The main issue preventing us from achieving world peace is the conflicting interests of not only nations but also the power groups. Peace is coveted but there are arms manufacturers big-time who have long-term interests to keep their business flourishing. Then again, national interests are at play with the usual age-old theme, your enemy is my friend to hold-back others from progress & peace! Stoking the fires of dissent in other countries is also made a strategy. No wonder, we are far from peaceful lives; covering the entire gamut from personal to countries. But the whole world is wasting time without attacking the basic flaw of setting the fundamentals right!
No amount of talks can lead us anywhere when basic mistrust is not addressed. Why cannot the major powers come clean with their agenda, their fears, basic interests so that a common ground can be thrashed out to begin the process of peace? What use when the basic issues are avoided, treating only the symtoms but not the disease? The Arab- Israeli issue is in the limelight forever because of intransigence of the key players. What a waste of time & resources when we are still stuck in the block-hole of mistrust & hatred?
Again, despite all the internal problems that are crying for attention, some countries keep poking their noses into others’ affairs criticizing, passing comments even rating the functioning of their political systems. Each country is different & their present political system is due to many factors; from their history, society, religion etc. Why add fuel to fire when keeping a safe distance will enable better understanding?
When the basics for understandings are not respected, all initiatives will end in failure. The countries may vary in styles but the basics like the yearning for peace, better the living-standards, scientific progress and safety of citizens are the common denominators for most, in all countries. We have to build from these foundations for enduring peace.
Our world is becoming an oyster, a global village. Increasingly, borders do not matter especially for the rich & the enterprising who can make a living anywhere. They do not feel restricted, move from country to country & even have residences in many at any time. The old way of restricting the people within their borders is no more relevant. Even, China is opening-up with many foreigners eager to soak-in on their lives, various attractions & even make a living. The only throw-back to the old ways is when dormant issues are raked-up mostly for political posturing at home!
The issue of world peace is within our cusp, more than at anytime in the history of mankind! There is convergence in world-trade, democratic practices & with a common enemy, terrorism, which most anywhere are not part of. Let us unite to reap the peace dividend, work for it & attain progress based on sustainable living for an inviting future! For that, we have to eschew the old ways of raking-up issues that do not really matter but can still touch raw nerves! We all have to grow-up to seize the chances than be mired in the past! We have to re-discover & remember our common destiny!
