WARFARE OR WELFARE
The worlds of humans (world systems) have always been prone to dynamic changes throughout the eons, both from within and without. At times these desired/undesired changes bring about unintended consequences, reaffirming the inherent fallibility of all human designs. Up to now and unlike various other preoccupations, social survival, (curtailed or not) has remained the non-negotiable core of collective human existence. Recently however, may be due to our ‘success’ or ‘over achievement’ in the manipulation of the natural world, collective humanity has been seriously flirting with its deadly artifacts that have the potential to undermine the very survival of, not only the human creature, but also all higher life forms. Amongst such major concerns that relentlessly deliver the anxious souls many a sleepless night, modern wars remain at the apex of it all! Unlike before, almost all human societies currently find themselves in an environment of colossal complexities. Layer upon layer of sophistication has necessitated a highly regimented and inhumanly efficient social organization that has visibly become the Achilles heel of genuinely humane civilizational pursuits! In our complex world where the slightest disturbance can trigger systemic collapse, a new profound approach to problem solving becomes paramount. At the end of the day, in our essence, we are feeble and fallible creatures, certainly not omnipotent ones, (as it circuitously claimed and proclaimed by the power that be) hence cannot always be expected to do the right things at the right time. In other words, since we cannot know, a priori, what will work and what won’t or even what we actually want and don’t, it is imperative that we start interrogating basic assumptions we have been quietly sleeping with! Be that as it may, we have now entered a realm of existence where our so-called achievements are causing immense harm to ourselves as well as outerselves. Given such truism organized societies (states), which are currently run by the few and for the few, keep on concocting unsustainable scenarios that are not in tune with the natural/inherent capabilities of our species. These issues need the attention of grown ups inclined to sober analysis.
The current preoccupation with the whole gamut of organized violence (mind you all such activities in times of relative peace), which is now considered a normal activity of ‘civilized society’, (instead of a sordid reminder of sickly pretensions of wars by entrenched interests) must be seriously reexamined! The sheeple ever on the run to secure its forage (from its dictatorial masters) have been sufficiently subdued from questioning such blatant anti-life activities. The sheeple reckons; its dependence or even hunger for temporal wage employment (and useless consumption) will save it from the impending destruction, not only via warfare. Such assumptions are particularly pernicious where the pretension of knowledge is deeply embedded, as in the advanced industrialized societies of the North. One wonders; is it warfare or welfare the Northern sheeple fixated on?
When it comes to participatory (direct democracy) political governance, which can ameliorate or pacify, at least in principle, the prevailing overwhelming belligerence of the powerful status quo, the situation is depressingly bad. For instance, the election of a large number of politicians (from the reigning plutocracy in the West) is predicated on the promise of bringing or expanding aspects of the killing industry (so-called defense industry) and maintaining the interests of the ultimate bosses--the global banks/banksters, in the various formally contestable jurisdictions. The most technologically advanced weapons in the world are made in such controlled localities where the sheeple is made to collaborate/corroborate with the privileges of dominant/entrenched interests, in order to secure its crumbs! Articulation outside of this establishment narrative is considered stupid economic suicide, by our beloved, but hardly thinking or even out rightly unthinking sheeple!
As the global system fails to deliver the promised goods to all and sundry, the sheeple is bound to rise up and demand what cannot be delivered by the status quo, thereby ushering a creeping insurrection that might end up twinkling, amidst inevitable chaos, glimpse or potentialities of liberating tendencies that have been fast receding in the recent years of globalized turbo neoliberalism! We the ‘wretched of the earth’ are better off analyzing unfolding global situations, where black has become white, good has become bad, etc. and vice versa. Obvious defensive postures of the cautious are construed as war cries, while belligerent vassals without much responsibility on their shoulders, are touted as earthly angels. Just look at what is happening in Yemen, Ukraine, etc.!
Rachel Marsden is a columnist, political strategist, and host of independently produced talk-shows in French and English.