the international order is under question. .. shifts in weight have already occurred. a reshuffling will inevitably follow on the surface.
so.. are the experts ready to deliver with a coherent framework of comprehension ????????
um.
political science looks at the state structure and has developed sophistication since early times ( e.g. plato’s republic) kinda like economics/business.
however, the theory of international relations. or the structure of the various states in relation to each other is still not developed nor is popular consciousness particularly sophisticated in this regard. . last century saw two horrific wars made possible by ignorance of internationalism. and quite frankly bigotry is still rife.
the 1914 -18 slaughter was horrific.
the league of nations was formed to introduce reason into the question of state to state interaction.
with the re-establishment of reactionary forces in the interwar period, the carnage was resumed. a second attempt was formulated with the united nations.
state relations were to be regulated scientifically with debate in the open.. there was to be no more cloak-and-dagger balance-of-power politics. the brutality of the wars produced a new order.
the 2 superpowers developed basically in peaceful competition to the point of racing each other to the moon. mmm. (40 years ago to the day) --it was good.
the undercurrent was the nuclear issue and human rights in both superpowers (and their clients.. kgb cia etc) and in the developing power of the peoples republic of china.
the point of all this preamble is to place the current instability in perspective.
the un no longer has credibility. the idealists have been long sold out. but there is no reason why a new model cannot be developed.
human nature changes but not fast. evolution happens gradually. occidental people exposed to the wars gained the experience of the violence that happens when modern brutal state power is unleashed. …. the chinese and russians on the other hand have developed more sensitivity to the factor of brutal state violence inwardly focussed. this seems to be another major consequence of the cold war.
these are intensely volatile issues just beneath the surface... among all parties.
we basically know what is in everyone’s hand, but the question is how the current round is played out.
the bull is obvious enough. it is regression into chaos/brutality. it is breathing down the necks of the players. like the chill of the weapons of the cold war.
what is obvious is that the planet needs to get rid of the bull, the cowboys and the less than zero-sum poker game altogether and begin with a new order.
there needs to be a real forum to act as a clearing house for international relations. true.. it needs institutions.. for the orderly benefit of all groups.
there is every reason to be optimistic that a peaceful and positive order may arise to take the place of the corrupt, distorted structure we now have. a new united nations.. a new financial system. new ideology of international relations entering into the peoples’ consciousness.
it is the idealists (optimists) who will win the day.
so.. yes …there is a coherent framework. it is just waiting to emerge.
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