One of the more disturbing thoughts that poke into my head late at night is how in the wake of the fall of the Soviet empire at the end of the last century a new political order seems to be sweeping the globe. And, at least in the circles within which I move, there appears to be scant notice…
We all, it appears, are aware of the rise of radical Islam. But I think the issues of Israel and Palestine are largely red herrings. At least in the larger scheme of things. The real fight in the area, the reason the world really cares, is all about oil. And, I think, when oil ceases to be central to the world economy, the oil producing parts of the world will cease to be nexus points for clashes of civilizations. Personally, I’m inclined to believe oil will cease to be the world’s energy engine before the middle of this century. I think some sort of peace will eventually be cobbled out between the Israeli and Palestinian states. And as a consequence the Muslim world will be allowed to follow its own path into modernity, or not.
Doesn’t mean there won’t be tons of conflict until then. And at sixty, this may well be the centerpiece world conflict for the rest of my days. So, I have no intention of minimizing the hurt within that conflict.
And, and: I am coming to believe, this is masking a frightening future for the world. At least I think its frightening…
We seem much less conscious of how the former communist states are embracing pretty much straight ahead fascism. And how fascism in one guise or another increasingly appears to be the wave of the future.
Russia is racing headlong in that direction, if it isn’t already solidly there, with its highly centralized authoritarian market-obsessed government. (And thinking of the current conflict with Georgia, they sure have mastered the arts of Orwellian doublespeak, for their dirty little war…) And China, my goodness, China has embraced everything about fascism with an enthusiasm that seems to include all save the name.
And, not to be outdone, our own beloved center right republic which has always had such inclinations, has been seriously courting its fascist inclinations for the duration of the Bush Cheney regime. I believe neither senators Obama nor McCain plan on continuing the consolidation of presidential authority. But, once had, power is hard to let go of…
So, is this the future?
Will the world get organized around totalitarian and fascist ideologies?
Sure looks like that’s the wave of the future…
At least from this corner of the woods, early one Sunday morning…
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