World peace, technology, and the need for new institutions
WHAT would politics look like, if our world leaders were guided or, rather, compelled by their love of humanity? What would society look like if we all knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that this life here was fleeting, that our true identity and home are spiritual in nature, and that in reality we are one?
In Islam, we find the principle that if one were to kill a person, it is as if one had slain mankind entirely, while if one saved a soul, it would be like saving humanity as a whole. Jesus said to love one’s neighbour. Baháʼu'lláh said we are the leaves of one tree and the fruits of one branch.
And so while world peace is often discussed as an elusive ideal, at its core, I would say it’s the ultimate goal of human civilization -a reflection of our fundamental oneness.
The need for world peace is not only a practical necessity in a world increasingly interconnected, but a spiritual imperative as well. To understand the concept of world peace, we must recognise that it is not simply about halting wars. It is about achieving a state of harmony where humanity collectively recognizes its oneness, both in material and spiritual terms, and acts on the basis of that knowledge.
The need for peace
Humanity’s need for peace stems from what I believe to be its very purpose. My premise is that we are first and foremost spiritual beings navigating a physical existence, and this material world serves as a training ground for the soul.
To take it further, in this temporary Matrix of sorts, the deeper purpose of our existence is to progress spiritually by recognising the oneness of our Creator, the oneness of religion throughout the ages, and the oneness of humanity. This oneness isn’t just an abstract notion but a reality that ought to be reflected in our societies.
However, the physical world we inhabit is rife with division. Greed, pride, and attachment to material wealth and status have always been significant obstacles to peace. People become ensnared by their lower impulses - desires for power, domination, and control - obscuring their ability to recognise the shared spiritual bond they have with others. This disconnection from higher realities creates a system where injustice can flourish, conflicts emerge, and distrust spreads.
In a world driven by self-interest and a materialist worldview, peace remains out of reach. The foundational obstacle lies in our collective failure to recognize our divine origin and unity, which should guide human affairs. Without this recognition, even the best technological advancements can fall short of their potential to foster real progress.
The role of technology
Technological innovation offers us new tools to address some of the problems that have plagued humanity for centuries.
Bitcoin, for example, is one such innovation. By decentralising financial systems and reducing the need for centralised intermediaries, Bitcoin and similar technologies create more transparent, accessible, and equitable systems.
They offer the potential to eliminate some of the inequalities that have historically contributed to global instability. In this sense, technology can serve as a powerful lever for peace, removing the structural barriers that keep many from participating in global prosperity.
But technology, no matter how advanced, cannot solve these issues on its own. It is not a cure-all. While Bitcoin can help address financial injustice, and decentralization can foster greater fairness, these systems still need to be guided by human values. They must be rooted in principles of justice, fairness, and service to others if they are to truly contribute to peace.
A world where each of us distrusts the other and we build technology to excuse ourselves from the painstaking effort to establish love and unity in the hearts of men will not bring peace. In such a world, Bitcoin won’t be a source of good but becomes a plaything for those seeking power and profit.
The need for new institutions
For technological innovations like Bitcoin to be truly transformative, they must be developed hand-in-hand with a concerted virtuous striving and with the creation of new institutional frameworks. Establishing Bitcoin as a currency for the world does not just require us to question the nature of money, but also the nature of man, the purpose of life, and the requirements for peace.
The institutions of today - many of them born out of outdated systems of control and distorted views on human nature - are often inadequate in addressing the challenges of the modern world.
These institutions tend to reflect the same materialistic tendencies that lead to conflict in the first place. If we are to move toward a more peaceful and just world, we need institutions that are built on principles of trust, transparency, and service to humanity.
All this might seem far-fetched for those who are disappointed in today’s world and drawn to pessimism, but with VALR we aspire exactly to be one such trusted institution. But of course we need a new breed of institutions across all human affairs, not just finance.
These new institutions should not only regulate and safeguard the use of technology but should also foster a sense of collective responsibility. They must be designed to reflect our higher purpose, ensuring that material progress made through technological innovation is supportive of and driven by spiritual progress as well. In short, these new institutions should safeguard the interests of all people, not just a privileged few.
One of the core principles that should guide the creation of these institutions is the recognition of oneness - oneness of the Creator, oneness of religion throughout the ages, and oneness of humanity. These seem like huge principles. That’s because they are. We could argue but we’ve tried division - let’s try this instead.
When institutions are built with these principles at their foundation, they are better equipped to promote justice and peace and truly act in the interests of mankind. They act as custodians of both technological progress and the well-being of the people they serve.
This is not to suggest that institutions themselves can directly create peace, but they can help build the conditions for peace. They can ensure that resources are distributed fairly, that innovation benefits everyone, and that the rights and aspirations of individuals are protected. In this way, institutions become the guardians of both material and spiritual progress.
It’s sad to say that this is not the case today, but as we look to a future - we should certainly aim for this standard.
Final thoughts
World peace is not an abstract ideal - it is a practical goal that humanity must strive toward if we are to fulfil our higher purpose. It requires us to overcome the material and spiritual obstacles that divide us, and to create systems and institutions that reflect the oneness of humanity.
Technology, particularly innovations like Bitcoin, has the potential to support this endeavour by providing the infrastructure enabling for the expression of high ideals such as transparency, inclusivity and fairness in finance.
But technology alone is not enough. We need new institutions that are guided by spiritual principles, ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are shared by all and used to promote peace, justice, and unity.
Ultimately, true peace is achieved when both spiritual and material progress are pursued together, and when our institutions and technologies reflect our deeper understanding of our shared destiny. Peace, in its fullest sense, is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, unity, and the living and widespread recognition of humanity’s oneness.
About the author
Ben Caselin is Chief Marketing Officer at VALR.com, the Pantera-backed crypto exchange, headquartered in Johannesburg.
