As narrow self-interest trumps attempts to solve the world’s problems, truly
we are living in the worst of times – By Richard Dowden
Posted on
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pts-to-solve-the-worlds-problems-truly-we-are-living-in-the-worst-of-times-b
y-richard-dowden/> November 16, 2014
A few years ago I would have celebrated the end of US global hegemony but it
is hard to be optimistic about the future of democratic values, human rights
and a free market global economy – the formula which America proclaimed as
the future when the Cold War ended in 1989. It seemed for a few years to be
working as dictators were toppled and democracy proclaimed. But far from
liberating nation states, the US and Britain’s attack on Afghanistan and
second invasions of Iraq as well as clumsy interventions in Somalia and
Libya and its uncritical support for Israel have fired up an uncompromising
religious fanaticism that will take decades to pass. 30 years predicts Leon
Panetta, President Obama’s former head of the CIA and Secretary for Defence.
Washington has decided to try to contain these uprisings through the use of
drones but cannot afford to hold ground by putting troops in harm’s way.
This marks the end of US-led western dominance of the world.
At one time the US could not have afforded to withdraw from the world
because of its dependence on Middle East oil. That is no longer the case.
New oil discoveries, on and offshore in just about every African country,
the advent of fracking and other new techniques for extracting oil from rock
and sand, have reduced America’s need for imports. Freed from the need to
placate royal Arab families and oil rich dictators, the US has unleashed,
not – as they hoped – democratic and human values but an interpretation of
Islam which looks like a Muslim version of the “Christian” Conquistadors.
Europe too is also withdrawing into itself. Led economically and
increasingly politically by Germany it has never had a proper defence policy
or a clear vision of its role in the world. The slyly-delivered but deadly
decision to end the Italian naval patrols in the Mediterranean is a crime of
omission. It will result in the deaths of many more refugees from wars or
neglect in the Middle East and in particular Eritrea. Ignored for more than
14 years since the war with Ethiopia, its military-minded president, Issias
Afwerke, has turned it into an armed prison.
After the 1998 – 2000 war an independent inquiry into the border dispute
ruled in favour of Eritrea. But the world ignored this and Eritrea, once one
of the most developed and dynamic parts of Africa, was shut down by Issias.
It has been neglected ever since. Thousands of young Eritreans try to leave
and, exploited by human traffickers, die in the Sinai desert or drown in the
Mediterranean. Shamefully, Britain, which claims a global leadership role,
not only failed to challenge the Italian decision but refuses to support an
alternative. Perhaps the bodies of young dead Eritreans washing up on the
fashionable beaches of Italy, Greece and France will come to haunt that
decision.
Then there is the panic over Ebola. Very infectious and very nasty and can
lead to a disgusting death, but we know how to treat it. It is simply a
question of cost, organisation and speed. There is no reason for anyone to
die if modern medical help is available. But once again black people
travelling from Africa will be subjected to humiliation and fear. Even
within Africa countries without Ebola are shunning citizens from countries
that have experienced it. The Royal African Society website will soon have a
page saying how each country is responding to the outbreak.
Britain has agreed to take responsibility for Sierra Leone, its former
colony. France has done likewise for Guinea and the US for its former
colony, Liberia. That at least is a step forward for America. When Liberia
tore itself apart in the 1990s Washington ignored it. Today’s panicky
reaction in America itself shows how ignorance is as prevalent there as it
is in Liberia itself.
The response from China has been far more rational, well-informed and
generous. Beijing has promised more than £22.2 Million and sent 200 medical
workers to the affected counties. But the UN agencies have been slow and
sufficient funding has not been forthcoming. The next couple of weeks will
be crucial. If it takes off again in West Africa and kills millions I wonder
how the rest of the world, in its fearful mood, will react.
Elsewhere, global capitalism which has been allowed to flourish unfettered
for the past 25 years, has opened up the gaps between rich and poor and
created apparent wealth. I say apparent because since the 2008 crash the
markets have been jittery and irrational, capable of wiping out billions of
dollars’ worth of “value” in the blink of an eye. Reason is giving way to
emotion.
Two banks, Bank of Thailand and Standard Chartered, have even changed their
“Business Confidence Index” to a “Business Sentiment Index”. Confidence is
based on reason and fact. Sentiment equals sensation, feeling, emotion not
rationality. Of course wealth is only wealth because thinking it makes it
so, but it has to be thought so by all, backed with rational, explicable
facts not algebraic formulas that acquire mystical properties – or
sentiment. We need a wise market not a whim market.
The lack of common global feeling emerged on the 100th anniversary of the
outbreak of the First World War, surely a moment when European countries
could put aside their tribal loyalties and together commemorate that
catastrophe. But no, it was commemorated separately. We – or at least our
leaders – are still in our trenches. Even Christian leaders who surely
should be standing up for common humanity, took part in these nationalist
ceremonies – even led them. Nowhere did I hear in the UK’s ceremonies any
mention of Austria’s dead, Germany’s dead, Russia’s dead, even France’s dead
as well as the estimated 100,000 Africans who died. It is as if only Britain
had suffered. More than 700,000 Britons died. Terrible, but a small
proportion of the appalling total, 37 million.
After so-called tribal wars in Africa end Europeans urge them to reconcile
and hold joint commemorations but when the tribes of Europe commemorate they
do so on their own, still as tribes.
Who are the big players who can lead the world? Nelson Mandela’s generous
and visionary leadership is still revered but never imitated these days.
Neither Russia nor China seems able to produce a leader that is popular at
home and big enough to lead on the world stage. Russia has become paranoid
and aggressive under Putin. China’s economic success is giving it an
enhanced global role but, being undemocratic and controlled by a tiny elite,
it is unable to become a global role model or leader. Its aging –
disproportionately male –population will also hobble its economic dynamic
and create instability.
Britain can never be anything but an influencer and the provider of token
military forces but its government is looking more and more insular and
fearful, mimicking UKIP, the United Kingdom Independence Party, and
terrified of the right-wing press which loves to spread fear of the foreign
with panicky headlines. Britain can only flourish if it is part of Europe
and acts as a global player, open to people, trade and ideas with the rest
of the world.
In the US Obama is now hobbled by Congress. A journalist friend of mine who
interviewed him recently said it was like interviewing a brilliant professor
rather than a world leader. He was on top of every issue and gave
well-informed intelligent analyses. But when asked what exactly he was going
to do, Obama’s answers became vague and unfocussed. He saw the problems,
knew what needed doing but could do nothing beyond protecting narrow US
interests.
A frightened America – largely ignorant of the positive role it could play
in the rest of the world – is feeding its fears on myths and fantasies
peddled by a cynical sensationalist media. Just look at its primitive,
ignorant reactions to Ebola and its ridiculous treatment of people coming
from Africa. Yes the world is complicated these days but America must not
feed on crass simplifications or turn in on itself. Americans should recall
the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt: “the only thing we have to
fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which
paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
Richard Dowden is Director of the Royal African Society and author of
Africa; altered states, ordinary miracles. Follow Richard on
twitter_at_DowdenAfrica
Received on Sun Nov 16 2014 - 05:21:26 EST