What does one make of the virtual meeting of the constellation of democracies? The state department, the “think-tankers” and assorted corporate media all combine to persuade us that the world is binary. That this Cold War 2.0 can be arranged like the original one as a contest between the “Free World” against the “Unfree World.” Democracies versus autocracies.
Should the pope be worried?
One prominent absentee is the Holy See. Popes are elected in a closed door process by a conclave of 128 red-gowned cardinals, who represent 1.3 billion Catholics. Some compare this to the Chinese Communist Party but with far better odds. One where 95 million members elect their various leaders, as the end process of consultation, and on behalf of 1.4 billion Chinese.
Incidentally, the Chinese media have reacted to the summit by claiming that, in practical terms, theirs is more democratic than the fake corporate-controlled democracies of the West because theirs involves regular and constant popular participation at various levels. They view the West as a “fire and forget charade” -- voters go to elections every four years with nothing much happening in between.
Well, the point is that if one believes American democracy is better, fine. But why classify the rest of the world? Who asked Washington to play judge? Why even engage in this unnecessary debate?
For now, the Pope should chill. He (always a he) is not alone. Around a hundred countries are not participating. Much of Africa, and most of Asia (in territorial terms ) were not asked. India and Pakistan are logging in though.
So what's really going down?
This is another version of George W Bush 's “Coalition of the willing.” 20 years ago, an American president could menacingly ask: “Are you with us or against us?” In a unipolar world, for self-preservation, many elites answered, “Yes Sir,” while their people seethed.
In the new multi-polar world of today, elites in Africa and Asia are not quaking in their boots. We are back in the 1970s. Inflation. Superpower rivalry. Choices between partners. The world is no longer flying solo. All roads no longer lead to Rome. Foreign Ministers now have something to do. They have to sit with their advisors and prioritize partners and practice balance.
The democracy confab is therefore an attempt to repair America's reputational damage and to cobble together a coalition against Russia and China. Some intellectuals will try and convince all that this is about the defense of common “values.” Well, there is money to be made in writing and speaking against China. Some Australian think-tanks will be happy to wire you an honorarium or set up a sinecure if you are really gung ho. The region's people will have to solve their democratic deficits (of which there are a-plenty) by themselves.
Watching the Bay
The states on the Bay have not downgraded relations with Washington. Trade will continue to flow. Dhaka should not be feeling isolated. Colombo and Bangkok have also been left hanging. And then there is Nay Pyi Taw.
The uninvited group looks like a mini BIMSTEC fraternity. Rather than musing about the “weakness” of the invited states, one could have discerned a new streamlined Bimstec ready to discuss industrial development, regional defense of sea trade routes, free trade agreements, cross border investment, and the Rohingya.
With China invited as a partner along with India, the foreign minister could reiterate that they have better things to do than line up in a ruinous anti-Russia, anti-China alliance. The region needs closer relations between India, Russia, and China. From frenemies to friends. Putin said as much to Modi face to face this week.
While the invited discuss democratic values, millions of Afghans will be cold and hungry this winter. They deserve decades of reparation payments from Western democracies.
50 years ago, President Nixon sent the USS Enterprise up the Bay to scare the Bengali delta. With Russia and India united, the aircraft carrier had to retreat. Will some analysts suggest sending another aircraft carrier, in a “responsibility to protect” the “people of Myanmar?”
Well, for more peace and stability and less genocide, it might be better reigning in Facebook (the Rohingya are suing them for $150 billion). We might wonder why Western “democracies” invade and bomb more than “authoritarian” states these days. Iraq anyone? Hang on. When Robert Clive bled Bengal, wasn't he doing so on behalf of a parliamentary democracy back home?
Farid Erkizia Bakht is a political analyst. @liquid_borders.
Is the Bay of Bengal out in the cold?
What does one make of the virtual meeting of the constellation of democracies? The state department, the “think-tankers” and assorted corporate media all combine to persuade us that the world is binary. That this Cold War 2.0 can be arranged like the original one as a contest between the “Free World” against the “Unfree World.” Democracies versus autocracies.
Should the pope be worried?
One prominent absentee is the Holy See. Popes are elected in a closed door process by a conclave of 128 red-gowned cardinals, who represent 1.3 billion Catholics. Some compare this to the Chinese Communist Party but with far better odds. One where 95 million members elect their various leaders, as the end process of consultation, and on behalf of 1.4 billion Chinese.
Incidentally, the Chinese media have reacted to the summit by claiming that, in practical terms, theirs is more democratic than the fake corporate-controlled democracies of the West because theirs involves regular and constant popular participation at various levels. They view the West as a “fire and forget charade” -- voters go to elections every four years with nothing much happening in between.
Well, the point is that if one believes American democracy is better, fine. But why classify the rest of the world? Who asked Washington to play judge? Why even engage in this unnecessary debate?
For now, the Pope should chill. He (always a he) is not alone. Around a hundred countries are not participating. Much of Africa, and most of Asia (in territorial terms ) were not asked. India and Pakistan are logging in though.
So what's really going down?
This is another version of George W Bush 's “Coalition of the willing.” 20 years ago, an American president could menacingly ask: “Are you with us or against us?” In a unipolar world, for self-preservation, many elites answered, “Yes Sir,” while their people seethed.
In the new multi-polar world of today, elites in Africa and Asia are not quaking in their boots. We are back in the 1970s. Inflation. Superpower rivalry. Choices between partners. The world is no longer flying solo. All roads no longer lead to Rome. Foreign Ministers now have something to do. They have to sit with their advisors and prioritize partners and practice balance.
The democracy confab is therefore an attempt to repair America's reputational damage and to cobble together a coalition against Russia and China. Some intellectuals will try and convince all that this is about the defense of common “values.” Well, there is money to be made in writing and speaking against China. Some Australian think-tanks will be happy to wire you an honorarium or set up a sinecure if you are really gung ho. The region's people will have to solve their democratic deficits (of which there are a-plenty) by themselves.
Watching the Bay
The states on the Bay have not downgraded relations with Washington. Trade will continue to flow. Dhaka should not be feeling isolated. Colombo and Bangkok have also been left hanging. And then there is Nay Pyi Taw.
The uninvited group looks like a mini BIMSTEC fraternity. Rather than musing about the “weakness” of the invited states, one could have discerned a new streamlined Bimstec ready to discuss industrial development, regional defense of sea trade routes, free trade agreements, cross border investment, and the Rohingya.
With China invited as a partner along with India, the foreign minister could reiterate that they have better things to do than line up in a ruinous anti-Russia, anti-China alliance. The region needs closer relations between India, Russia, and China. From frenemies to friends. Putin said as much to Modi face to face this week.
While the invited discuss democratic values, millions of Afghans will be cold and hungry this winter. They deserve decades of reparation payments from Western democracies.
50 years ago, President Nixon sent the USS Enterprise up the Bay to scare the Bengali delta. With Russia and India united, the aircraft carrier had to retreat. Will some analysts suggest sending another aircraft carrier, in a “responsibility to protect” the “people of Myanmar?”
Well, for more peace and stability and less genocide, it might be better reigning in Facebook (the Rohingya are suing them for $150 billion). We might wonder why Western “democracies” invade and bomb more than “authoritarian” states these days. Iraq anyone? Hang on. When Robert Clive bled Bengal, wasn't he doing so on behalf of a parliamentary democracy back home?
Farid Erkizia Bakht is a political analyst. @liquid_borders.