Providing Answers to Terrorism: A New World Order

A little more than a month ago, Britain and Europe were shocked as they learnt that the London bombers where home-grown terrorists. No more did terrorists come from poor regions but, now, they also came from British cities. Unfortunately, it seems that terrorists, unlike politicians, are working in a global reality regardless of any territory or national border.

It seems that where politicians are failing, fundamentalists are succeeding. In fact, while certain sectors of politics remain indifferent towards the plight of certain societies, fundamentalists believe they can advocate the needs of those whom they believe are in need. Fundamentalism may be termed as the gap between globalisation and politics. Globalisation is evolving at a much faster rate than politics and this is causing a sort of vacuum. Some politicians still believe that what happens in one society will not affect their own society. Reality is proving to be different.

The fact is that, with globalisation, transport and communication have become much easier. For example, if it weren’t for internet you wouldn’t be reading this piece at the moment. Globalisation has dramatically increased the possibility of exposing realities, of reaching a greater audience. In fact the target is the world. It is not a nation or a locality anymore. This effectively means that national borders are being defied as freedom of movement of goods, people, capital – and ideas – is fast becoming a reality.

Therefore globalisation has created a new reality which is being exploited by fundamentalists. In fact if it weren’t for a greater access to transport, the British terrorists would not have flown to Pakistan where there they met the fundamentalists that hooked them into their evil project. Fundamentalists also use symbols of globalisation such as satellite television and the internet in order to display their deeds and carry out propaganda amongst their target audience.

This proneness from part of terror organisations to exploit the opportunities of globalisation may also be aided from the fact that they occupy no territory and have no responsibility for any jurisdiction, unlike what politicians have.

In fact, politicians seem to be currently facing a dilemma. They are bound to tackle the problems arising in their territory but they are also, in some way or another, responsible for the problems in other territories. As the experience of the European Project is showing (I am speaking of the Euro Currency), a problem in one country may hinder the development of another country. Therefore only by aiding a country solving its problem will more opportunities be created in the other country. It’s all a sort of multiplier effect.

This is why the aspect of networking is fast becoming crucial in today’s world. Governments are to network with each other in order to solve the problems afflicting them. One cannot dismiss any problem in any country because this may very well be the cause of a multitude of problems in another country. Armed conflicts and poverty in African countries is leading to a serious immigration problem in Europe especially in Southern European states.

Therefore a new world order is needed in order to replace the disorder fundamentalism is creating. But, unlike what the Neo-Con Hawks in the United States propose, that is, the country with the greatest economic influence shall be on top of a hierarchical system, I very much think that there should be a system where governments would be treated on an equal basis. All governments should equally be able to seek opportunities for networking and the principle of equity shall guide everyone to work in the direction of and share the results of development and prosperity.

This new world order may very well be expressed through a reformed United Nations. And the motive is simple. If any world order were to be based on economic output then there would be (presently or in the near future) three factions claiming the throne: United States, the European Union (given it decides to have a stronger voice in world politics) and China. This would give rise to conflicts. This may also mean that at the helm of the world order there may be countries that do not respect the freedom of the individual.

A reformed UN with greater powers would mean that the new world order would be based on commitment towards respect for human rights. A reformed UN would mean greater peace. A reformed UN would mean bridging the gap between the effects of globalisation and conventional politics as the role of the UN would be to promote the needs of the whole globe and promote networking initiatives aimed at achieving better development for all. Only so doing would the need for fundamentalism be ruled out and replaced by a clear answer against violence, in favour of peace and true development for all humankind.