Will We Ever Learn to Co-Exist ?

Margaret Thatcher, while leader of the opposition, is claimed to have remarked, “Some chancellors are micro economic, some chancellors are fiscal, this one\'s just plain cheap”. No wonder she was dubbed the “Iron Lady” by the Soviets. A name that stuck and I suspect she relishes. But that is democracy at it’s best. Try saying that about a military dictator or his cronies and you will be erased from history as well. In the democratic system, Baroness Thatcher, as she is today, rose to become the first lady British Prime Minister and the longest serving Prime Minister in 100 years.  



It is in human nature to form groups and rival each other for superiority. As we grew towards a more civilised society we hoped that the rivalry would be restricted to debate, negotiation or arbitration for settlement, rather than the primitive instinct to inflicting bodily harm. Apparently, that has not really happened. Despite democracy spreading conflicts have not reduced, rather the tactics have changed. The intensity of covert attacks on innocent civilian targets - labelled as terrorism - have actually increased and become the standard tactic amongst weaker groups taking on a formidable enemy. Sadly, conventional aggression has also not reduced.



When looking for an answer it is logical to presume that what happens today is usually a consequence of yesterday. So let us turn our attention to the most powerful country and it’s most successful President in recent history, Bill Clinton. I have always admired Bill Clinton for his oratory and ability to reach out to people. He can be as regal as the most powerful man on earth and as common as have his pet dog, “Buddy” run over by a car, among other things.



While delivering the Dimbleby lecture, he advocated that instead of fighting each other we should be fighting common enemies to mankind; like disease and poverty. He further explained that we should co-operate on developing technology and...