The whole future of man depends on his success in three quests: The quest for world peace, the quest for social justice, and the quest for personal freedom. These quests cannot succeed unless we develop a common goal. Since World War II, the world has been constantly facing daunting challenges that need to be addressed immediately. History shows us that humanity has only seen 100 years of peace – from 1815 to the beginning of World War I during which Europe became the global hegemonic power and adopted the role of the global police force. Soon tensions exacerbated at such a rate that the subsequent two world wars killed 190 million to 200 million people.
After the wars ended, the world had molded itself into the vertex of nuclear proliferation. Thus, a nuclear race ensued and all the major powers started to maximise their security and achieve nuclear arsenals to maintain the balance of power. Colonialism had come to an end and states started to distinctly draw their borders. But an ideological confrontation spurred between the US and USSR divided the world into two blocks, capitalism and communism. Their expansionist policies inflicted the wars in Vietnam and later in Afghanistan. At last, in 1991 with the disintegration of the USSR, the US emerged as a sole superpower and started to make decisions for the world. The power in one hand politically exploited the world and waged wars for their own self-interests. Free market capitalism and neo-liberalist policies widened as inequality increased. Today, 80% of the wealth is owned by 1% of the population while the rest have been pushed into poverty.
Irrefutably, the 21st century is creating modern problems for the world as climate change, the rise of populist and pro-nationalist leaders and pandemic threats. However, modern problems need modern and quick solutions. Therefore, international organisations must work collectively for the welfare of the world. Otherwise, the extinction of the human race is inevitable.
Arslan Ashiq
Pir Jaggi
