‘World to face more chaos in new world disorder’

Islamabad : As we peer into the future, the world might expect more chaos and turmoil amid growing politics of ultra-nationalism, strongmen, anger, fear, and politics of anti-politics around the globe. In the current chaotic situation, the challenge for the world and Pakistan is to be better prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Dr. Adil Najam, Dean of the Pardee School of International Affairs at Boston University made this argument during a distinguished lecture titled ‘The World in 2020: Update to the New World Disorder’ organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here at Islamabad.

As the world’s politics is shaping amid chaos and turmoil around the globe, Dr Najam noted that the world is not heading towards new normal, instead the world has almost moved back to the old times. He compared the current socio-political situation with the 1913 situation when First World War was about to start. Today, there is more instability and unpredictability in world’s politics as compared to 1913, he added.

On changing global politics, Dr. Najam said that today we are witnessing the politics of anti-politics where, unfortunately, the politics is being portrayed as a dirty word and dirty business by all segments of the society including media, politicians, intellectuals, and academics etc, which is bad for the society as a whole.

He said there remained no difference between different ideologies including left- and right-wing political ideologies in this new world disorder.

Dr. Najam said that world politics has become change over the decades, where there is a rise of strongmen regime (such as Putin in Russia, Xi in China, MBS in Middle East & Erdogan in Turkey etc.), politics of ultra-nationalism (such as in India-Modi and the USA-Trump), and politics of fear (such as Duterte in Philippine and Kim Jong-un in North Korea) mainly due to the rise of demand for such politics.

“One half of the world people, two-thirds of the world economy and three fourth of the world military is today under the control of strongmen,” said Dr Najam.

He said there would remain some conflict in the world, as strongmen regimes in the world somehow tested their strength to remain relevant in the global power politics.

SDPI executive director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said almost in every part of the world there is some sort of violent or non-violent protest going on and there was mass uprising which is changing and shaping world politics. He said governments around the world has to listen to the young generation and measure up to their expectations to avoid turmoil and chaos in the society.