|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe And Asia
Europe, which forms the second integral part of this study on the emerging international order that we are likely to see in the first few decades of the new millennium, does not seem to unfortunately radiate a similar hope and resurgence as Asia. Many already see a growing economic decline in its fortunes in the years ahead with falling living standards of its populace and social disorder and turbulence following in its wake. Edited by a former Army Chief and an analyst of international relations, the study examines the political linkages between Europe and Asia, the role of the United Nations and NATO in the post Cold War period in a unipolar world, globalisation, terrorism, Islam and a host of other wide-ranging complex issues, in the singular context of the two widely different civilisational and socially structured continents. Have the editors packed in too many subjects in one book about two large land masses, the social, economic and political fabric and outlook of which stands divergent to each other, is a question that many may well ask. In a departure from most books, this collection is clubbed together, with authors attempting to provide what is termed as an Asian, European, Indian and Chinese perspectives. Natwar Singh, the previous Minister for External Affairs, opines: "Nehru saw a constructive and decisive possibility of Asia lending its legitimate weight in world politics in favour of peace and stability." Events, of course, have shown that both Nehru and Natwar Singh were reading Asia upside down, because there is no other continent as volatile and trouble afflicted as Asia today. Ashwini Ray highlights the demise of all opposition to the capitalist ideology after the fall of the Soviet Union. Earhard Crome, in clear and precise terms and in as few words as possible, speaks of the stranglehold of politics and economy on each other. Gurmeet Kanwal is bang on with his theory of "ethnic nationalism" threatening regional security the world over. Rong Ying, giving the Chinese perspective, opines: "There is no such thing as absolute security in today’s world, nor can intervention, whatever be the excuse, ensure security for the country or the region concerned." Wonder what would be his views about the Chinese invasion of India in 1962, and whether this act did not set off a century ahead of adverse relations between the two countries. Raman points to the assistance of the Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand Lne in getting Hamid Karzai recently elected in Afghanistan, John Neelsen on gobalisation says: "World market, world governments, these two do not go together." Nasser Saghafi-Ameri cautions about the "Great Game" now being played out around the oil and gas-rich strategic rim of the Caspian Sea. This book raises the question of examining a plethora of substantive issues concerning dozens and dozens of countries that lie within Asia and Europe, and how cohesive and easy to comprehend would the final narrative be for the average reader. Maps and sketches of the area would have helped, as many would not be aware of the geographical location of some of the areas that have been discussed. |
BY 2020 or so, most
strategic and economic experts are of one view, the United States, China
and India would occupy the first three slots in economic well being and
prosperity. Leaving aside the US, which will continue to rank as the
number 1 superpower, the other two countries lie in Asia.