I absolutely believe in more cooperation across borders. The UN is a bleak representation of what it could be.

But I guess we are all colored by our heritage. I think almost any Norwgian like myself are very skeptical of anything that means giving up sovereignty. Our history is all about waiting for hundreds of years to have our independence back.

At the same time the Scandinvian philosophy of society is very much collectivist. We do believe a lot in working together for common good. At the same time we are fiercely individualistic, whic makes it sound like an oxymoron. I have never been good at articulating this apparent contradiction.

Perhaps it is through the emphasis on solidarity. The belief that you should do something for the good of the group, not because a boss or superior orders you to, but because you have been socialized to value the common good over selfish needs.

I supposed if one could globalize that in some way. Where no country or people dominate others, but that there is a shared global solidarity. A feeling of obligation to work towards the common good of all mankind.

I don't know, maybe that is more of a instilling a mindset, rather than creating formal power structures. I am certainly against the attitude of "Mah rights, mah rights! I can do whatever I want" kind of attitude. We should all be free, and nobody should get to dominate us, but there ought to still be a feeling or obligation to balance your personal needs and wants against the greater good.

If your loss is minor but the gain for the group is bigger, then make that choice. On the other hand if the groups gain is minor but the loss to you is major, the invoke your independence and refuse.

I suppose in a world where we are all more equal and better off than today, this ideal might be easier to achieve.