A Declaration of Interdependence

Commons sense that can sustain us into the future.

In many places across America, families scaled back their 4th of July festivities this year on account of searing heat. The threat of wildfires from unusually dry weather meant that some towns throughout the West cut back on fireworks displays. This should prompt everyone—especially political and business leaders—to think more seriously about the threat of climate disruption. But it’s also an occasion to consider the ways in which the pursuit of happiness in years to come will depend on linking our desire for independence to our need for interdependence. What happens throughout the world will increasingly affect life at home in the United States.

Each 4th of July since 1922, the New York Times has printed the text of the Declaration of Independence— a fitting tribute to the ideals of America’s founders. In that spirit OTC prints here A Declaration of Interdependence drafted by historian Henry Steele Commager, which like Jefferson’s manifesto was adopted in Philadelphia 199 years after the Declaration of Independence by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. It was endorsed by 125 members of Congress the following January.

At that time there was little discussion of the commons, except as a “tragedy”. But this declaration could be seen as one of the founding documents of the movement that’s emerging now to preserve and sustain what belongs to all of us for the benefit of everyone, including future generations. —Jay Walljasper

A DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, 1975

When in the course of history the threat of extinction confronts (hu)mankind, it

is necessary for the people of the United States to declare their

interdependence with the people of all nations and to embrace those

principles and build those institutions which will enable mankind to survive

and civilization to flourish.

Two centuries ago our forefathers brought forth a new nation; now we must

join with others to bring forth a new world order. On this historic occasion

it is proper that the American people should reaffirm those principles on

which the United States of America was founded, acknowledge the new crises

which confront them, accept the new obligations which history imposes upon

them, and set for the causes which impel them to affirm before all peoples

their commitment to a Declaration of Interdependence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men (and women) are

created equal; that the inequalities and injustices which afflict so much of

the human race are the product of history and society, not of God or nature;

that people everywhere are entitled to the blessings of life and liberty,

peace and security (and dignity) and the realization of their full

potential; that they have an inescapable moral obligation to preserve those

rights for posterity; and that to achieve these ends all the peoples and

nations of the globe should acknowledge their interdependence and join

together to dedicate their minds and their hearts to the solution of those

problems which threaten their survival.

Let us then join together to vindicate and realize this great truth that

(hu)mankind is one, and as one will nobly save or irreparably lose the

heritage of thousands of years of civilization. And let us set forth the

principles which should animate and inspire us if our civilization is to

survive.

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