one of ambition and growth, but it has sometimes overlooked the Earth’s limits. As biologist George Tsakraklides observes, we’ve reshaped ecosystems to meet our needs, from the near-loss of the American bison to the felling of chestnut forests. Today, we face the challenge of balancing growth with sustainability. Proposals for “green” solutions are a step forward, but we must ensure they foster true resilience, not just more consumption. By embracing honest dialogue about our planet’s capacity, we can find paths that nurture rather than deplete. Leadership plays a crucial role in this moment. We need leaders who prioritize long-term well-being, fostering hope through action rather than division.

Geopolitically, our world is interconnected, as Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World reminds us through its exploration of reason and unity. The UN, born from a vision of peace in 1945, has worked to prevent conflict and address poverty through initiatives like the 2030 Agenda. Yet, recent events, such as the 2025 escalations in the Middle East, challenge this vision. These actions, alongside vetoes that shield violations of international norms, strain the principles of justice and cooperation. We must recommit to dialogue and diplomacy, honoring the UN’s call for peace and the rights of all people.

Amid these challenges, voices of doubt sometimes obscure the truth. Efforts to question the EPA’s Endangerment Finding or limit data from satellites like Landsat and Jason echo past tactics to delay action, as Naomi Oreskes’ Merchants of Doubt describes. We can counter this by supporting scientists and transparent data, ensuring decisions are grounded in evidence that serves the common good.

Ugo Bardi’s Seneca Effect warns that gradual pressures—pollution, conflict, or denial—can lead to sudden collapse. We need to reimagine our priorities. Dave Pollard’s quality-of-life index, focusing on sufficiency, equality, and clean air, offers a vision for equitable resilience. “Cathedral thinking,” or building for the long term, can guide us, but only if rooted in truth and collective care. https://howtosavetheworld.ca/2025/09/05/sufficiency-inequality-and-precarity-better-measures-of-quality-of-life/

The path forward lies in embracing honesty, restoring trust in shared knowledge, and acting with compassion for all. By supporting scientific research, fostering global cooperation, and prioritizing sustainability, we can build a future that honors every life. The challenges are great, but so is our capacity for change. Let us choose a path that reflects our shared humanity, working together to nurture a world that endures for generations to come.