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In acting on behalf of its citizens, civil authority must guard the rights of minorities, give equal protection of the law to all men, and impartially provide such essential services as education and public health. It cannot unjustly prevent man's effort to better his lot in life: "State activity in the economic field, no matter what its breadth or depth may be, ought not to be exercised in such a way as to curtail an individual's freedom of personal initiative." There is no single "most suitable form of government," but natural law requires of any political system "that government officials be chosen in conformity with constitutional procedures and perform their specific functions within the limits of the law."
∙ BETWEEN STATE AND STATE. The same moral law that governs the relations of men also covers the diplomatic dealings of nations, which should be based on truth and justice. Citizens acting for governments cannot set aside their "personal dignity," nor "the very law of their being, which is the moral law." Nations therefore must eliminate "every trace of racism," drop all colonial ambitions, protect ethnic minorities and political refugees. Rich nations have the obligation to assist the poor; all nations should resolve their disputes by negotiation rather than war. Since "people live in constant fear lest the storm that every moment threatens should break upon them." world leaders must above all come to grips with the question of disarmament. "Justice, right reason and humanity urgently demand that the arms race should cease. That the stockpiles which exist in various countries should be reduced equally and simultaneously. That nuclear weapons should be banned."
∙ BETWEEN STATES AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY: The 20th century's extraordinary progress in science and technology has made one family of the world: national economies are interdependent, and the peace and security of one country necessarily depend upon the peace and security of all countries. In this new age, new political instruments may be needed, particularly "a public authority having worldwide power and endowed with the proper means for the efficacious pursuit of the universal common good in concrete form." This world government—which should not replace or limit the autonomy of existing political units—might well develop from the U.N. "It is our earnest wish that the United Nations Organization may become ever more equal to the magnitude and nobility of its tasks, and that the day may come when every human being will find therein an effective safeguard for the rights which derive directly from his dignity as a person."