Walter,

>Amen... I hope for that too, but I very much doubt that. For the world to progress we seem to need War, empires vs the suppressed and poor. It is a way of evolution whether we like it or not.
>Again, I cannot push enough to read the book "The rise and fall of great empires". It really explains how humanity has progressed through struggle and victory. HOw to break that, I don't know. The hunger for power and money is to big to avoid that: it is our nature.

I think you are wrong. The political systems in place in the time of empires are gone. The hunger for power and money is still there but the political systems to allow an entire nation to devote itself to conquest and plunder are gone. Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I really think we've grown past that. Sure, there are still countries ruled by a few - such as China or Cuba - but this will also pass.