{"id":158338,"date":"2020-04-27T12:00:31","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=158338"},"modified":"2020-04-15T07:13:54","modified_gmt":"2020-04-15T06:13:54","slug":"war-and-peace-in-the-globalized-world-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2020\/04\/war-and-peace-in-the-globalized-world-part-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"War and Peace in the Globalized World (Part II)"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Part I of this article (here<\/em><\/a>), our aim was to explore the conditions of war and peace in today\u2019s globalized world. Starting with a few time-tested empirical observations about human nature and about conflict, we hoped to explore their continuing relevance today.<\/p>\n

The point explored in Part I was the almost inevitable economic schism which occurs in a country if all political power becomes concentrated in the hands of the extremely rich. The schism has a huge bearing on power-mongers\u2019 choice between conflict and peace.<\/p>\n

In Part I, we denoted by \u2018A\u2019 the vast majority of law-abiding people of a country, and by \u2018B\u2019 the so-called \u2018ruling elites\u2019, the small minority with a very strong grip on economy and politics.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The powerful \u2018ruling elites\u2019 of one country very often have better ties with the \u2018ruling elites\u2019 of another country, than\u00a0 with the average folk of their own country.<\/p>\n

\u2018Birds of a feather fly together\u2019 is the rule. No \u2018special one\u2019 wishes to be seen to be close to the average Joe or Jane. Therefore social, business and political ties are far stronger among \u2018ruling elites\u2019 across countries, than across the deep \u2018economic schism\u2019 in one country.<\/p>\n

The diagram below shows how \u2018B-networks\u2019 operate among four countries AB1, AB2, AB3, AB4. Similar networks span all the 200 odd countries of the world.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As discussed in Part I, each of these countries is effectively divided into two parts A and B. A represents the majority; B represents the so-called \u2018ruling elite\u2019.<\/p>\n

B-types around the world want maximum annual returns on their already massive assets.<\/p>\n

To that end, B1, B2, B3, B4 et cetera<\/em> compete, collude or collaborate with each other as the need arises. To them, the rest of mankind \u2013 A1, A2, A3, A4 et cetera<\/em> \u2013 are people of a different kind. Call them deplorable, underdeveloped, backward, lower caste \u2026 whatever.<\/p>\n

Take an example of two countries, say AB1 and AB2. Within AB1, the schism is between A1 and B1; within AB2, the schism is between A2 and B2. Crucially, B1 and B2 are economically much closer to each other than A1 and A2 are to each other. This makes it possible for B1 and B2 to collude and exploit A1, or A2, or both \u2013 as the need arises, from time to time.<\/p>\n

To keep the gravy-train rolling, the basic code of behaviour of the B-types is: Whatever it takes<\/em><\/strong>. There is absolutely no other morality or ethic underlying their behaviour.<\/p>\n