By Barnes Mawrie
The famous song of John Lennon, “Imagine” is perhaps one of the most thought provoking songs ever written. The theme of the song is so prophetic that it deserves to be quoted off and on. In the context of what we are witnessing today where some countries become so ambitious and greedy that they trample upon the rights of weaker nations, nothing could be more relevant to put forward as food for thought. The surge of nationalist feelings be it in China, Russia, US or India and anywhere in the world, is dragging the world to the edge of a nuclear war. Today in the stand- off between China and India, both countries are not budging an inch and this could lead to some dangerous spill out. China for one, is a highly imperialist nation that seeks to grab as much as possible and trying to impinge its power on others. Perhaps what it did in Tibet in 1950, it is trying to do the same in Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. The belligerent attitude of China betrays its spirit of intolerance and contempt for its neighbours.
It is strange that humanity has never learnt hard lessons from history. The German nation under Adolf Hitler, the Italians under Benito Mussolini and the Japanese under Emperor Hirohito, were roused to an exaggerated nationalist sentiment and the consequence was World War II where millions of innocent people lost their lives and untold destruction was wrought upon the world. Today China and India are doing the same and God forbid, a war could be in the offing. Both countries have strong leaders and what could be more dangerous than this. There are two types of nationalisms, namely, inclusive nationalism and exclusive nationalism. Inclusive nationalism or positive nationalism is one that transcends one’s own country or one’s own community. Thus while being loyal to one’s own country, one does not disrespect or violate the integrity of others. Inclusive nationalism is inspired by pure humanism. Exclusive nationalism or negative nationalism on the other hand generates narrow-mindedness and tends to look upon others as hostile to oneself. This is what leads to wars and conflicts. What China and India need today is to foster an inclusive nationalism among their citizens. That is the only formula to a peaceful co-existence between the two nations. Imagine what would happen if the two countries go to war. Everything that they have built up all these past decades will be wiped out in seconds, so where’s the benefit of a war? It is only a display of pride and ambition.
Perhaps John Lennon’s song “Imagine” has a lot to teach the world today. The song says “Imagine there’s no country/ It isn’t hard to do/ Nothing to kill or die for/And no religion too.” Is this not so beautiful a message for the nations of the world who are still hungering for territorial expansion? Considering the fact that wars have always been fought between nations right from the beginning of humanity, it is time to let go the old ideology and stop the old habit. Humanity must begin to live as though there is no country but just one community. Is this possible? One may ask. In my opinion, it is possible to a great extent if not totally. Human beings after all, are capable of the most noble sentiments of love and brotherhood as has been displayed by many great souls in history. The European Union founded by great visionaries like Robert Schuman, Paul-Henri Spaak and Altiero Spinelli, is one typical example of how different countries can come together to form a community. As of now, it is unlikely that any of these countries would go to war against the other. The fact that they are able to form a common Parliament, the EU Parliament which legislates on the basis of common welfare, the use of a common currency and the presence of a schengen visa (which theoretically wipes out territorial demarcations), are ample proofs that when leaders have the goodwill and are motivated by an inclusive nationalism, there is always a possibility.
China, India and Pakistan need to learn a lesson from the EU that instead of bickering with each other, they should try to cooperate more. The greed for more territory in the case of China is a clear sign of human greed that can never be satisfied even if they occupy the whole continent of Asia. In fact, it should be considered a sort of mental derangement. However, the type of solidarity like that of the EU, would not be possible until and unless all the three countries let go of their eccentricity, greed and hypocrisy. First of all, they need to nurture an inclusive nationalism and become more transparent in their relationship. As of now these countries are operating on mutual suspicion more than on anything else. Such a diplomatic relationship is superficial and is like an inflated balloon which one day would burst. What we need to do is just pray and wait so that these leaders would gradually be guided by right reason and wisdom and would never discard the universal value of “brotherhood of man.”