9. If I were to rule the world...

I am sure that most of you have heard of Charles Dickens, the famous English writer. His one very famous novel was The Pickwick Papers, in which he describes the activities and the adventures of the members of the famous Pickwick Club. It is a very funny novel. In one scene, Samuel Pickwick, is in the midst of an election scene. He is mistaken by the surging crowd as an election candidate and made to speak out his manifesto.

Based on this scene, a famous song was composed by Leslie Bricusse and Cyril Ornadel in 1963. The title was If I ruled the world. This song was to promote many other stage and TV productions based on this picturesque title.

Well, on hearing the theme given to me to speak on, this is what immediately comes to my mind. However, I am sure what you might be expecting to hear from me would be what I would actually contemplate on doing if I were to rule this world.

Gentlemen, it sure is a difficult question to answer. If I were to rule the world? It would signify a very quaint scenario, in which there is only one single government for the whole world. In many ways, it is a theme that had been pondered upon by many great minds of the world, including Bertrand Russell, the English philosopher. In the early part of the last century, there were many persons who saw an immense possibility for this to happen. For England was ruling a great many parts of the globe, including Great Britain. It was only a few more steps, they thought, for this to be made a reality. However, as we know it, it never came to happen.

But then, a single rule for the whole world can have both benevolent as well as malevolent affects. It depends. On who rules the world. If I were to have this power, my first concern should be that my rule should be benevolent. It can very easily turn malevolent. For power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, that is what the adage claims. It need not be me who turns malicious, but the various organs of my rule. The civil administration, the police, the army, the various power lobbies, the various business interests. Well, I should be able to set up a very transparent administrative system over the people.

But then, what about the people? Low calibre people can easily corrupt and atrophy even a most noble administrative system. It shall be my first and foremost endeavour to see that people quality shall go up.

What about other things? Well, vegetation is disappearing from this globe. Urgent steps are required to stop this looming disaster. The oceans need protection. The climate needs protection. The various indigenous peoples in the various continents need protection. Well, can I rise up to the expectations of the people as well as of mine own? Well, it depends on my team. Would I get a good team? Well, if providence chances to provide me with one such, I shall save this globe from becoming a dry shell.