Developing countries often look to major world powers for support rather than to their neighboring nations. This tendency perpetuates infamous "divide and rule" policies under which less powerful countries are kept segregated from each other and dependent on a world power for support. This impedes their economic and social well-being. Why should developing countries remain dependent on world powers rather than being inter-dependent on their neighboring nations?
In his latest book, The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy, Washington Post reporter T. R. Reid offers an insight into a geopolitical revolution in Europe. According to Reid, the European Union (EU) will become a second superpower that sees itself not as the ally of the USA, but as its competitor in creating a new world order. Critics debate whether American supremacy is sustainable. For example, in 2003, the EU had a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of roughly $12.8 trillion, compared to U.S. GDP of $10.9 trillion.
The nations of Europe were willing to set their differences aside to form the European Union. In his book, Reid notes, "At the dawn of the twenty-first century, a geopolitical revolution of historic dimensions is underway across the Atlantic: the unification of Europe. Twenty-five nations have joined together – with another dozen or so on the waiting list – to build a common economy, government, and culture. Europe is a more integrated place today than at any times since the Roman Empire…The result is global economic and political clout that makes the European Union exactly what its leaders want it to be: a second superpower that can stand on equal footing with the United States."
The EU has demonstrated that increased coordination among neighboring nations can be achieved while still preserving their national identities. Unlike the USA, the EU is founded on international treaties among sovereign countries, rather than on a single constitution.
The EU has been successful in preventing armed conflicts and in promoting peace and economic prosperity among its member nations. Yogananda (1893-1952), one of India's greatest spiritual masters, declared, "Wars are bound to go on until the United States of Europe and the United States of Asia are evolved, to prepare the way for the United States of the World, with God guiding all nations."
European countries were willing to give up their individual centuries-old currency to adopt the Euro, the monetary unit that is now a strong currency in the international money markets. This is noteworthy for what that spirit of cooperation means for every facet of Europe, where both governments and citizens are convinced that the rewards of uniting are worth a loss in some sovereignty.
A proposal for the unification of the Indian subcontinent is described in my book, Building a Noble World. The cultural bonds among South Asians, shaped through millennia of history, are much stronger than their superficial religious and ethnic differences. By following the pattern of the EU, the economies of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Myanmar, and other countries that were once an integral part of ancient India could be molded into a formidable “Indus Union.”
Some benefits would be:
1. An “Indus Union” would bring lasting peace to the entire Indian subcontinent by providing the most effective solution to the dispute between Pakistan and India over Kashmir.
2. An “Indus Union” would end the deadly arms race between countries in the region. Imagine how much better the condition of people would be if the money spent on the combined defense budgets—as much as $19.1 billion in 2004—were used to reduce the desperate poverty of the people in the subcontinent.
3. If the "Indus Union" becomes a reality, production could be expected to easily support the current population in the Indian sub-continent. With a combined population of 1.48 billion people (World: 6.6 billion), these neighboring nations together would become the world’s largest consumer market, attracting unprecedented levels of commerce and foreign investment. The introduction of a common currency, say "Indo," will enable people, services, investments, and products to move freely among the participating countries.
An “Indus Union” would have the added strength of its profound spiritual heritage. Spiritual masters of all faiths have enabled the culture of the Indian subcontinent to continue despite centuries of foreign aggression and colonization. Rama Tirtha, a spiritual master and a brilliant mathematician, predicted: “After Japan, China will rise and gain prosperity and strength. After China, the sun of prosperity and learning will again smile at India.”
It is humanism and spirituality—not nationalism or militarism—that can ultimately spread peace and prosperity in the world. Every human being belongs to a single human race. Just as the different organs of a human body help one another in a natural way, so too can we, as members of one global family, share our resources.
In the present context of globalization, political leaders need to act with universal vision—not narrow motives. Regions such as South Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa can gain peace, stability, security, and economic prosperity by following the concept of the EU. The United Nations can facilitate peace in the world by supporting the formation of regional unions of neighboring nations. Once all the regional unions are developed, their representation in the UN could eventually raise the United Nations’ status to that of a “world government.” In his book, Imagine All the People, the Dalai Lama says, “We need a world body where each member’s function is to protect humanity in general, without considering “my nation,” “my continent,” “my religion,” or “my culture” first. The well being of humanity at large would be their main concern, beyond all notions of artificial frontiers.”
[Shiv R. Jhawar, the founder of Noble World Foundation, is the author of the book, Building a Noble World. An Accountant by profession, he is an enrolled agent licensed to practice before the IRS. This article may be reproduced, reprinted or broadcast with the written permission of shiv.nobleworld.org. Website: www.nobleworld.org]
B&R
Good article...
Elizabeth