International solidarity

8. An Internationalist Movement for Global Liberation

Deluism is defined as a global internationalist movement that aims to dissolve the rival nation-state system into a cooperative network of local communities. The objective of Deluism is to liberate and empower, rather than to conquer. In contrast to historical empires that imposed their rule by force, Deluism seeks to establish a world in which all nations collaborate and thrive together. This vision resonates with the principles of world federalism, seeking to establish "appropriate and effective global governance with the aim of preventing war, protecting the environment, and ensuring adherence to universal human rights". However, it is envisaged that this would be constructed from the bottom up by free communities. In practice, Deluist councils would coordinate across borders on shared challenges (poverty, climate, health, etc.) using democratic assemblies rather than militarized alliances. §

Liberation, Not Empire §

The expansion of Deluism can be considered as a form of liberation rather than an imperial conquest. The objective of the movement is not the seizure of territory or the imposition of foreign rule; rather, it is the assistance of oppressed communities in the overthrow of tyranny and the joining of a cooperative cause. The historical expansion of empires has been characterised by the subjugation of cultures and the extraction of resources. In contrast, Deluism is a philosophy that seeks to empower communities to govern themselves and provide mutual support. The objective of this struggle is not the establishment of a new empire, but rather the dissolution of all existing empires. §

Empires: Expansion by force and coercion. §

Deluism: Growth by voluntary solidarity and support. §

Conquest vs. Cooperation: Empires subjugate; Deluism unites communities against oppression. §

Universal Solidarity of Workers §

Deluism explicitly reinstates the slogan "Workers of the world, unite!" as a fundamental principle. As Marx and Engels proclaimed in the Communist Manifesto, "Workers of the World, Unite! The individual in question has been encouraged to consider the potential benefits of this offer, and to view the act of removing their chains as a positive step. This underscores the belief that no group or nation is truly free until all are free. The organisation rejects narrow nationalism and chauvinism, insisting that the global working class and oppressed peoples share a common struggle. In the context of Deluism, solidarity transcends national boundaries, with labour unions, farmers' cooperatives, and student movements among others establishing global networks. The fundamental assertion of this movement is that the pervasive phenomenon of poverty and injustice in any given locale invariably serves to erode the very fabric of freedom in all other regions. §

Transcending Nationalism §

Deluism is a philosophy that actively works to transcend both nationalism and xenophobia. It is acknowledged that economic development and global trade have already been eroding long-standing barriers. As Marx previously observed, "national differences and antagonisms between peoples are daily more and more vanishing" (Marx, 1848). Deluism accelerates this process by addressing the underlying causes of hatred, namely poverty, brutal competition, and imperial exploitation. The promotion of cultural and educational exchanges is a key strategy aimed at transforming diversity of language and history into a catalyst for enrichment, rather than fostering division. In a Deluist world, national identity is said to coexist with international friendship, underpinned by mutual respect rather than antagonism. §

A World Federation of Communities §

In practical terms, Deluism envisions a world federation of local councils. Once Deluist movements overthrow oppressive elites, liberated communities would federate across former borders into a cooperative global assembly. Think of a worldwide network of sister cities and regions, exchanging knowledge and aid. For example, formal sister-city partnerships already exist “to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation”. Deluism would scale up this idea to every community on the planet. Rather than state-based blocs, liberated towns and neighborhoods would join a global council to set shared policies. This federated council would coordinate disaster relief, public health, education, and environmental projects by consensus, truly reflecting the interests of people everywhere. §

Local Councils: Each liberated community governs itself democratically. §

Global Assembly: Communities send representatives to an international council for world issues. §

Sister-City Networks: Formal partnerships at city/regional level strengthen solidarity. §

From Geopolitics to Global Peace §

Deluism replaces state militarism with collective security. The proposal entails the dissolution of all standing armies in favour of the establishment of a global peacekeeping coalition. This strategic realignment would unlock substantial resources, as evidenced by the fact that a mere 7% of global military expenditure (approximately $265 billion in 2019) is sufficient to address global hunger. It is evident from the findings of numerous studies that an increase in arms budgets does not contribute to an improvement in global security; rather, it serves to exacerbate existing tensions. The redistribution of financial resources under a Deluism framework would be directed towards addressing fundamental human needs, including the provision of sustenance to those experiencing food insecurity, the facilitation of healthcare and educational opportunities, and the restoration of ecological systems. In lieu of the balance-of-terror paradigm, the resolution of disputes would be facilitated through the mechanisms of international law, the establishment of transparent councils, and the implementation of cooperative intervention. In a Deluist world, war machines are superseded by aid systems. §

No More Armies: National military forces are dissolved. §

Global Peace Force: Volunteers from all communities serve in an international peace coalition. §

Redirect Spending: A small fraction of military budgets ends global hunger. §

Abolishing Hatred and Inequality §

Deluism posits the objective of eradicating the material conditions that engender animosity. Marx noted that the exploitation of one nation by another would also be brought to an end once class exploitation was terminated. Deluism's approach to eliminating poverty and competition is indicative of an attempt to address the fundamental causes of national chauvinism. The concept of economic justice, which encompasses the provision of essential amenities such as food, housing, and education, has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in mitigating inter-country resentment, thereby preventing the exploitation of populations by their own nations. The sharing of wealth and knowledge on a global scale serves to eliminate the incentives for racism and imperialism. It is asserted that all individuals are to be treated with dignity and afforded the means to thrive, thereby facilitating the establishment of authentic international friendships. §

End Exploitation: “In proportion as exploitation of one individual by another is ended, that of one nation by another will also end”. §

Global Welfare: Equitable distribution of resources to all peoples. §

Education & Culture: Promote empathy and global citizenship to erase prejudices. §

A Compassionate Global Future §

It is to be posited herewith that a planet wherein empathy and cooperation are the defining characteristics of crisis response and achievement is a conceivable scenario. In the event of a disaster or epidemic in a given region, communities worldwide mobilise immediately to provide assistance. Advancements in the medical field, clean energy technologies, and scientific discoveries are disseminated freely for the benefit of all humanity. Collaborations are undertaken on grand projects, ranging from the curative to the exploratory, with a shared sense of purpose. In the Deluist horizon, the rise of an empire is not a feature of the scenario. Instead, the concept of universal empowerment of the populace as collaborators is a key element. The objective of the present revolution is not the establishment of a ruling regime, but rather the unification of the global community in a shared objective. The primary objective of Deluism is the conquest of human suffering and ignorance, with the ultimate aim of ensuring universal freedom and prosperity. §