{World Government [continued]}[5th May 1972]

[Redbook1:234-235][19720505:1803e]{World Government [continued]}[5th May 1972]

Friday 5th May 1972

6.03

(197205051803)

[continued]

            Looking to a future world government, the choice of capital might be important psychologically – however minor its real functions.  No one if possible must feel too cut off from the capital – i.e. it should be on the Sea, and not cut off (if possible) from any one continent by another continent, and it should have a hinterland.

            From this point of view the following possible areas suggest themselves: Central America and Islands, the Indonesian Islands area, ... and that’s about it really, with the former much better placed.  However ... both have certain disadvantages, including present political instability and intemperate (ie disease-bearing) climate.

            Naturally ... I think the best place of all would be in (or rather off) – Europe: as the pivot of the Afro-Asian land-mass and only across the sea from the Americas (populated largely by Europeans) it has historical connections with most of the world and a temperate climate (in places!)  It is also generally stable in that one can see disturbance from a long way before one reaches it.

            Instinctively, I favour the British Isles.  I think islands are a good place for World capitals – for obvious reasons.  London presents attractions – sophisticated city, has been World capital once before (in a sense), now ?too big for its function, on the Meridian line – but it also has disadvantages: busy already, not too beautiful, unpleasant memories for some, and bloody awful weather.

            (NB There is also a case for Brittany, Cape Finisterre, or a Mediterranean island such as Sicily/Corsica/Greek Isles – but see above.  Leaving that aside:)

            Two sites in the British Isles seem reasonable choices, if London is ruled out: first, the south-westerly peninsula of Cornwall (ie as far south as possible and not – one hopes – too developed by then).  (The south-east of England is probably too full to be a sensible site – unless built out over the sea e.g. on stilts?  SuperCity!)

            The other possibility is in southern Eire – an undeveloped Country (for how long?), reasonably stable (?), politically ‘uncommitted’, a large island of a larger continent, but more rain and cold than Cornwall.

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