Spirituality and National Independence/Sovereignty

Temple of Life

Introduction

In the 80^th year of the current global order of international relations, at least 2 generations of paradigm shifts in value-system, geopolitics and geoeconomics have raised serious questions on how successful relations between countries are mediated and articulated for the ordinary reader. In the face of forever wars, increasing decline in quality, evaporation of value of concepts undergirding ideals and actual turbulence in international relations; we attempt to insert spirituality as a relevant, overarching and strategic category for assessing inter-country relationships.

State of the Art

Independence and sovereignty are geopolitical power concepts carrying relative meanings as guiding terms or principles reflecting state rights with non-absolute values in practice. Higher attention is focused within countries when they are violated naturally by another country. However in contemporary global power configuration with emerging multiple decision centres; there are many countries that maintain trust, cordiality and integrity in their holistic bilateral relationships. This means mutual respect for independence and sovereignty. Nevertheless, there are few cases involving superpowers with larger global footprint where relations are  unequal, toxic and trust-deficit.

This is exemplified in 2 ‘live’ hot wars raging simultaneously with high casualties in the Black Sea zone and West Asia. In both wars, proxies are involved and the defenders confront the same aggressor. To all intents and purposes, one started after 10+ years warning by the defender against existential threat posed by an expanding ‘defensive’ military alliance to its border. The other came from accumulation of unprovoked military attacks on its territory. In both cases empirical evidence suggest that these were wars of choice by the aggressor.  These wars have raised global risk of insecurity as well as serious questions on the future of statecraft and international relations.

Spirituality in Statecraft

Contemporary international relations is reticent on perceiving and assessing bilateral/multilateral relations through spirituality lens. The same unease is also evident in most countries’ statecraft even where their internal realpolitik is driving initiatives. International relations particular from European tradition lean more on violent dilution of morality and ethics which most of the time translate into supremacy of might, that power is always right. The implication is the emergence of a hierarchy or international division of humanity. This long unchallenged tradition is refreshed in the political, economic and diplomatic arena despite the adoption of terms such as rights, law, development, enlightenment, democracy, equality, equity and etc. Simply put, statecraft in practice is employed as a blunt and crude operation to overcome weak parties which inherently hollow out diplomatic terms of their true meanings and values. It is unequal, disrespectful, lack equity, given to impunity and unjust.

Spirituality in this instance is seen as a potential counterweight for framing bilateral and multilateral relations where statecraft prioritise rights, respect, equality, stability, harmony, justice, responsibility, cordiality, trust, confidence and equity. The implication of such initiative include the integration of an elevated sense of consciousness, civilisation and history in the curation of international relations. It also implies that countries are reinforced as spiritual entities with spiritual sensibilities rather than amoral constructs of territory, centre and population.

Acknowledging that the highest qualities and values in a country are crystallised in its aggregate interconnected life including human beings whose total being and holistic existence is nourished by the core life principle called spirit, then a reframing along spirituality is plausible towards a determined focus on genuine stability and collective security. This enables a framing of statecraft and international relations both as praxis in authenticity. Such understanding echoes the fundamental fact that the Earth is a fragile entity serving as the only home of all life reflected in many forms. With this insight, attributing exceptionality to human beings inevitably becomes a problem touching on potential destruction of the Earth.

Spirituality Categories

Since spirituality focus on all aspects of human life and endeavours in its integration with all life; then its massive footprint entangles enduring dynamism of histories, civilisations, religions and traditions. This inclusive and ecumenical quality possess a unique template for situating high global consciousness in the delineation of power relationships at all levels within and between countries. Therefore authenticity as a spirituality locus concern (national) determination and commitment to pursue goodness, intelligibility, truth, beauty and love. The meaning and values of these categories are unlimited to the personal level rather form relevant praxis of an integrated package of resources reshaping worldview of power. In places of coordinated high consciousness; they are anticipated to give teeth to ideals, nourish values and offer robust defence to their assaults. Power must be responsible.

The named categories are powerful and when recognised cum deployed as such offer useful incentives for assessing and evaluating multidimensional features of statecraft and win-win international relationship. Authenticity is an asset for multilayer national investment under another set of categories including attention, intelligence, reason and responsibility. 

Summary

If the Earth is recognised as both fragile and the only home of life including humankind, the current transition in global geopolitical reconfiguration brings along huge new possibilities for re-articulating and redefining statecraft and international relations. The glaring limits of post-WWII framework invites a radical rethinking of global power relations. A decisive interrogation of spirituality and its categories towards inclusion in the development of a robust new framework of statecraft and international relations underpinned by an integrated and ecumenical interface of values is inevitable. Spirituality built on dynamism of consciousness, civilisations, religions and traditions offers an inclusive, integrated and authentic architecture to prevent humankind's self-destruction and Earth's irreparable damage. Such architecture ensures that global geopolitical power finally moves towards becoming equal, equitable and responsible i.e. serving humankind and not vice versa.[1]

Life is beautiful!

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[1] Two texts are relevant. Power and Responsibility by Romano Guardini and Crisis of the Modern World  by Rene Guenon.