Warning Sign: Keep a Distance from the Government!
In recent news, the autocratic world elite has gathered in Beijing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in the Chinese capital. Among the attendees are North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
This gathering, a testament to the growing influence of these autocratic leaders, comes as the BRICS group, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has established itself as an anti-Western international in recent years. The Shanghai Organization for Cooperation (SOZ), a communication vehicle of the BRICS group, is also in focus, with the current leaders of its member states – China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi – playing central roles.
The meetings in Beijing highlight a shift towards a multipolar world order, a concept championed by Russia, China, and India. Xi Jinping, holding the rotating presidency, emphasizes a multipolar world order centered on Eurasia, while Putin and Modi participate in strategic cooperation alongside China and Russia to promote security, economic integration, and an alternative to Western alliances.
However, the distinction between democratic and non-democratic states is fluid, and the nature of the state can be good or bad, following aesthetic-ideological criteria rather than classical political or economic ones. For instance, democracy in India is seen by some as only a formal matter, while some believe that democracy in America is being abolished.
The rule of law, intended to limit the arbitrariness of rulers and ensure the freedom of citizens, is a principle valued by pragmatists, but it can also conceal its muting and freedom-hostile component with effort and ingenuity. Thomas Hobbes' "Leviathan," a masterpiece of state theory, presents the state as a kind of container to lock up and guard the evil inherent in humans.
Freedom always has to be fought for, even in a welfare state. Skepticism is advised towards the state, especially when it presents itself as a protector and provider. This sentiment is echoed in the warning that democracy should not be taken for granted, as it can erode over time if not actively protected.
From Plato to Liechtenstein's Prince Hans Adam, there are many theories about the state. The common thread, however, is the need for a balance between the power of the state and the freedom of its citizens. As the world continues to evolve, this balance will remain a crucial aspect of global politics.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Sanders' Campaign Advisor Discusses Candidate's Political Standing
- Travel enthusiasts are securing their winter vacation plans as summer draws to a close
- Palmer engages in a dispute with AfD.
