THE UTILITY OF NATIONS – NATIONS AS INSTRUMENTS OF HUMAN DELIVERANCE

THE UTILITY OF NATIONS – NATIONS AS INSTRUMENTS OF HUMAN DELIVERANCE

The Construct of Nation is one of the most ‘radical’ scheme of arrangement which Human Beings have devised over time in order to manage the diverse complexity of Human Affairs. The concept of Nation, in the modern sense of term, developed in the 17^th-18^th Century Europe.  However, broadly speaking it is almost as old as the civilization itself.  Of late, various arguments have been put forward for and against the idea of nation, with several opponents claiming that ‘Nation State’ will very soon become redundant as waves of globalization destroy the last sanctuary of ‘Regional Ghettoism’ and pave the way for a single world belonging to a single people. While on the other extreme, there are the Pro ‘Nation’ ists, who swear by the idea of Nation and feel it alone can provide a sense of belonging to the Confused Man and it is this identity which helps maintain order and harmony in the world.

Both of them take extreme positions and their logic lie at the fringes of ‘the crux of reality’. Nations are  a necessity of the Global Human Order.  We need them to survive, thrive and flourish. Nations usually exist on a cultural basis, i.e. it is cultural affinity which brings together a people to forge  a  national identity. The inherent tendency among human beings to exhibit their cultural identity is vented out and put in good place through nation. World needs divisions, so that different governments can divide the management tasks among themselves. Many people associate nation with Adolf Hitler, Mussolini and so on. But they should be reminded that National Movements have also created the Likes of Mahatma Gandhi, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln.

Nations must be a means to an end, not an end in themselves. They are there to serve some purpose. It is humans who make the nation and never the vice verca, this should be clearly kept in mind. The Deliverance of Human Beings is the Essential objective of Nationhood. The protection of citizens from various natural calamities and man made problems and to take out the people from poverty, unemployment and other social crises is the basis of modern welfare state. Nations are not there to compete unhealthily, to wage wars with each other, to crush it’s people in the name of some ‘artificial ideology’ or under ‘some filmsy guise’. They are there to co-operate and co-ordinate the smooth and harmonious march of human civilization.

Nations must share the governance of humanity, of common heritage of our specie to take it to new heights. They must bring out the best in society and enhance man’s productivity. Nations must create an environment where there is flowering of civilization. nations should never be imperialists. They should preserve their sovereignity against irresponsible dictatorial regime led nations. Fair play nations should team up to foil the nefarious designs of rogue states.

A righteous nation is one which believes in global brotherhood. An utopian nation is that where all people live for 100 years, with quality, where there are no accidental deaths man made or natural, where there is internal social harmony and it shares good relations with it’s neighbours.

THE CURRENT SCENARIO

The current scenario is not very encouraging. The UNO – the international body to solve global disputes and promote human brotherhood and integration is disproportionately dominated by the Powerful USA and European lobby. The Security Council- the most potent wing of the UNO is by enlarge  a  White Man’s Club. It is suspected that this bloc very often influences the UNO decisions and actions to suit their vested interests. The Gulf war-II was commanded, it is believed, by the US led UNO to provide US Oil Corporate Houses contracts in the oil rich Iraq.  This is high time this must change. There is need for representation of other continents as well, Brazil from South America, African Union or South Africa must be urgently included in the Security Council as permanent members. It is a circumstantial tragedy of the highest order that India, a sound and responsible democracy, an emerging economy, with a population of over 1.20 billion, i.e. 17% of humanity must be out of Security Council.

SEEMINGLY BRIGHT PROSPECTS AHEAD

Future looks bright. The World will no longer be dominated merely by US. An integrated Europe would rise and rival with US very soon. The Rise of China and India would trigger massive changes as world’s Locus of Control is likely to ship eastwards in next 30-40 years or so. Brazil, Russia and Japan are other big powers/big powers in making. The integration of African Continent under African Union is another landmark process in happening. Some fear the rise of China with anxiety and suspicion. China is a virtual dictatorship and hence the fear.  But it should be kept in mind that China would be neutralized by other nations/blocks. There is also the strong possibility that China would turn democratic sooner rather than later. Thus these nations/blocks would neutralize each other and function like competitive democracy in a multi-party system.

EVOLUTION OF HUMANITY – AN ONGOING PROCESS

The Human Specie may  have evolved thousands of years ago but it’s socio-politico-cultural evolution is happening and will continue to happen. The evils which plague humanity will continue to perplex mankind, in one form or the other. The Institution of Healthy Nationhood cann lessen it. It can be only minimized not eliminated altogether. Let us hope that ‘Better things Happen’ in future and ultimately the spirit of humanity triumphs.

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