INDIA IN THE ASIAN CONTEXT:
ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES
over the centuries, European Civilisation has been expressed through its increasing technological and military power. With the spread of colonialism, this power was projected through the colonizing states dominated by Great Britain. Asian cultures largely remained harmonious until they were subverted by imperial interests. However, with the end of colonialism in the twentieth century, cultural linkages amongst the countries of Asia began to be rekindled. Within a few decades after the emergence of the United States (US) as a global hegemon, this process of de-culturisation of Asia was restored as Americanization. With the changing political and economic equations and as a result of globalisation, it is being transformed once again into Westernisation.
For centuries, India had strong cultural linkages with Asia—from Kashgar to Kyoto, from Outer Mongolia to Bali. However, with the shift of power and the spread of violence and wars in Europe and after the shock of the “Great Game”, Western elites led by the US have begun to prevail again. The threats of conflicts in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine and now with the threatened war with Iran and the regular bombing of western Pakistan, have broken the promise of peace and equanimity.. The centres of Western power after the Second World War steered the world towards the production of war weapons and terrorism. Instead of eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development, Asian countries have had to protect themselves from not only economic and cultural domination, but also from the weapons used to enforce it.
Now, with the rapid decline of the consumerist paradigm and Western might, the re-emergence of Asia as an economic pole on the world scene, the West’s dream of world domination through financial and cultural influence and advanced weapons is being checkmated by the rising economic power of Asia.
Asia, particularly China and India, can play a central role in reshaping the world order. The following will be some of the components of such a change:
- A rapid, regulated and planned move towards a more sustainable development. The consumerist culture will have to be phased out and emphasis shifted to non-polluting agricultural and rural development. It is time we move away from money-centric growth to a human-centric social order. This means giving priority to the basic needs of all rather than the inflated gross domestic products going mostly to a small fraction of the population.
- Climate change is largely the consequence of consumerist development and weapons production. Only a shift away from this policy will ensure climate stability. Merely attempting a reduction of CO2 and other pollutants responsible for the crisis of climate change will not succeed, unless the present consumerist paradigm of development is materially restructured.
- Linkages of culture and harmony amongst the countries of Asia and beyond, need to be restored with religious tolerance, stability and peace. First colonialism and now globalisation are trying to bring about fundamental cultural transformation and thus are transferring their own conflicts to Asia.
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The three brothers, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism enjoy wide acceptance in Asia. Their harmonious integration and relationship with traditions such as Hinduism and Sufi Islam could create a pattern of peaceful co existence. India is a reference society for many faiths and traditions and will make a vital contribution to this process. Chinese Confucianism could provide balance and orderliness.
This is the path for Asia to evolve towards a sustainable new order. It is necessary to define the ethics of communication, trade and the values, which have brought the world to its present state. As the paradigm shifts, a new code of ethics and values will have to be structured. Therein lies the future of India and Asia.
New Delhi J C Kapur
Winter 2009