By Ananya S Guha
21st century expansionism is perhaps like never before. The polarization of the world, the US Korea conflict, flexing of muscles by China and the constant skirmishes between India and Pakistan, the rise of new race ideologies, religious and Islamic fundamentalism have severed the world into tight holes of petty power and volatility. What does all this lead to? The missile and nuclear threats and ‘ tests ‘ by North Korea have posed a threat to world security, coupled with American retaliation in South China seas. Technology is supposed to unify world vision, thinking and even relationship, but that it is a double edged sword is proved beyond doubt.
Why do countries want to cross borders, and flout expansionist policies? China’s constant incursions into Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and now Bhutan, shows how territorial sovereignty and a ruthless at all cost expansionism is the hallmark of 21st century geopolitics. In a way it is akin to British imperialism in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. But of course in present day contexts, testing of the missile, hydrogen bombs, purchase of the nuclear arsenals for ‘ peaceful ‘ purposes is a feverish rat race. How can purchase of arsenals be for peace? Armament strengthening is a sign of preparedness for war. The more there is talk of disarmament, the more the world is gearing for armament purchase, which is corporate market on the one hand, and flexing muscles on the other. Where can there be the clap trap of peace then? The more money is diverted for purchase of weapons, the more development of a country takes a bashing, especially in underdeveloped economies. Today a country like India has one of the highest percentages of malnourished children, comparable to Saharan Africa, in addition to the ubiquitous poverty.
The exodus of refugees, first from Syria and then from Myanmar, both because of religious fundamentalism and warring with US backed regimes, is another dimension to a world crisis. So refugee problems become secondary, and get lost in the fight with nations. But how has world surveillance got infected with religious fundamentalism, taking the shape of a terror war? Countries like the US must give this answer with bloody histories in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.
Then came the Middle East, to nibble at wealth and oil resources. American imperialism, does not believe in setbacks, even if it means death of civilians, men women and children. The photo of the Syrian boy, washed ashore by the ravaging sea has not yet probed our conscience; world conscience.
In between such frenetic dialogue or even monologue, countries are sanctioning deals, exports and imports to other countries. The nuclear deals are examples of the worst kind of abetting in corporate deals, fueling the world into dangerous divides. This is a new world, with mobile phones and computers carrying out day to day human transactions, with societies like in India striving for a cashless economy, but it is hardly brave. It is only the stamp of muscle power, bullying, threatening which are some of the worst signs of human effeteness.
In the midst of it we are looking towards a new India, a brave one, with new technology, new economy, standardization of taxes, flushing out black money, mitigating terrorist forces. But India too looks at the West for imitative possibilities, a corporate culture and to flash newest technologies, the smart city etc. How brave is she? Can she look at the disparities in the health sector and in education? What are the solutions to unemployment? True the new initiative to train skilled workers in Japan, is a bold initiative but the unorganized sector needs attention and priority in terms of formal skills and perhaps certification. Skills are in terms of many components, including both aspects of technical and non technical. Touches of a new India are coming, but not without rumblings of discontent among tax payers, businesses and the common man who had to bear the brunt of the note ban.
As for a brave India, we are pretty brave in respect of mauling and attacking people who dissent, don’t accept a monolithic faith as a way of life. We are brave too in mauling history but perhaps we have to be more so in facing some consequences of present actions. Our world is now looking towards the world’s greatest super power with unmitigated deference. Fine, but that same country has made or, is at least trying to make more stringent immigration laws, based on what it calls merit, and India will surely be one of the most affected as America attracts some of our best and most hard working people. The best days for us will come when we face the economic situation of the country with guts and find out pragmatic means to solve the crises of poverty and unemployment and their vicious extrapolated cycles.
Emphasis on cleanliness is a must, but what is the reason for the squalor? Rehabilitation for the poor in terms of affordable housing is priority to be done on a war footing and state or zone wise. Bringing some respite to the poor is the bounden duty of the State. No amount of American kowtowing will help in this.