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International

this colossal world figure. The editor Michael to reduce military spending and channel
S. Karlen has selected some passages for us. resources thus saved to peaceful development.”

Humanity’s Historic Maturity Test Trust in international relations
A deeper analysis of Mikhail Gorbachev’s life “I want to stand up for the very notion of trust
and an identification with his ideas, ideals in international relations. This is not something
and political thoughts and visions bring ephemeral, not just “good intentions.” This is
profound results. We discover a person that what happens when parties respect each other
is deeply connected with the world’s situation, and take into account each other’s interests.
its needs and its possibilities. Following are And this is achieved by concrete deeds, concrete
elements taken from the writings of Mikhail agreements.” He certainly gave a tangible and
Gorbachev that show the way to a time and clear example how this can be done during his
situation when humanity has finally grown time as President of the Soviet Union.
up, has matured and has learned how to live
together peacefully and in solidarity and trust. Rising above narrow national interests
For Mikhail Gorbachev such a time is not “For me, the important thing is the central idea
only an achievable reality but also an absolute of shifting from a sense of belonging to a nation
necessity for the survival of the human race. to a sense of belonging to the human race.
Whether we like each other or not, we will have
Nuclear Disarmament to live on this planet together. Hence our most
“The only way towards genuine peace important task is to master the art of getting
is to eliminate these weapons [nuclear along together. And since this situation will be
ed.] altogether. To embark on this path around for quite a while, we have to learn to
means to pass a historic maturity test. live side by side in a civilized manner.”

If the life of billions of people is to be changed The need for a philosophical Perestroika
for the better in a most radical way, the funds “In the final analysis the main source of our
should be derived from what is now spent for troubles is not outside, but within us, in our
military purposes. In other words, it is necessary attitudes toward one another, toward society

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