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Shaming the NSA is First Step to Ending 'State of Nature' (Folha, Brazil)

 

"There is little doubt that, within their own capacities, everyone spies on everyone else. The issue is whether there is any way to try and change that. ... International relations, because they aren't mediated by any central power comparable to a sovereign, have long been likened to a Hobbesian state of nature in which 'the war of all against all' prevails. Though hyperbolic, the image has its appeal in this case. However, in the same way that humans were able to transcend this supposed state of nature and establish more harmonious and governed forms of living together, why can't nations do something similar?"

 

By Hélio Schwartsman*

                                      

 

Translated By Brandi Miller

 

November 6, 2013

 

Brazil - Folha - Original Article (Portuguese)

English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who lived from 1588-1679, studied the human condition, and considered the 'state of nature' - all out war - to be the opposite of civilization.   BBC NEWS AUDIO: An examination of the philiosophy of Thomas Hobbes, Apr. 1, 2012, 00:28:08

SÃO PAULO: The espionage scandals go from strength to strength. Since the last time I commented on this two months ago, we've discovered that President Dilma Rousseff was personally targeted by U.S. prying. Since then, dozens of leaders around the world, including Angela Merkel, have joined Dilma.

 

This is not, however, just a story of heroes and villains. Brazil lacks the technical competence to monitor Obama’s phone calls, but as [journalist] Lucas Ferraz has shown, SNI [Brazilian Intelligence Agency] usually keeps an eye on foreign diplomats working in the country.

 

There is little doubt that, within their own capacities, everyone spies on everyone else. The issue is whether there is any way to try and change that.

 

International relations, because they aren't mediated by any central power comparable to a sovereign, have long been likened to a Hobbesian state of nature in which “the war of all against all” prevails. Though hyperbolic, the image has its appeal in this case. However, in the same way that humans were able to transcend this supposed state of nature and establish more harmonious and governed forms of living together, why can't nations do something similar?

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Anthropologist Christopher Boehm argues that moral conscience, a prerequisite for civilization, was preceded by a process of social self-domestication, in which even dominant males learned to exercise self-control. At first they avoided the use of force for fear of retaliation against the group, but over time, violence became second nature.

 

If this model is applicable to international relations, we should complain every time any country is caught spying more than it should. Making them feel uncomfortable is the first step to one day succeeding in making real the maxim "Gentlemen do not read each other's mail."

 

Hélio Schwartsman, 42, is editor of the Folha de São Paulo. He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and published Aquilae Titicans – The Secret of Avicena - An Adventure in Afghanistan in 2001. He writes for the print version of Page A2 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and for the Web site on Thursdays. E-mail: helio@folhasp.com.br

 

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Posted By Worldmeets.US Nov. 6, 2013, 4:39pm