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Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
Our exit from the most violent century was marked by a widespread sigh of relief and celebration. But the hopes of nations and peoples have been belied by the events of the past few years, because the unipolar superpower system, instead of seizing this rare opportunity to lay the foundations for a more humane, just and compassionate future, has raised the flag of a 'New American century' of world domination through the planned control of weapons of mass destruction, energy and other resources, finances, technology, and markets. To globalise their reach, the hegemonic elites have assumed for themselves the divine right to preemptively strike at all nations which they deem likely to challenge their authority, security or economy or otherwise regard as detrimental to their private interests. These policies have inflicted and continue to inflict great human suffering, and rising numbers of deaths. And now with the excuse of the tragic happenings of 9/11 and in the guise of war on terrorism, the mechanism for world subjugation has been set in rapid motion.
The takeover of Iraq under false pretenses has brought about a state of fear and helplessness among nations. Widespread resentment and suspicions of US intentions have also led to the emergence of some powerful movements of dissent involving hundreds of millions of people worldwide, aiming to unveil the unholy alliance behind the aggressive policies of the neo-conservatives within the Anglo-American-Judaic oligarchy. New power centres are forming to challenge the legitimacy of the unipolar system bent on forging and imposing by brutal force the socio-politico-techno-economic parameters for its totalitarian designs.
By its overt and covert policies, the superpower has alerted states in all continents, to the mounting threats to their ways of life and their millennial cultures under the harsh new realities of the world's unipolar system. Moved by a deep sense of insecurity and by growing abhorrence of the violence increasingly propagated by the 'hightech' consumerist civilisation, these states and groups are trying to secure their interests and protect the upcoming generations, by forming compacts within the larger geopolitical, ideological and cultural environment. These perceptions are finding diverse expressions in various parts of the world.
Perhaps the most significant equation is the one taking shape within the eternal geopolitical triangle of India, China and Russia. These powers and cultural systems share certain characteristics and have their own special relationships with other countries in South, Southeast and Central Asia, Europe and America. Gathering about half of the world's population, resources, markets and brainpower, the three countries are gradually building an unchallengeable alliance. According to Western colonial perceptions, they are supposed to be kept apart by fundamental conflicts of interest but precisely because of their historical experiences and under the pressure of the current state of affairs, they are becoming aware of common security needs in the face of forces menacing their cultures and their very existence. Consequently a major self-protective power node is appearing in Asia with a vast potential for economic development and collaboration for regional security.
The adventurism of the unipolar hegemon in Iraq helped crystallise mass dissent in Europe. This popular reaction is transforming the climate of peace, prosperity and security in the old continent and raising new psychological barriers between the Atlantic partners. The harmonious aspects of Western civilisation, which are rooted in Europe, have in the recent decades been overwhelmed by the powerful consumerist culture rushing in from across the Atlantic. This disruptive pressure has catalysed a budding strategic alliance between Russia, Germany and France. These states with the support of some of the other nations of Europe, can form a formidable scientific, technological and industrial union backed by one of the world's largest resource banks, that is the Russian federation and a joint defence system which cannot be ignored by the unipolar system.
These emerging trends harbour an in-built historical, geopolitical and cultural potential, which can be realised through the expanding North-South and East-West corridors for road, rail and air linkages to bring together the energy, technological resources, markets and production facilities of the nations from France to the Pacific coast of China and Russia and from the North of Siberia to the Indian Ocean. All these assets can be pooled, to oppose the arrogance of hegemonism and in the service of peace. Thus, aiming for the welfare of the planet, this alliance could bring about a truly humane global order&$8212;a desirable 'globalisation'&$8212;into being. By reaching out to each other over and above the 'clash of civilisations' instigated by the superpower, the countries of Asia, can help build some new supranational organisations inspired by their age-old spiritual cultures of peace and harmony.
We have to protect not only our resources, but above all, our environment and life support systems. Polluted air, water, a disturbed climate, genetically modified foods, 'mad-cow disease', AIDS, SARS are all poisoned gifts of the greed and lust for power and profit. All these are symptoms of the same malady which is spreading worldwide. The breakdown of the ethical and moral order has contributed to the rise in insecurity and distress. All these processes now need to be re-examined in order to be reversed.
A deeper and wider cooperation between Europe and Asia is becoming a reality. The goal is not only to create new structures of production and trade but also to project new visions for the future and facilitate the eternal search for the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. There can be no exclusiveness in such an endeavour which must take into account and bring together the victims of deprivation and alienation everywhere, without forgetting Africa, Latin America nor even the United States.
The World Affairs quarterly wishes to highlight the prospects for Eurasian convergence. We have asked some important thinkers to provide historical, political and economic perspectives on emerging events that are already impacting the twenty-first century.
J.C. Kapur
New Delhi
September 2003