The 21St Century: Geopolitics, Democracy and Peace

THE 21ST CENTURY This book examines a wide range of issues that are expected to play a dominant role in shaping the 21st century. Delineating key concerns in geopolitics, democracy and peace, it studies the functions and influences of educational institutions, progressive religious and social groups, com- munities, international institutions such as the United Nations and forums promoting interfaith dialogue. The author underscores how the century may be forged by a pluralist ethos: multiple and diverse nation states, centres of power, faiths, cultures, economies and languages. He stresses the need to nurture moral strength and enlightened leadership for a life of compassion, peace and holistic development. Lucid and engaging, this book will interest scholars and researchers of political studies, international relations, public policy, governance and development studies. Balmiki Prasad Singh is former Governor of Sikkim, India. Earlier, he was Culture Secretary and Home Secretary, Government of India; and Executive Director and Ambassador at the World Bank, Washington, DC. He received his education at the Universities of Patna and Oxford, and has been recipient of several awards and fellowships, as also delivered lectures at national and global congregations. He has been Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Asia’s Representative on Ramsar Convention, a founder member of the Development Gateway Foundation (DGF), and Member, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Washington, DC. He has held various honorary academic and governmental assignments as Chancellor, Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath; Chief Editor of book series ‘Perspectives on Economics, Technology and Governance’; President, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology; Chancellor, Sikkim Manipal University; and Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow. He is the author of many books including The Problem of Change: A Study of North-East India (1987); India’s Culture: The State, the Arts and Beyond (1998); and Bahudhā and the Post-9/11 World (2008). ‘[This book] explores the importance of pluralism, science and spirituality, democracy, good governance and ecology . As a distinguished scholar, thinker and public servant the author is well-known for advocating a more harmonious world . Readers will find [this work] stimulating and . inspir[ing].’ His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Laureate ‘A major contribution to understanding the most urgent geopolitical issues of our time. Singh’s creative analysis challenges conventional wisdom and also provides a fascinating roadmap for the global future. Both scholars and general readers will find this a stimulating work full of new perspectives and original insights. Essential reading for those concerned with the human prospect.’ Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka ‘A timely book that attracts our attention to the problems of the 21st century. This bold re-thinking as well as careful new thinking around the unresolved question—how do we live with peace and harmony— charts a road to transformation . [This book] should be on the shelf of everyone hoping to play a role.’ Ela R. Bhatt, Founder, Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and a Gandhian activist ‘Represents a valuable set of insights into the current dilemmas.’ Karan Singh, Member of Parliament, India ‘A much-needed book by an eminent administrator and scholar which suggests a way between the two extremes that threaten our world, fundamentalism and nihilism.’ Sir Mark Tully, author and former Bureau Chief of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) THE 21ST CENTURY Geopolitics, Democracy and Peace Balmiki Prasad Singh First published 2017 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2017 Balmiki Prasad Singh The right of Balmiki Prasad Singh to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN: 978-1-138-28635-1 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-17004-6 (ebk) Typeset in Sabon by Apex CoVantage, LLC In fond remembrance of my wife Karuna. And to our children and grandchildren who I hope shall live and work in a peaceful world. CONTENTS Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama viii Foreword by Ralph Buultjens ix Preface xiii Acknowledgements xvi Prologue 1 1 Building peace: the Bahudha approach 21 2 Interplay of ideas: the Indian story 46 3 Ecological issues in the Himalayan region 76 4 Science, spirituality and ways of living: a plea for integrated education 114 5 Democracy and its consequences 147 6 Good governance: a narrative from democratic India 197 7 The emerging world: challenges and possibilities 250 Epilogue 305 Select bibliography 322 Index 332 vii The Dalai Lama MESSAGE I am happy to know that Balmiki Prasad Singh, a long-standing friend, is bringing out a new book, The 21st Century: Geopolitics, Democracy and Peace , in which he explores the importance of pluralism, science and spirituality, democracy, good governance and ecology today. I admire the dedication with which he shares his thoughts with his readers. As our world in the 21st century becomes ever more interdependent, we need to stop thinking in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’. If we think of others as part of ‘us’, it will put an end to violence as a way of settling disputes. We need to think of the entire world as our family. War is outdated; it brings no benefit, but instead creates suffering, disruption of trade and environmental problems that everyone must bear. When conflict arises we need to engage in dialogue and employ peaceable, non-violent measures to resolve it. Our aim should be to make the 21st century an era of dialogue, peace and collaboration. As a distinguished scholar, thinker and public servant the author is well-known for advocating a more harmonious world, a world in which diversity is celebrated and the other person’s point of view is treated with due respect. I am sure many readers will find what he has to say stimulating and may also be inspired to consider how they may contribute to bringing such a harmonious world about. With my prayers, 28 May 2015 viii FOREWORD To thoughtful observers of world affairs, it is increasingly evident that we live in a world of transition. The international arrangements, the power structures and the generally accepted norms of conduct between nations – a kind of system that emerged after Second World War – is eroding, perhaps even collapsing. This enervation is gradual in some areas and quite dramatic in others. Nonetheless, it is a notable and persistent feature of the recent global landscape and creates an atmo- sphere of uncertainty, doubt and instability. The context Eras of insecurity are not uncommon in history. The years between the French Revolution and the end of the Napoleonic Wars were such a time. The period between the early 1930s and the late 1940s was another – Old certainties and verities, and the safe houses in which they dwell, dissolve. Those who live in these moments feel deracinated; makers of public policy fear endless confusion; the paladins of world order see their ramparts unable to withstand the stresses of obsoles- cence. The simple fact is that, occasionally, circumstances change and the carapace of accommodation, unable to contain these changes, cracks and falls apart. Those who live through it are confused and frightened – and are often unable to accept or recognise that it has happened before. Eventually, by design and conscious creation or by accretion and common consent or from resignation and despair, a new architecture emerges and disorder retreats – some stability governed by new norms and understandings evolves. Right now, the inadequacies of the post–Second World War con- structs are increasingly visible. The physical balance of global political and economic power, long dominated by Western nations and through ix FOREWORD international institutions that they influenced, is shifting. New centres of importance have arisen. Lodged between the old and the new are fresh zones of indetermination – probably temporary but significant in both their strength and disruptive capacity. Also, quite suddenly, dramatic issues – terrorism, climate change, refugees among them – have burst onto the world agenda. The present global system and institutions have not yet been able to elicit effective responses. Furthermore, the speed and intensity with which social media and cyber activities have germinated have created a jungle of disorder, a disorder that is now a critical instrument in diminishing the post–Second World War system and forcing the birth of the current age of transition. It is not only these physical erosions and inadequate

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