Dr. Augustus O. Thomas Quote

“If there are those who think we are to jump immediately into a new world order, actuated by complete understanding and brotherly love, they are doomed to disappointment. If we are ever to approach that time, it will be after patient and persistent effort of long duration. The present international situation of mistrust and fear can only be corrected by a formula of equal status, continuously applied, to every phase of international contacts, until the cobwebs of the old order are brushed out of the minds of the people of all lands.”

~ Dr. Augustus O. Thomas

1927, Address to the World Federation of Education Associations (WFEA) at their Toronto, Canada conference, Reference: International Understanding: Agencies Educating for a New World, 1931

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

Spoken in the finest tradition of Marx and Lenin. Put the frog in the comfortable warm pot and turn up the heat over time. A great recipe for the death of freedom, liberty, law, and morality.

J Carlton, Calgary

"Equal Status" : That very probably means breaking the western economies until we look a little more like the third world. The present political system of spend spend spend will work nicely towards this end.

My Name, Your Town,USA

In my opinion,"the present international situation of mistrust and fear" CAN NOT be corrected by a formula of equal status".International "Equal Status" would not eradicate mistrust and fear between nations.It would just give all nations equal status in addressing international mistrust and fear.I don't see ANY New World Order eradicating the Human Element of Mistrust.Possibly not even Fear either.It's HUMAN to mistrust.Unfortunatly.I agree with the first 2 sentences of the quote and disagree with the rest of it.

Joe, North Caldwell, NJ

Another case of context deficiency. Think about when this was written, folks -- after the War to End All Wars, a worldwide Depression imminent -- the feeling of many was that the countries of the world had to get together and get along if they were to prevent a second World War -- and obviously they failed. As a result, xenophobia still rules, as one can see above. Those of you who are so afraid of the rest of the world need to do some traveling. How about this quote, Mr./Ms. Editor? "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." ~Mark Twain

E Archer, NYC

Yes, "equal status, continuously applied" is vague enough to entreaty support from the poor while in fact establishing a hierarchy of privilege for those ruling elite. We cannot be equal in intelligence or ability, so we must be made equal in status I assume. The only thing equal about all people is that they deserve to be equally left alone to pursue our lives in our own way -- it is called Freedom. What the NWO intends to manage is Power -- there is a fundamental difference as we all have different 'powers' which are to be regulated by those with the most of it. More of the same gloablilst con with the addendum 'resistance is futile.'

Joe, North Caldwell, NJ

Holy cow -- xenophobia does rule, doesn't it?

Logan, Memphis, TN

Ethnocentrism is indeed a problem, especially in America; do not, however, confuse ethnocentrism with principles of freedom. Freedom knows no race and sees no color; freedom is universal. Differing cultures and societies, based on the evolution of their history's philosophy, will, however, interpret freedom differently. What is philosophy but the study of ideas, and what is government but the mechanism that enforces those ideas? Philosophy and government are inseparably connected, whether people wish to admit this or not. Government laws and policies are based on philosophy! Every comment on this blog is nothing more than philosophy, as each person exchanges their beliefs and ideas that are based from their own paradigms. I can appreciate China and its culture, for example, for their beautiful landscapes, majestic splendor, history, art, architecture, and philosophy in contrast to what we find in America. I do not, however, agree with the basis of government China has established, because it violates the freedom of its people, and I would not accept any proposal for Chinese laws to be implemented in the United States. This does not make me ethnocentric! At the same time, I can accept and find rich pleasures in the diversity of the world and its cultures without being ethnocentric in my condemnation of the UN. The ideas (philosophy) and paradigm upon which this country was originally founded are what made it great. If we were to run our government the same as Mexico, we would have the same results as Mexico; if we were to establish the same laws and run our country like Iran, we'd have the same results as Iran. The foundational principles that made this country great are what I find lacking in the major International organizations. If I were a mechanic, who had the best running car in my neighborhood, and I told my neighbor that his car wasn't going to work because it didn't have any gasoline, a battery, or spark plugs, this wouldn't cause any debate. Freedom, just like the car, requires certain components to function properly. Why is it so controversial to stand back for a minute and critique the UN for what it is, and most importantly for what it is NOT? As I have said, I'm not so ignorant as to throw a blanket statement against a one-world government-- if a one world government were built on proven philosophies and ideas that protected liberty and freedom, I would support it completely; I am, however, not so ignorant as to blindly accept the UN and similar international organizations on face value.

Mike, Norwalk

Joe, are you saying if I travel more, I will lose my prejudice and narrow-mindedness concerning compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, governmental larceny with impunity, forced ID/insurance/charity, acts against inalienable rights and my views on tyranny, abuse, and oppression will become more wholesome, charitable, and broader? hmm, I travel a lot and speak more than english. I still detest such tyranny, abuse and oppression. I guess I need to travel even more.

E Archer, NYC

Excellent, Logan. Joe, I do not know how you make the leap from individualism to xenophobia. The respect of my own freedom is not a disrespect for another's freedom. The objection of centralized (and foreign) control is not a fear of strangers, but merely taking a stand for my own responsibilities. Neither my life nor that of collective society demands obedience to another -- get that through your thick noggins. It is not a question of whether your values are of the highest caliber, it is a question of jurisdiction -- you do not have jurisdiction over my life, liberty, and property -- I am responsible for that and I will thank you and your friends to keep your hands off. That should be clear enough. It's got nothing to do with travelling and respecting other cultures -- it has to do with recognizing who is responsible in my life and defending that right. In a UN world, 66.6% majority rules. BTW, how does a country leave the UN? You don't, and according to their charter, subject to sanctions from 'the world.' Better the UN remain an inefficient, bureaucratic, money pit than ever give them the credibility of world power. Afterall, one of their stated goals is the reduction of the world's population to 500 million... now, how do you suppose they will accomplish that? Let's just hope they are not in too much of a hurry!

lucidity, DK

I write this in April 2008-- Wow E Archer! 500 million... interesting number. Because thats the same number on guideline #1 on the Georgia Guidestones... very creepy indeed. "The present international situation of mistrust and fear can only be corrected by a formula of equal status, continuously applied, to every phase of international contacts" - I would interject that the formula he is talking about is direction and misdirection... misdirected fear is dangerous to all parties. The internet is dissolving that boundary and placing blame on those who have always been responsible for war. The ruling class and governments. The NWO truly will be a scary time.

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

It's interesting and refreshing he speaks well of a new world situation and not the usual frightening refrain. The quote is nearly 100 years old and I think the acceptability of equality was a correct notion and the time element was insightful by this individual, but with all said and done I believe we are closer to new world order of order. Socialism is the vision of social abilities to create.

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 10/19/23

Don't be such a dupe, Fred.  Your last thumbs down comment on colonization by Cecil Rhodes is the same thing Augustus Thomas is saying.  You socialists fall for it every time!  Utopian dreams have ALWAYS led to the centralization of power and servitude to the state for the 'common good.'  Wake up, man...

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown E Archer, NYC 10/19/23

Sorry, I disagree Mr Archer, Mr Thomas's message is much more inspirational than Mr Rhodes sick designs. He put a rational reasonable description of what is called the new world order. This is a rare glimpse of the phenomenon. I found that fascinating.

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