world-federalism

The chapter explores the role of citizen diplomacy in easing Cold War tensions through personal and cultural exchanges, exemplified by Sharon Tennison's interactions with Soviets and the maintenance of dialogue during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It highlights Norman Cousins's pioneering efforts in back-channel communication via the Dartmouth conferences and his advocacy for world federalism as a solution to nuclear threats. Cousins's personal journey of healing through laughter and positive mental states underscores the interconnectedness of mind-body healing and global hope for peace.

The chapter details Norman Cousins's critique of Cold War tensions and McCarthyism, advocating for a supranational authority to prevent war and emphasizing citizen responsibility in peace efforts. Acting as a private citizen with unofficial government backing, Cousins initiated candid dialogues with the Soviet Peace Committee, leading to the Dartmouth conference in 1960 where Americans and Soviets overcame ideological estrangement to engage in non-political discussions on peace and arms control. This citizen diplomacy fostered a human relations breakthrough, improving the tone of Soviet-American interactions and marking a shift from suspicion to serious dialogue, despite ongoing challenges in establishing enforceable legal frameworks.