Many recent newspaper articles and media comments on the tragic events in New York and Washington, D.C. have stated that we are now engaged in world war, that we might even be on the verge of World War III. Such a concept of war implies a defined opponent and territory, an enemy and a target. I believe, however, we understand better our circumstances if, rather than thinking of world war, we think of global war.
War can now be waged from any place, at any time, by any means, by anyone. Likewise, instant information and communication and standardized production can occur virtually and instantly anywhere. The phenomenon of globalization has brought about the exchange of products and services around the globe. Yet a searing lament in the message of this exchange has been its glaring inequality. The tensions of imbalance have been producing tragedies in regions of the world for some time.
Protection and the waging of peace will come only as we consciously, resolutely and steadily achieve a reduction of the tensions of inequality through a balancing of the goods of the world for all the peoples and cultures of the world.
Edward A. RiedingerProfessor and Collection Head Latin American Library Collection
