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Perspective
The Fate of Mankind
Is the World Heading Towards
War or Peace?
by TA Ramesh
New Society/ New Nation
During the Cold War period the capitalist America and the communist
Russia had divided the world into two by supporting the countries under
their umbrellas politically, economically and militarily. The countries
that were not lured by the policies of the two Super Powers either
remained neutral or non-aligned. Within a period of 20-30 years the
capitalist countries like France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, etc.
recovered from the terrific devastations of the second World War and
developed technologically, economically, socially, politically, etc. far
beyond all expectations making the notion that the capitalist route
would lead only to gloom a farce!
And the countries like China, North Korea, Cuba, Romania, Albania, and
Czechoslovakia, etc including the Union of Soviet Socialist Russia, the
leader of communism that followed the path of communism retarded much
economically, technologically, socially, politically, etc. except in
military developments to pieces the most cherished aim of building a new
society and a new nation that would be the envy of the world in all
round developments in all respects with the ideal of communism/
socialism! In reality the capitalist countries progressed much, the
communist countries retarded far below any expectation without any
relief or respite and the neutral or non-aligned countries neither
progressed nor retarded much.
The
Cause for the Ascent of Capitalism and the Downfall of Communism of the
World
The champion of Non-Violence, Mahatma Gandhi said that if you aim for a
good end the means you follow to achieve it should also be good; i.e. if
your means is good your end will also be good and so, if your means is
bad your end will also be bad. This is a Universal fact which is
happening everywhere even today. The communist countries that wanted to
achieve a socialistic society in the world embraced dictatorship rule
but failed miserably. On the other hand the capitalist countries that
embraced democracy met with full success!
Iron
Curtain
Behind the iron curtain motivated by the dry slogan that “from each
according to his capacity and to each according to his need” Soviet
Union and other communist countries made their people to do duties
without any liberty or rights for more than half a century and the
workers of the USSR later knowing the lies of the authority pretended to
do work as they were pretended to be paid! As everything was going on in
isolation, exchanges of new ideas were not possible and as a result
developments in technologies were not possible. As religion, literature,
history, culture, etc. were not encouraged except science and technology
and economically productive activities only, free thoughts and creative
activities were not possible and the progress of the society was also
not possible there. As the route they were following was crude,
difficult and obsolete, there was no quality in their workmanship and
products; they could not increase the quantity of their products and the
variety of their products was also very, very less.
Transparency
On the other hand the capitalist countries within a short period met
with success in achieving all round developments in all fields because
of their freedom of thought, expression, openness, creativity,
innovation, incentives and entrepreneurship qualities of the
individuals. Because of openness and transparency of their activities,
free exchanges of ideas in the fields of science and technology were
easily possible among them. Their road to developments in all fields was
naturally easy and free. Working people were encouraged with incentives
and the quantity of the products increased. The creative and the
inventive activities of enterprising individuals were taken care of and
given a free hand to show their best in the fields they were interested.
A variety of new articles, things, etc. were introduced in the open
market and because of wide reception and skilful workmanship of the
employees, the quality of the goods improved very much. As their
ideology is not rigid unlike the socialist countries, new methods were
adopted according to the changing times and efficiency in the work due
to healthy competition and rapid production due to large scale
mechanization everywhere led to quick economic growth in all the Western
countries including Japan, South Korea, etc. in the East. Not only that,
activities in arts and literature also improved and increased due to
freedom of thought and expression which improved social thinking and the
standard of living of the people there.
Historical Changes after 1980
Glasnost and Perestroika
Many changes have occurred in the 80s and 90s. The greatness of history
lies in the hands of great men whose decisions decide about the fate of
mankind. One such historical leader who cannot be forgotten today is
Mikhail Gorbachev of Russia. Mainly due to his policies such as
“glasnost” and “perestroika” many unprecedented changes have taken place
in the world since 1987 onwards.
He wanted Russia also to develop like the capitalist countries in all
respects so that his country could move freely with the countries of the
west as far as trade, tourism, friendship and cultural activities were
concerned. For that the iron curtain had to be removed everywhere. To do
so, as an antidote, he advocated the policy of glasnost or openness for
his government.
Failure of Socialism
Gorbachev felt communism should have been experimented in the village
level rather than in the national or federal level and that was why it
had failed. He was well aware of the bureaucratic jingoism under the
guise of socialism in his country. Because of his statement like
utterances and broad minded attitude he became a critic of economic
machine that alarmed and confused the bureaucracy that controlled the
steering wheel of the Soviet Union. Socialism totally failed because it
nurtured an oppressive and repressive bureaucratic and political
structure. So to change this trend as an antidote, he prescribed his
famous perestroika or restructuring or reform for his country.
Free
Market Economy
Then Gorbachev recommended free market oriented economy as the best
solution to rectify the worst condition of his country’s economy. The
economic remedies he prescribed were 1. encouragement of privatization
instead of nationalization, 2. allowing freedom and rights to his
country men and 3. democratization of his government as in the west
instead of dictatorship of the proletariat.
Internal Reforms
Those were Gorbachev’s main internal reforms of Russia. To execute those
reform measures, he felt it was a must to cut defense expenditures to a
great extent. For that he suggested that the best course would be 1.
banning of Arms production, 2. withdrawal of Soviet troops from abroad
and 3. stopping of Cold War with USA once and for all.
Détente and Common European Home
By executing those plans he thought of establishing détente between East
and West in Europe; two objectives needed to create One Europe were
banishing of war from the continent and laying firm foundation for
democracy. Later on his most cherished dream of common European Hone for
Russia he decided to achieve. To effect that he was even prepared to
dismantle Warsaw Pact Treaty Organization and join North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO).
But
What happened Next?
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Russian troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan, East European
countries and other parts of the world.
-
The
then political form of govt. was changed to democratic form of govt.
in Russia.
-
The
summit meeting between USSR and USA was held to stop further Nuclear
Arms Production and a treaty was signed between them for the
reduction of Arms positioned at various strategic points of the
world.
-
To
implement that agreement at stages the installed antiballistic
missiles at the strategic points in Europe and other parts of the
world were dismantled.
-
The
constituent States of Soviet Union such as Lithuania, Latvia,
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Mondovia, Georgia, etc. started for national
independence and once and for all dismantled themselves from the
clutches of the Soviet Union.
European Union
In the world politics Europe has come to the centre stage. Everyone was
eagerly expecting the formation of European Union at that time. As far
as culture, literature, religion and civilization are concerned there is
not much difference between one state and other state in Europe. There
is much cooperation and coordination in all the fields because of their
similarity of attitudes in many matters. The West Europe is economically
and technologically far developed when compared with their counter part,
the East Europe. Slight language differences are there. That is all.
Already the European Council, the European Commission, the European
Parliament, the European Court of Justice and other institutions are
there that are providing necessary checks and balances and due to this
European consciousness has developed to such an extent that Europeans
are ready to forego their national sovereignty or national identity in
the formation of European Union.
In 1990 the unification of West Germany and East Germany into one
Germany after pulling down the Wall of Berlin has increased European
consciousness very much. The member countries of the European Union such
as Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy,
Portugal, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Great Britain met very often
to discuss about the ways and means by which the European Union could be
effectively established.
Common Currency and Defense
Among the West European countries there are tremendous potentialities
for trade, tourism, sports and resorts activities that are boosting
their economy from strength to strength. Due to such activities there
were foreign exchange problems as the currencies differed from one
country to another country. There might also be contraband, smuggling
and drug trafficking activities, subversive and sabotage activities
along the border areas of those countries. To solve those problems and
make West Europe a giant economic power of the West, common currency,
Euro and security force have been introduced under the European Union
and a long cherished dream has been realized since 1999.
Democracy in Russia
The communist regime was pulled down along with the statues of Marx and
Lenin in Russia. The communist hardliners tried to take over the
leadership of the country by kidnapping Gorbachev to keep in darkness as
was done to Kurtchev once. But Gorbachov was rescued by Boris Yeltsin, a
Democratic Party leader, who then became the President of Russia after
the democratic form of govt. with parliament was established there.
Problem of Peace
The problem of international peace still remains to be solved. The
peculiar doubts, suspicion, mistrust and fear of some of the countries
like China, Israel and France make it impossible to bring about peace in
the world even in the future. Because of their particular humiliating
experiences of the past, these countries want to be self-reliant as far
as military is concerned so that they can face any eventuality
independently and safeguard their sovereignty and identity in the world.
Therefore the threat to world peace due to the stock piling of Nuclear
Weapons and terrorism of various bases such as racism, ethnicity,
religious fundamentalism, etc. looms large. Perhaps unless some
statesmen like Gorbachev appear in the countries like Libya, Iran, Iraq,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. the present critical situation cannot be
changed and total peace cannot be achieved in the world.
China
Due to the past humiliating experiences at the hands of Manchuria and
Japan, China wanted to become strong both militarily and economically
and so, started since 1950 onwards to produce Atomic Bombs and enrich
its economy through communist route. It is still a developing country.
But even after the cold war, it is regularly testing Atomic Bombs under
the ground without a stop and this poses a great threat to the
surrounding countries like Mongolia, Taiwan, etc. even though Russia,
Japan and America have normalized their relationships with China.
France
Due to the historical rivalry between France and Britain and the
unforgettably humiliating devastation it had suffered in the hands of
Germany in the Second World War, France wanted to be strong, great and
independent in the world. So, France too started producing Atomic Bombs
without a stop since the Second World War. Even though its economy has
developed now and it has good relationships with Russia, China, Britain,
Germany and other countries independently, France does not want to
become one of the many followers of USA in the international politics
and so, it strengthens its army by modernization process even though the
Cold War has come to an end. After the formation of the European Union
France has become a key player in the affairs of Europe now.
NPT
Towards establishing an enduring peace in the world America is trying to
stop the production of Nuclear Weapons in all the countries. Especially
it is insisting all the developing countries like North Korea, Pakistan,
India, etc. to strictly follow the guide lines of Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty. It wants to bring all the countries within
non-proliferation regime. But India says that if the NPT is to be
genuine, all the countries including the Super Powers or the big five
should destroy and stop production of Nuclear Weapons once and for all
and only when there is an affirmation for this act from all countries,
it will sign the NPT without any hesitation. Otherwise, as the Cold War
has stopped and under the cover of the United Nations as USA is taking a
dominating role in wars against a common enemy like Iraq, etc. there are
a lot of chances for America to become a permanent world police, which
will not be liked by countries like France, India and China.
Pollution
Another threat that affects the existence of mankind is the nuclear
radiation polluting the environment. In 1986 a Russian Nuclear Power
plant at Chernobyl endangered the lives there because of leakage in it
resulted in a very big radiation problem. Before that in 1977 in Small
Island in USA in a Nuclear Power station leakage was rectified before
radiation hazard affected the area there. In many countries all over the
world Nuclear Power stations are built to produce power necessary for
industries and for commercial purposes. Unless such Nuclear Power plants
are not properly safeguarded they would become a big problem threatening
the very existence of the world in the future!
The
Fate of Mankind
Nuclear Weapons in the hands of Terrorists
In one way it seems that the fate of mankind is in the hands of the
Islamic Countries like Libya, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc.,
China, Israel and North Korea. It looks quite grim and horrible if we
imagine a little about what will happen if the Nuclear Weapons are in
the hands of the terrorists, especially with the Islamic Countries,
Israel and North Korea. Certainly it will produce night mare to anyone;
or everyone should be prepared to die if a great Nuclear War breaks out
in the world. Therefore the solution will be that care must be taken to
stop the production of Atomic Bombs or arrest the capability to produce
such arsenals whichever be the country by the united efforts of all the
peace loving countries in the world.
Islamic Brotherhood
Already both for good and bad the feeling of Islamic brotherhood has
united the Muslim countries into one. But their culture, faith and
thoughts are not in accordance with the modern world trend, Eastern
culture and Western civilization. Though other religions of the world
have under gone a lot of changes and made reforms, only Islamic religion
has not met with such changes and made reforms that keep Muslim people
separate from other community peoples everywhere. This trend must be
changed with realization by themselves or otherwise so that they would
avert animosities and enmities among themselves and with others. Instead
because of their dislike towards western culture, especially American
domination, strength and technological advancements they in Iran, Iraq,
etc. raise hot slogans and are even ready to manufacture Islamic Bombs
to fight against their common enemy if possible and the necessity arises
at anytime in the future!
World War III
If the Afghanistan extremists belonging to the Taliban group again take
control of the full country and if a nexus between them and the
neighboring Islamic countries like Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, etc. develops
on the basis of a Holy War for the faith called Jihad as said in Koran
fructifying in the minds of the hard core Islamic fundamentalists, there
is every chance for a Religious War occurring in Africa, Europe and Asia
leading to a Third World War between Muslims, Christians and other
religious people of the world in the near future. This has to be
carefully noted by all the leaders of the world controlling the world
affairs in a peaceful way and checks have to be made on the subversive
activities of the religious perverts now itself so that the Future World
War can be thwarted in the beginning stage itself.
Conversion to Communism against World State
Another danger is if the union among China, North Korea and Cuba
develops on the basis of promoting communism in the world and thereby
they happen to produce Atomic Bombs for that purpose they could use them
in war with neighboring capitalist countries leading to chaos and
unwanted developments on a large scale in the world which will not be in
the interest of the modern thinkers of the World Union or World State
for the future well being of the world people. Therefore this kind of
activity also needs checks now.
Best
Course of Action
The best course of action for solving the problems of the world lies in
the creation of One World so that peace and prosperity can be achieved
for all. For that the States of world where dictatorship rule or
communist form of govt. prevails have to be democratized. To stop the
future wars, the attention of the countries should be diverted towards
solving the greater problems like pollution of environment and
exploitation of natural resources and should be directed towards
eradicating diseases like cancer, diabetes, AIDS and skin and eye
diseases caused by the ultra violet rays of the sun through the Hole in
the atmosphere due to air pollution by industrial smokes, etc. Further
joint programs of Space exploration by USA, Russia, Europe, India,
Japan, etc. can be planned and implemented in an organized way if the
World State is created.
The probable moves for the creation of One World State could then be:
1. the
idea of One Europe should be achieved;
2. next the Russian dream of One European Home can be achieved by
uniting One Europe with Asia; and
3. if such an effort is extended to other countries of the world with
the initiation of USA and UNO, World Union can very well be achieved
soon!
December
3, 2006
Top
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Perspective
The Week of December 3, 2006
India's Security Environment: Turbulent and
Uncertain by Dr. Subhash Kapila
Sensible Security Strategies by Gaurang Bhatt, MD
Nepal: Raising Hopes of Normalcy by Col. Rahul
K. Bhonsle
Lawless and Vibrant: Criminal Union Cabinet
Ministers by V. Sundram
It is Not Women Who Declare War by Mehru Jaffer
Living Among Enemies by J. Ajithkumar
The Fate of Mankind: Is the World Heading
Towards War or Peace? by TA Ramesh
Impact of Globalization on Indian Culture
by V. Sundaram
A Rebel of Innocence by Ashwini Ahuja
Trip to Heaven by Arya Bhushan
When the Sun Sets by Dr. Manasi Dutt
Meenaxi by Dibyendu Ghosal
Rinanubandh by Julia Dutta
A Country Deluged by VK Joshi
Food for Thought by Attreyee Roy Chowdhury
Skiing in Dubai by Rajesh Talwar
That Thing Called Love by Tuhin Sinha
The Witty Side by Melvin Durai
Mothers Feeling Blue by Rasana Atreya
'Silence is Complicity' by Elayne Clift
Dissent through Dance and Drama by
Deepti Priya Mehrotra
Concrete Threat to Goa's Beaches by Lionel
Messias
Imprisoned by Daylight by Swapna Majumdar
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