Multi culture

When USA entered the first world war and sent soldiers to Europe, some Europeans were surprised that the American soldiers considered themselves to be American. They were not American. Many of them were fresh immigrants from different countries. But they were ready to fight and die under the American flag.

In Europe at that time nationality was an issue of life and death. For a french person it could mean death just to talk to a German.

These days things are different. Thanks to EU, Europe has had a long time of peace. Never before in the history of that continent has there been so much peace for so long.

We see that the ability to live together and accept cultural differences is not about culture or nations, but about mind.

Is it in accordance with human nature to live in peace? Well, yes and no. The no answer seems to be the most obvious. There has been a lot of wars during history,

But the yes alternative is stronger.´If we have a chance to choose, we are easily convinced of the advantages of peaceful cooperation.

But if we want a stable peace we have to look into the deepest recesses of mind. What will we find there? We did find Nazism not that long ago.

The factor that could cause war could be called a dirty will to power. We all have a will to power. But it is only when it is dirty and infected that it becomes a serious threat.

Dirt and infection in mind is always adventitious, according to Buddhist psychology. So there is room for optimism.

Dirt and infection in mind can be eliminated by being exposed to light and awareness. And in the modern world with a high level of education and information all individuals can take part in this enlightenment.

So globalization and the meeting of cultures could by itself be a peace supporting process.

Free minds

Six years after the start of the war in Iraq...

Saddam Hussein is dead, and so are some 90 000 other Iraqis, and more than 4 000 American soldiers.

For a child, six years is a long time. Those who were ten years old when the war started are 16 now. What kind of schooling have they received? What have they learned about human nature and human brutality outside school?

Militarily, the war was short, but the reconstruction of Iraq takes long time. The reason is obvious: lack of knowledge and experience. There is no lack of weapons.

Economically the war has been expensive.

So next time a dictator is asked to answer for his actions, the best option is to use an international tribunal.

Then we save 100 000 human lives, a generation of young people and a lot of money. And we avoid a lot of material destruction.

Is this realistic? Could be.