Stoic Thinker:
It is true that humanity is beset with problems, but to be fair Akria never said otherwise. He was merely advocating looking at the bigger picture rather than thinking just in terms of narrow self-interest.
It is also true that nation states will likely not disappear from the planet, and in fact would be preferable if they did not because they offer a bulwark against totalitarianism. On the other hand, the existence of nation states does not mean that we are thereby contained by them exclusively. I happen to think that for moral, political and strategic reasons we should confront totalitarian regimes wherever practicable. Strictly speaking, that is not acting solely in the national interest (although it may be argued that it reflects our long-term interests).
So what I wish to suggest is that the narrow nationalism, and in particular the isolationist foreign policy that many advocate, is ultimately self-defeating. What happens in the world beyond our borders is our business and we should treat it as such. If that is taking decisions on the basis of how they affect 'humanity' then so be it.
To think in this way involves no rose-tinted view of the world. On the contrary, it means confronting the difficult issues rather than ignoring them and letting them fester. We may not always get it right but if we show not interest or conviction in tackling the worst aspects of the contemporary world then we will deserve to be dragged down into the pit ourselves.
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