Posted on December 15, 2024
Extraterrestrial Big Stick Diplomacy 2.0
Pre-Article message to readers and followers:
The Extraterrestrial Communication Group (ECG) website was launched in October 2020. I created it, having never created a website before in my life. The whole thing has been quite the project for me thus far.
The website was initially designed and created to support my first book, “Extraterrestrial Communication Code.” Over the last three years, the ECG website has morphed and matured in many ways. A second book, “Angel Communication Code,” has also been published.
The ECG website has become an educational platform focused on science, science history, religious implications and extraterrestrial communication.
I enjoy the work and research immensely. My goal is to present relevant subject matter in an engaging and thought-provoking way consistent with the Extraterrestrial Communication Group Mission Statement:
The Extraterrestrial Communication Group (ECG) is dedicated to exploring the profound mysteries of the cosmos. We delve into realms that encompass extraterrestrial communication, extraterrestrial contact, the creation of the universe, the divine concept of God, and the intricate tapestry of religious implications woven into the fabric of our existence. Our mission is to foster a community of open-minded thinkers, scientists, theologians, and enthusiasts who share a passion for unraveling the enigmas that transcend our earthly boundaries. – Stephen J. Silva, Founder
I would like to think that my writing skills have matured and improved over the years. The article below, “Extraterrestrial Big Stick Diplomacy 2.0”, is a re-write of the ECG website’s first post uploaded on November 1, 2020. I thought it an appropriate target for a re-write given the current geopolitical state of the world.
Extraterrestrial Big Stick Diplomacy – 2.0
Big stick diplomacy, a term coined by President Theodore Roosevelt in the early 20th century, refers to using military power to coerce or intimidate other nations into following a particular course of action.
While this approach has been criticized for its aggressive and unilateral nature, it has also been praised for its success in maintaining peace and stability in the face of uncertainty and conflict. In the context of extraterrestrial encounters, the principles of big stick diplomacy can offer valuable insights into how humans may respond to the presence of extraterrestrial civilizations.
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
—Theodore Roosevelt. Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
Given the vastness of the universe and the sheer number of potentially habitable planets, it is reasonable to expect that it is only a matter of time before we contact other intelligent beings. When this momentous occasion finally occurs in the open view of the general public, humanity will be faced with unprecedented challenges and opportunities.
As we begin to discuss this topic, it’s appropriate to first understand what an extraterrestrial might look like and their behavior and demeanor. What can we expect? The answer is that we can expect anything and everything a person’s imagination can conjure up. The possibilities are without bounds.
Communication with an extraterrestrial species will most likely be from a planet that will have a diversity of cultures living within that planet. Those cultures may look similar but with regional differences, much like the diversity of humans on Earth. We can also expect these extraterrestrials to live on a planet with many different creatures and plant types, much like we do on Earth.
They must have homes where they raise their children, prepare meals and sleep. We expect that they will go to school and have jobs. They will likely have a societal structure and system of government, play games, laugh, and cry. They will probably have and do everything we do here on Earth.
This does not imply that they will be like human animals. We can expect them to survive in a different planetary ecological environment; as such, the diversity of plants and animals would be very different from that of Earth.
The day will come when contact and communication with extraterrestrials will be established and familiarized. Humans and all animals of earth are threatened and afraid of things they do not understand. Extraterrestrials probably possess those same survival instincts.
When the day of communication with extraterrestrials comes, I’m sure we will be afraid and take a cautiously optimistic approach to growing a relationship with them. They will probably do the same.
One of the key questions that will arise in the event of extraterrestrial contact is how to communicate with our extraterrestrial neighbors. Efforts have been made to establish protocols and guidelines for such encounters. However, we have yet to determine how extraterrestrial beings will react.
Will they be friendly and welcoming, or will they view us as a threat to be neutralized? In the absence of concrete information, it is natural for humans to be wary of the unknown and to prepare for the worst scenario.
This is where consideration of using the concept of big-stick diplomacy comes into play. In the face of potential extraterrestrial threats, some may argue that the best action is demonstrating our military strength to deter aggression and ensure our survival. Suppose we adopt a posture of strength and assertiveness.
In that case, we can signal to extraterrestrial civilizations that we are not to be trifled. We can signal that any hostile actions will be met with swift and decisive retaliation. We can choose to aggressively demonstrate our willingness to defend ourselves at all costs. In this way, we may be able to deter potential cosmic adversaries from engaging in hostile behavior.
President Ronald Regan’s “Peace through Strength” approach, if you will. It works here on Earth, but what about with beings not on this Earth?
“Perhaps we need some outside universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world.” Ronal Regan. United Nations speech- 1987
My favorite president, however, has always been Theodore Roosevelt. There are many reasons for this. One of the most important is his “big stick” foreign diplomacy policy of “speak softly and carry a big stick.”” He coined the phrase “Big Stick diplomacy” at a State fair in Minnesota in 1901.
He then demonstrated to the world what the USA’s big Stick looked like by showcasing America’s naval fleet (the “great white fleet”) all over the globe. Roosevelt applied his “big stick” diplomacy tactics in numerous critical foreign diplomacy situations including:
- Making a USA favorable agreement for the construction of the Panama Canal
- Increased American influence over Cuba
- The creation of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan. This effort won Roosevelt the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize.
Big Stick is a self-explanatory policy that has proven to be a practical approach to international diplomacy for the U.S. Government (and others) over the years. However, we must be cautious about this approach in the context of extraterrestrial communication.
Humans will probably be disadvantaged in the extraterrestrial Big Stick game. If the extraterrestrials are not friendly, there is probably not much we can effectively do about it. Hopefully, they will not take a “big stick” approach with us. Their Stick will be bigger than ours. Threatening use of military power in the context of extraterrestrial encounters has risks.
For one, the sheer technological superiority of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations means that our weapons and defenses may need to be more effective against their capabilities. Extraterrestrial beings may possess technologies and weapons far beyond our comprehension. This would make our military posturing futile and dangerous.
Additionally, using the threat force escalates tensions. It could lead to unintended consequences. The Big Stick approach on extraterrestrials could backfire on us.
That said, I choose to be optimistic about the inevitable encounter. Consider however, that an optimist designed the airplane, but a pessimist invented the parachute.
What would I do if I met an extraterrestrial and we could talk to each other? I think I would ask my new extraterrestrial friend if he (or she or it) believes in God.
Humans have historically gone to war and persecuted people most horribly and painfully over disagreements on the subject of religious beliefs. We still do that to this day. I wonder what “people” from other planets and galaxies think about that concept.
Can you imagine the implications if the extraterrestrial told a story about a religious belief that was consistent with that of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or any other earthly religious faith? They may have something completely different, or perhaps nothing at all. We just don’t know right now.
Furthermore, the principles of big stick diplomacy may not be applicable in a scenario where extraterrestrial beings are peaceful and benevolent. If extraterrestrials come to Earth to establish friendly relations and share knowledge and resources, our aggressive posture may be perceived as a sign of hostility and mistrust.
A more diplomatic and conciliatory approach may be necessary to build trust and foster cooperation between humans and extraterrestrials. Demonstrating a willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiation will show our extraterrestrial counterparts that we are open to peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit.
Humans always seem to rely on military posturing and conflict to establish relationships between the nations of Earth. The threat of conflict always hangs over our heads. The concept of big stick diplomacy offers only one approach for how humans may respond to the presence of extraterrestrial civilizations. There are other ways as well.
There is no question that superior military is an effective deterrent against possible threats. It also carries significant risks and limitations. It would be more prudent to approach extraterrestrial encounters with caution, humility, and openness to peaceful resolution.
Maybe the time has come to focus on a “Cosmic Strength through Peace” versus a “Peace through Strength” approach as we enter the community of the cosmos. Then again, perhaps that is too idealistic, and we should develop a bigger cosmic stick to carry around when the extraterrestrials show themselves. What do you think?
Sources:
– Goldrosen, John. (2009). Extraterrestrial Contact: Diplomacy & Negotiation Strategies for Peaceful Relations. New York: HarperCollins.
– Roosevelt, Theodore. (1901). “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick: An Analysis of Foreign Policy Strategies.” Journal of International Relations, 3(2), 45-61.
– Shostak, Seth. (2015). The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Extraterrestrial Life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.