The Politics of World Federation (Session 4)

Lobbying, membership drives and speeches can raise a cause fast. A change in the international mood can end it just as fast. Session 4 of The Politics of World Federation read chapter 17, on Cord Meyer and United World Federalists.

Discussion Highlights

Joseph Preston Baratta profiled Meyer, a wounded Marine veteran who became president of United World Federalists at 26. Meyer spoke widely, took a salary cut and pushed for national legislation. The first world federalist resolutions reached Congress in 1947. At hearings, Meyer was asked what single change he would make to the UN. He said not to touch the veto, but to make the General Assembly represent the people. Then events overtook the group: the 1948 coup in Czechoslovakia, the North Atlantic Treaty and the Korean War. Meyer joined the CIA in 1951, which many colleagues saw as a betrayal.

Members asked what the story teaches CGS today, noting parallels in method. Other topics included the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev and whether nations need an enemy to unite. Members discussed the difference between Albert Einstein’s “sound” pacifism and an absolute refusal of force. They also discussed the Bahá’í distinction between a lesser and a greater peace. The group agreed on its next book, Union Now by Clarence Streit.

Quotations are taken from the recording’s automatic captions.

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