Relationships of political and economic expediency, hierarchies of power and dominance dominate international relationships. Tensions exist because injustice, imbalance, and unfair advantage are the natural outcome of such relationships. Conflict occurs when players in this game seek to strengthen their positions and undermine others - expansion and gain for one often spells loss, instability, and reduced autonomy for others. There are many types of levers and weapons in this game - economic, policy, trade, military power, media, propaganda, covert acts, ideological sectarianism. The politics of domination pushes at limits to achieve the desired end - a player seeks a particular goal and musters available resources to achieve this end and manage its populations’ perceptions along the way. Everything becomes a resource to be utilized - everything is a commodity or tool to be managed or used. The profound danger is that truth, compassion, justice - religion itself, become distorted, having been manipulated and spun out as simply tools and resources useful for achieving questionable aims, for increasing influence and leverage rather than being foundational principles which shape both aims and methods.
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{ 2 } Comments
Hi Irshad,
I really enjoyed your posting; particularly your posting regarding the predominance of hierarchies in international relations. I am am thinking specifically of trade agreements that dismantle collective blue collar power (i.e. labour unions).
I recently posted a like-minded post that focuses on the depoliticization of contemporary society and our generation. You can read it at:
http://winstoninwonderland.blogspot.com
Hi Rahul,
Your’s was an interesting post - I suppose part of the apathy arises from the complexity of making political change in an age where lobbyists and corporate influence are significant determining factors in policy creation - individuals wonder how they can compete against such behemoth generators of influence. Another aspect is that individual lives are busy, bust, busy - when spare time arises people look for family time or entertainment - not the stress of politics especially in light of their own perceived powerlessness. Grassroots movements that slowly build empowerment and momentum may be more likely to succeed in involving individuals slowly over time.
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