Pluralism and Law

AREND SOETEMAN In the past we lived on one earth, but in many different worlds. Different civilisations, in regions far apart, knew about one another (at least from about the 16th century), they competed with one another or tried to dominate the other, they influenced one another, but in many important aspects they were independent from one another. Somewhere in the 20th century, however, this changed. There is no far apart anymore. We have lived through two European wars, which developed into world wars. Modem aeroplanes allow us to travel in only a couple of hours around the world. Instant communication between individuals who have the whole globe in between is a reality. There still exist great differences between different civilisations. But they can ignore one another only at their peril. They deeply influence one another. Today, therefore, we live in one world. Conflicts in the Middle East, in Rwanda and Uganda or in the former Yugoslavia have their impact all over the world. Violations of human rights, no matter where, are increasingly considered to be the concern of all of us. The whims and caprices of some dictator may influence the spending possibilities of the general public far away.