As the tectonic plates of International political arena are shifting, the global structure is entering into an alarming shell. The revival of populism, realignment of global alliances, revival of old power blocks and changing dynamics of regional politics have brought the modern sophisticated world on the verge of another devastating camping. From the catastrophic images of Middle East, to the European turmoil, the reincarnation of Fascism, the revival of giant Russia, the reinforcement of ultra-nationalistic Hindutva in India, the flaming atmosphere of Africa, the resurgence of Taliban in Afghanistan and China’s race to World supremacy, henceforth, every corner of the world seems under fire. Additionally, the impotency of United Nations, failure of liberal and cooperative model and delinquency of political globalization had rewind the global arena to the days of early 19th Century, where nationalism, militarism, power race, and global anarchy led the world to experience the most tragic episodes of its existence. The bubbles of cultural and political integration have busted and the myths of cosmopolitan have exploded, thus terminating the honeymoon period of economic liberalism, globalization and universalism. All these trends endorse the Machiavellian understanding of global politics and accordingly signal the revival of theories of Realism, bellicose nationalism, Mercantilism, and Economic Protectionism.
As west has always been the center of global politics, therefore, its political and strategic culture has always spilled over to the rest of the world. Therefore, an overview of the contemporary political arena of West is significant to gauge the status of this imminent threat.
The revival of Populism in Europe, where the far right groups with racist, sexiest and fascist slogans have recorded historic support. From France to German, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, and to Britain, the populist have recorded significant success. In France, far-right National Front led by Marine Le Pen is being considered as the top contender in upcoming April-May Presidential election. Likewise, in Netherland, Geert Wilders anti-Islamic and anti-immigrant Party for Freedom is on rise and being considered to be set for winning largest number of votes in upcoming Dutch elections in March 15th, 2017. Similarly populist trends are being reported in Italy, Germany, Austria and Britain, where the Brexit led Britain to separates its ways from integrated Europe Union. Once famous for its economic, political and social integration, EU is now facing grave existential crisis as said by Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of European commission. All these populist groups echoed similar ultra-nationalistic goals in a recent conference, organized by German far right party ADf- Alternative for Germany- in German city, Koblenz, and accused European Union as a source of sterilisation. Furthermore, theyanticipated 2017, being the year of “the people… the year of liberation, the year of the patriotic spring”. History has proved, whenever, Patriotism and Nationalism has risen in Europe, it has caused worldwide disasters.
Meanwhile, Trump’s win in US, further echoes the resurgence of bellicose nationalism and racism. With Trump being in office, an imminent threat of protectionism in economics, resurgent of nativism, xenophobia in politics and isolationism in foreign policy further jeopardize the unity and peace within West. His “Make America Great again” slogan is a true depiction of his nationalistic attitude. Soon after assuming the Presidential charges, in his first executive orders, he withdrew US from Trans Pacific Partnership (a multilateral trade agreement) signaling a more isolationist US in near future. Additionally, he has ordered for immediate construction of a border wall with Mexico, and called for a strengthen force to sweep up illegal immigrants particularly those with Muslim origin. His immediate actions have proved that he is up to materialise his rhetoric in election campaigns.
In many ways Trump’s election slogans and rhetoric resembles Hitler’s election campaign of early 1930s. Particularly, Trump’s anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant polices, proposals of mass deportation, issuance of special IDs cards for Muslims, and fascists’ orientation resembles Hitler’s, anti-Jewish, anti-immigrant, and fascists polices. Even the similarity of slogans — Trump’s — Make America Great Again and Hitler’s — Make Germany Great again — have much similarity. However, it’s early to predict his foreign policy attitude but his isolationist posture in election campaigns and particularly his polices against China are alarming. Trump’s telephonic call to Taiwani leader alarmed China, which considered the call a violation of one China Policy, and a clear breach of its sovereignty. Moreover, Trump has also sour relations with Europe, as he has repeatedly considered NATO as “obsolete” and criticized Alliance members that don’t pay their share of Europe’s defense costs. However, on a positive note, the billionaire turned president has indicated a friendly heart toward the cold war rival, Russia.
His policy of militarism are also alarming and can have profound impact on global politics, in one of his tweets he wrote; United States should greatly “expand its nuclear capability,” Such open endorsement of arm race would further encourage States to gear up their military strength thus resulting into militarism.
To conclude, the main causes which staged the catastrophic World War-I and II were, Nationalism, Militarism, fascist leadership and global anarchy. Likewise, the recent wave of Populism particularly in West, the military advancement of 21st Century where States are indulged in production of more deadly weapons, the impotency of UN causing global anarchy have collectively jeopardized the global peace. Thus, a Western turmoil would led to a global turmoil, therefore, given these bleak and gloomy picture the coming years ahead may determine whether the West can overcome its current troubles.
The writer is graduate of International Relations from National Defense University Islamabad