At the end of the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama proclaimed the end of history- meaning that there is no alternative to liberal democracy. Then came globalization, promising prospects of prosperity through free trade. There was a hope that all extremes in the right and left would embrace liberal values. But recent years have shattered the illusion. Later he wrote a book “Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment,” where he argued that modern identity politics emerged from “the therapeutic culture in which the political center is losing ground” as both the right and the left exploit identity politics to fuel intolerance, and disturb harmony in the society. In societies where divisions are deep-rooted, they become so fragile leading to the breakdown of social norms and civility, particularly after elections.
Identity is becoming one of the most powerful forces in contemporary politics, reshaping geopolitical landscapes across Africa, America, Europe and Asia as never seen before. The United States-the leader of the free world, long seen as melting pot guided by the motto of “E pluribus unum”- out of many one,- a “beacon to the world,” appears to be moving towards a different vision, what David A. Graham calls the “US as a fortress.” According to the Economist, American politics has become increasingly polarized in terms of their racial, religious and ideological makeup.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 introduced a dangerous narrative of various versions of the US against multiple forms of THEM. The 2008 financial crisis compounded the deepening geopolitical fractures triggered by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The outbreak of Covid19 further intensified these crises, bringing global vulnerabilities and deepening divisions. Identity politics emerged poisonous fueling the ethnicization of politics and politicization of ethnicity, as well as the criminalization of politics, the politicization of crime.
The defining mode of conflict in the era ahead, the late United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan declared in 1993, “is the ethnic conflict. It promises to be savage. Get ready for 50 new countries in the world in the next 50 years. Most of them will be born in bloodshed.” New fault lines based on ethnic divides are raising their ugly heads. Civilians are trapped in conflict zones and killed for no reason.
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American politician Leon Panetta says, “we live in an increasingly dangerous and threatening world. There are more flashpoints in today’s global geopolitics than we have seen in decades, presenting a generational challenge,” He adds we are governed either by leadership or by crisis. If leadership is there and willing to take the risks associated with responsibility, we can avoid or certainly contain crises. But if leadership is absent, we will inevitably be governed by crisis.
There is a growing trend these days to base positions on ethnicity, race, sexuality, or religion rather than on broader policy merits and democratic ideals or principles. It is troubling that liberalism has moved from the principle of universal and equal recognition and seems inclined to focus on special recognition for particular groups. This is distinctly evident in results of the 2016 BREXIT referendum in Great Britain to leave the European Union (EU) and elections in the United States of America in 2016 and 2024. Ethnic identity is frequently used as a vehicle for the socio-economic advancement of particular ethnic groups, as the only way to gain power and control over material resources through inclusion/ affirmative actions.
Ethnic fracture bitterly divides countries. It has resurfaced in the form of conflicts sparked and sustained by ancient and incomprehensible hatreds. It is because of ethnic tensions that the world today is witnessing more conflicts today occurring within states than between them. Ethnic conflicts between Hutus and Tutsis, Turks and Kurds, Serbs and Croats among others have tragically taken a heavy toll on countless innocent lives. Political leaders claiming to be nationalists are often seen playing ethnic cards to advance their personal ambitions. This creates an atmosphere of despair and makes the policy self-destructive. The ethnic orientation of politics has been harmful. Ethnically motivated terrorism has claimed the lives of several prominent leaders and individuals who transcended the ethnic divides, and recognized that the internal cohesion is more important to present the united face of the country and earn credibility abroad.
Globalization created both winners and losers. It created inequality, and divided society into a class of rich and poor, haves and have-nots, and widened the gaps between them, inviting a backlash with rising inequality and growing trends of de-globalization unfolding deeply. International organizations are struggling with anti-globalist resentment, and ideas like borderless world, and free trade are under assault. Rising frustration with governments led to the rise of populist leaders who promise security and prosperity. Populism brought to the fore new voices, faces and challenges spreading swiftly with the help of modern media and amplifying existing divisions and putting the long-standing principles to test. The president of the World Economic Forum Borge Brende says, “national interest is now at the core, global interest less so.”
In an increasingly fractured world where civilizational tensions are on the rise, the stage is being set for more confrontation than cooperation. Accommodating diverse views, faiths and interests are weakening. Ruthlessness is rewarded while reason and restraint are perceived as weakness. Charisma overshadows competence and style outshines substance. There is a deadly mix of religions and linguistic majoritarianism, gradually fraying social fabric. In a world growing too diverse, different races, cultures, religion, language and history require different paths to democracy.
All politics is local. In the periphery and remote places, political parties in recent years are inclined to promote ethnic chauvinism, identity politics and promising handouts and caste based quotas in employment and education, instead of focusing on delivering economic results. Even in the most advanced democracy, there is a class playing identity politics as the driving force.
The Asia-Pacific is emerging as the brightest spot if it acts on its strength. Diversity is both a strength and weakness. However, the region appears increasingly fragile and vulnerable to fractures along ethnic issues. The April 22 terrorist attacks on 26 innocent civilians, including a Nepali national, in Pahalgam, Kashmir in India is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It was so disturbing that just five days prior to the incident, on April 17, Pakistan’s army chief gave a provocative statement on the founding of Pakistan, in which he asserted that, “we are different from the Hindus in every possible way.” He went on to describe Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and vowed that the country would “never abandon Kashmiris in their heroic struggle against Indian occupation.”
South Asia has been the worst victim of terrorism and religious division. Terrorism has claimed the lives of political leaders and innocent civilians, casting a long shadow over the region. At the heart of this violence lies a dangerous fusion of religious extremism with politics and governance, often at the cost of democratic values and long-standing norms of tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Terrorism committed by whoever, wherever and for whatever purpose can never be justified under any circumstances. This grim reality is not only regional but increasingly coming close to home. One of the defining challenges of the 21st century is to build a world that is safe for growing diversity. Many analysts warn that we are living in an era of deepening civil conflict with little reason to believe that this alarming trend will disappear in the near future.
As a country rich in diversity, Nepal must be careful about preserving its unique harmony and tolerance within its social structures. There are attempts to disturb this long-standing social fabric and divide Nepali society. In the context of growing diversity, it is imperative for the global community to come together to address the challenges of identity politics and uphold peaceful coexistence.
(Former Ambassador Bhattarai, is currently associated with the Nepal Council of World Affairs)
