As the twilight of the 90s approached, the global communication network we now know as the Internet burgeoned into a tangible reality. While this aspect remained unexplored in the Mobile Suit Gundam series conceived in the early 80s, I posit that the Internet’s existence has, paradoxically, lent a greater degree of realism to the Gundam universe.

The Internet’s revolutionary impact lies in its capacity to homogenize information, a domain previously monopolized by nation-states. Master a lingua franca, and you unlock the ability to engage in discourse with anyone in the world, perceiving your circumstances through an unfiltered lens. In a world where affluent nations exist beyond one’s borders, and the blueprints for such prosperity are within reach, it’s only natural for organizations intent on upending the status quo to organically materialize. This phenomenon can be interpreted as a harbinger of proliferating political tumult.

Concurrently, we must grapple with the emergence of pseudo-charismatic figures. It’s entirely plausible that a generation disenchanted with established religions might uncritically embrace charisma as a novel ideology, setting the stage for radicalization. Counterintuitively, as the volume of information expands, humans tend to selectively consume only that which aligns with their preconceptions. Once entrenched in cognitive tunnels, individuals actively exclude contradictory information to preserve their worldview. The ease with which this occurs is, undoubtedly, familiar to you.

Moreover, there’s a looming concern regarding the widespread dissemination of formerly classified information on weapons of mass destruction.

The 20th century saw information disseminated through geographically confined media such as newspapers and television. With these barriers dismantled, I argue that the conflicts stemming from fundamental discontent will inevitably globalize. This scenario is further complicated by the prospect of immature leaders wielding decisive weapons of mass destruction.

From the Gulf War to ethnic conflicts in Kosovo and East Timor, UN peacekeeping forces have been deployed. However, one can reasonably project that this approach will eventually reach its limits due to command structure inefficiencies and fiscal constraints. At this juncture, the establishment of a permanent global military force may become an inevitability.

When viewed as an organizational body managing the Earth Federation’s World Army, the Gundam universe becomes remarkably cogent. It presents a military entity into which cutting-edge technology and substantial resources are invested, all in service of enforcing world peace. Conceptually, a figure analogous to the UN Secretary-General (which I’ve designated as the “Representative President” in my work) serves as the supreme commander while also adjudicating various Earth Federation agencies.
While nations retain the responsibility of governance, the Earth Federation government exists as a supranational entity overseeing these individual states.

“Holon” – a term encapsulating how disparate body parts, from hair to internal organs, collectively constitute a singular human entity.

I propose the term “Holonism” or Holon philosophy to articulate the Earth Federation’s ideological framework. Nations inherently possess seemingly incompatible elements: ethnicity, language, customs, and religion. However, when interconnected through the lifeblood of information, don’t they transform into a living organism managing the singular entity that is Earth? I posit that the Earth Federation corresponds to the cognitive center in this analogy. Though the stomach and hair serve different functions, they share a common genetic heritage; similarly, nations are interwoven by the circulatory system of information. The Earth Federation will likely crystallize when we conceptualize countries as constituent parts of a common existence, even while maintaining their individual identities.

In this paradigm, one might conceptualize the Federation Forces as the immune system, poised to respond to global anomalies that threaten the collective wellbeing of humanity.

The universe of Mobile Suit Gundam remains a distant horizon. The Earth Federation organization emerged from the spate of ethnic (political) conflicts. The information revolution fostered a more hospitable environment for humanity.

The next challenge looming on the horizon is the unchecked proliferation of humanity itself: population explosion. Earth’s finite fossil fuel reserves prove inadequate to sustain this burgeoning populace, compelling humanity to venture into the cosmic frontier in pursuit of new resources.

While subject to revision as new data emerges, current intelligence suggests that the lunar surface harbors an abundance of natural resources. Though petroleum remains an unrealistic prospect, the moon boasts a wealth of mineral resources. The asteroid belt presents an even more tantalizing opportunity, with raw materials suspended in the void of space. Be it Solomon or Axis, these celestial bodies could be maneuvered into Earth’s proximity, offering unfettered access to their mineral wealth.

Decades following the Federation’s inception, the era of large-scale space exploration dawns. Initially driven by nation-states, space development evolves into a collaborative endeavor as the federation system neutralizes perceived adversaries.

The lunar development takes precedence, establishing a pivotal base. (The moon, serving as the nexus of space development intelligence, is regarded as an elite domain. This context elucidates Anaheim’s presence, the development of mobile armors, and the somewhat supercilious attitude of lunar inhabitants towards their terrestrial counterparts). Subsequently, the construction of the inaugural space colony commences, heralding the advent of the Universal Century with the inception of space colonization.

The Earth Federation likely pivots from its predominantly military focus to overseeing this monumental budgetary undertaking. The intricate management requirements of colonies, whether individual or in clusters, necessitate a comprehensive administrative framework. The “Federation Government” referenced in the narrative presumably formed during this transformative period.

Furthermore, the immense economic potential of Earth’s exportable resources (primarily water as a fuel source?) may have catalyzed a period of complacency within the Earth Federation. This organization, having achieved structural maturity, potentially succumbed to bureaucratic inertia and inefficiency during this era of unprecedented prosperity.

The Universal Century dawns with the advent of full-scale space migration.

The displacement of the Christian-centric Anno Domini calendar from official use may bear profound significance. For terrestrial inhabitants, the natural world has always been an inherent reality, whether attributed to divine creation or revered through nature worship. This fundamental given stands in stark contrast to human artifice. Indeed, the concept of nature deities might well be considered an intrinsic genetic memory for Earth-born humans.

Conversely, for the second generation of space colonists, their entire environment is a testament to human ingenuity. The nebulous concept of a “God” is supplanted by the tangible achievements of “Engineer XX,” whose systems and control methodologies form the backdrop of their existence. This paradigm shift from faith in divinity to veneration of technology represents a seismic ideological divergence, potentially catalyzing the fundamental disconnect between terrestrial populations and space migrants.

The Earth Federation’s terrestrial-centric approach may well be the progenitor of subsequent misunderstandings.

Eventually, this schism finds articulate expression in Zeon Zum Deikun of Side 3. He posits that humanity has evolved into a new species, capable of constructing its foundational existence through knowledge alone, liberated from dependence on nature. From this innovation, he prophesies the emergence of Newtypes—beings unfettered by humanity’s original sin.

Revisiting the “Erin War” mentioned earlier, it’s not an attempt to impose a fictional historical narrative. (It’s worth noting that “Erin” is derived from “Mafty Navue Erin,” the “true prophet” in Hathaway’s Flash.) Rather, it’s a construct predicated on the assumption that the Earth Federation, with its historical legacy as its primary asset, would react with extreme prejudice against radical ideologies, informed by its past traumas.

Having weathered the Erin War—a conflict of World War III proportions—the Federation likely employs a multi-pronged approach to suppress Zeon Zum Deikun’s ideology: imposing punitive tariffs on Side 3, expanding prohibitions, and systematically undermining the organization’s foundations. Zeon’s response is to declare itself a republic, prompting the Federation to bolster its space forces.

Another pivotal figure emerges: Degwin Sodo Zabi, a radical who deems Zeon’s “human innovation” too gradual. Through a series of audacious moves—assassinating Zeon Zum Deikun, redirecting hostility towards the Earth Federation, violating treaties restricting space colony independence, establishing an autonomous technological infrastructure, and centralizing power—he orchestrates the birth of the Principality of Zeon.

An intriguing hypothesis posits that Zeon might have deliberately emulated the structure of old Germany to elevate space migrants to a national echelon, potentially explaining Zeon’s Germanic aesthetic.

Gihren Zabi, as the architect of the militaristic Principality of Zeon, assumes his father Degwin’s mantle, confronting the Federation head-on in pursuit of human innovation (or more precisely, governance by a superior species).

The Earth Federation, unable to countenance further independence, dispatches its fleet. Zeon’s retaliation ignites a conflagration of unprecedented scale: one-third of the human population perishes in a mere week, plunging humanity into the inexorable One Year War.

Zeon initially gains tactical superiority through innovative strategies and weaponry, but overextended supply lines force a strategic retreat, mirroring the trajectory of World War II.

As space-born entities, Zeon demonstrates a callous disregard for Earth’s biosphere, exemplified by the colony drop on Sydney. This act not only reignites the specter of mass annihilation but also wreaks environmental havoc, generating intense hostility and globalizing the One Year War.

In a twist of irony, the war culminates with the emergence of a Newtype, Amuro Ray, from Earth itself.

Large-scale mass drops are perceived as existential threats to Earth. The formation of the Titans following another colony drop (0083) leads to Federation corruption being exposed and denounced by Casval Deikun (Char) in Dakar (Zeta Gundam). Subsequent events, including the Axis conflict (ZZ Gundam) and Casval’s attempt to resurrect Zeon (Char’s Counterattack), render the concept of “human reform” taboo.

The Federation maintains a tenuous peace but experiences internal decay. It struggles against corporate neo-authoritarianism (F91) and ideologically driven state systems (Victory Gundam). The Earth Federation likely atrophies into a mere shell, gradually ceding authority to a space migrant-led integrated government.

One might posit that the Earth Federation’s trajectory was one of violent emergence followed by gradual obsolescence.

Viewed holistically, the Mobile Suit Gundam narrative can be interpreted as humanity’s tumultuous adolescence, striving to break free from its terrestrial origins.

The Earth Federation’s role parallels that of a parent restraining an immature child. Humanity ventures beyond Earth’s protective embrace but ultimately returns (Turn A Gundam), suggesting that despite its flaws, the Federation exhibited a form of mature foresight.

Gundam, occasionally maligned as a tool for oppressing space migrants, might be more accurately viewed as fulfilling a crucial role as an aggressive self-regulatory mechanism when considered within the broader context of human history.

I prefer to interpret Gundam as a warrior engaged in a perpetual, nuanced struggle of profound value.