Impact of Rising Wave of State and Sub-State Level Far Right Mind-Set on Prevalent Political World Order: Challenges and Way Forward

by Air Commodore (R) Khalid Iqbal TI (M)*

*The writer is a retired air commodore of Pakistan Air Force, he is founding chairperson of a leading think tank “Pakistan Focus”.

Abstract

The rise of contemporary Far-Right thought is impacting traditional safety valve mechanisms like immigration and asylum. Indeed, humane pillars of liberal order are collapsing¹. Contextually, Far-right instincts are embedded in Human nature², which come back in circles to manifest in individual and group behaviour. There have been several attempts to reign in these instincts. Contemporary political level attempts have been through the Westphalian model of ‘Nation State’³, via the concept of secular governance⁴, formation of supranational structures⁵, and weaving of multilateral regimes. However, the global and regional level resource crunch of critical raw materials, monopolistic mind-  set, consuming struggle with ever evolving geo-political  mosaic,  intent and action to acquire exclusive strategic capabilities and rise   of extremism, etc., are tearing apart the existing international system at its seams. Lack of consensus on defining terrorism⁶, and selective application of counter terrorism measures⁷ have created far more serious problems than what needed to be resolved. Conflict triggered migrations/ displacements, melt down of some states to Warlord centred principalities, collapsed formal economies and mushrooming informal borderland economies are boosting a far right mind set. Snowballing unilateralism⁸ and selective multilateralism⁹ in the form of coalition level military interventions¹⁰, sanctions and tariff manipulations¹¹ is increasingly shrinking the traditionally available playing space in interstate relations. Diplomacy is ceding space to arm-twisting. Degradation in the quality of statesmanship is bringing about politics of exclusiveness¹², mob mentality and majoritarian governments¹³.

 Moving from the margins, Far Right philosophy is increasingly occupying centre stage with vigorous claim to mainstream politics¹⁴. Examples: Brexit, “America First slogan”, running away from international treaties and obligations on the pretext that such arrangements are prejudicial to the interests of a particular country, regime change attempts in other countries, ethnicity based separatist movements, unilateral pre-emptive and or surgical strikes, embracing first use of nuclear weapons by even conventionally stronger adversaries and over assertion of national level self-righteousness are just some of the manifestations of contemporary ultra-right thoughts at state and sub-state levels. Equally dangerous are religion inspired ultra-right motivations. Examples: talk of reinventing of Maha-Bharart era, Ghar Wapsi, forced conversions, Love Jihad, Cow Vigilante, attempting forced change of demographic composition through state incentives like settlements, imposing a particular dress code on women, indiscrete use of Jihad, especially by non-state actors, etc.

 Ironically, the Far Right constituency thinks it could do anything and get away with it¹⁵. Though there is no immediate threat of a catastrophic meltdown of the prevailing International System, unravelling processes have begun, and there is no likelihood of reversal or at least early arrest of slipping down towards that end—at least for the time being. Under the circumstances, there is a dire need to hammer out a Comprehensive Universal Covenant for mitigating the contributory factors through: democratization of supra national structures; equitable resource sharing; across the board conventional and nuclear disarmament; riddance of international crime; nurturing the spirit of inter-cultural coexistence, etc.

 This paper, while enlisting major causes leading to the rise of Far-Right politics alongside its ensuing effects, proposes the way forward to steer safely through this still gathering storm. – Author)

Introduction

The US “Department of Homeland Security” identifies “Right-wing extremism”, for domestic purposes as “broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly anti-government, rejecting federal authority in favour of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”¹⁶

Footprints of Far Right and for that matter Far Left instincts go back to the origin of Mankind¹⁷. Man, by nature is radical¹⁸ and self-righteous¹⁹, and hence selfish²⁰, both in individual as well as in group behavioural formats. The strongest computer virus is an unusual idea in the human brain, and the strongest human power is the impulse to implement such ideas instantaneously, that too without fear of consequences. There is an internal conflict residing in the collective human psyche between Ying and Yang or good and evil²¹ which manifests itself in the form of wars as a tool of foreign policy²². Referral to pacifism does not take one beyond skin deep level²³ and, thus, does not effectively firewall  the shocks of Ultra-Right psychology²⁴. Credit for bold recognition of political manifestations of lineage centred Far Right phenomenon, inter alia, goes to Ibn-e-Khaldun²⁵, through his Asabiyyah Model²⁶, wherein, he covers a fairly wide spectrum of political behaviour from individual to State.

The state symbolizes sovereignty²⁷, and whatever happens below and above it at individual, as well sub-state levels on one end, and at supra State levels at bilateral, multilateral and institutional levels, interact with each other in complex ways to reinforce or mitigate ultra- category thought processes which are influenced by a multitude of associated and contributory factors to develop political behaviours at all these levels. Evolution of ultra-right thought is based less on facts and more on perception — inter alia, false consensus effect — of being exposed to an unjust external environment²⁸.

Causes Leading to Ultra-Right Thought

 The primary cause triggering the current ultra-right drivers emanates out of the exploiter-exploited victimhood²⁹ calculus which can be traced back to the unjust World Order evolved by victors of World War II³⁰ and selectively perceived inability of the system to adjust to change and or changing geo-strategic mosaic.

In the Muslim World, there is a deep rooted realization that the current crisis aversion and conflict resolution system acts swiftly  when beneficiaries of conflict resolution are likely to be non-Muslims and becomes cold footed when the beneficiaries are likely to be Muslims³¹. Inaction with regard to Palestine, Kashmir and Cyprus conflicts³² exemplifies and amplifies these misgivings. Furthermore, international financial institutions, including those  under  the  UN,  are non-democratic³³. A few countries monopolize the  decision making and sanctioning or otherwise of loans and the conditions attached are often politically motivated³⁴ as well as prejudicial to the interests of the recipients of such facilities, often causing hardship to the typical low and middle income strata of the borrowing states. Therefore, such institutions are perceived more as working tools for furtherance of foreign policy objectives of privileged countries than genuinely extending a helping hand to those in financial hot waters³⁵. And, in addition to the undemocratic character of such institutions, a significant portion of decisions pertaining to the Global economy are made elsewhere, say, G-7 ³⁶or G-20 etc. The story does not end here, interestingly, financially strong countries think that developing countries are taking them for a ride, looking for more and more easy money rather than improving their resource mobilization, fiscal discipline and macro level structural reforms.

Formation of supranational structures, like the  United  Nations and the weaving of multilateral regimes like Accord de Paris, World Trade Organization, The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), etc., are aimed at regulating the behaviour of State actors³⁷. However, their decisions are, by and large, reflective of the  relative distribution of national power potential within the overall World order³⁸, that perpetuates the protection of interests of the already privileged club.

A monopolistic mind-set, alongside the status quo and anti-status quo forces’ struggle with regard to the emerging geo-political and strategic mosaic by venturing to acquire exclusive capabilities like weaponization of space³⁹, developing hypersonic missile technology, desire to live on Mars, etc. tend to flip-flop regional and global power equilibriums, and hence important international multilateral treaties are being betrayed through abrogation, non-extension, withdrawal and indifference⁴⁰.

The functioning of international regimes controlling strategic trade smacks of apartheid⁴¹. Focusing  more  on  denying  legitimate  rights of those states aspiring to join these exclusive regimes rather than meaningfully augmenting non-proliferation and arms control regimes. Accumulation of strategic power by some states and denial of even legitimate entitlements to others⁴² is leading to untenable political behaviour and dangerous doctrinal trajectories⁴³.

A Muslim oriented interpretation of terrorism and its selective mixing with legitimate struggles for self-determination alongside lop-sided applications of counter terrorism measures have created far more serious problems than what needed to be resolved⁴⁴. Wrong Wars and internal conflict triggered migrations and displacements will take decades to settle down⁴⁵. Till then they will continue to breed, strengthen and sustain ultra-right ambitions.

Fallouts of dismembered states, uncontrollable borders, collapsed formal economies and the ensuing mushrooming of informal economies strengthen the far-right mind set at state and sub-state levels with ramifications at regional and global tiers⁴⁶. Amicable resolutions of open-ended conflicts, the “Wrong Wars”⁴⁷, are not yet in sight. The art and science of war-waging is becoming increasingly dehumanized⁴⁸. For instance, the use of drones and suicidal bombers⁴⁹ and the inability of both to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. Diplomacy is ceding space to arm-twisting⁵⁰. Decency in international dealings⁵¹ is becoming a distant memory. The incumbent, but receding super power is ganging-up with regional pygmies to militarily contain the peaceful rise of its heir apparent⁵². The global political landscape, at least for the time being, is overloaded with volatile variables⁵³ of ultra-right intents and actions.

This, coupled with a lower calibre of statesmanship, is bringing out politics of exclusiveness, mob mentality and majoritarian governments⁵⁴. Hence, already marginalized individuals, communities and states are in for an incremental squeeze⁵⁵.

The resultant order at sub-state, state and global levels is perpetually on tenterhooks⁵⁶, yearning to unhinge⁵⁷. While international order  needs a healing touch, rise of far right dogmas is rubbing salt on its wounds⁵⁸. The phenomenal rise of far right mentality over the last two decades or so, and an ensuing divisive sentiment is here to stay, for some time, and flourish. The domino effect is picking up pace and the far right constituency thinks it has nothing to lose⁵⁹. In an ironic twist, the ownership of the far right and inclusiveness views have switched positions: we see the Pope striving for openness towards migrants, Muslims and gay people⁶⁰; while global political leadership are erecting border walls and championing nationalist, populist and far right political slogans⁶¹.

Notwithstanding decades of claims regarding fast paced globalisation and the irrelevance of national boundaries, there is a surge in right- wing extremism, riding the wave of an unbridled quest for populism, fuelled by growing disgruntlement with globalisation and its ensuing discrepancies⁶². Chauvinistic “ethno-nationalist movements, so called Islamist terrorism and right-wing violent extremism”⁶³ are the varied indices of glaring insufficiencies resulting out of a hasty and unguarded spree for globalisation.

Growth, Networking and Acceptance of Contemporary Ultra-Right Mosaic

History records many waves of a rise of the Ultra-Right. Most of those were, by and large, confined to a limited geographical patch, an ideology or ethnicity. The alarming aspect of the ongoing wave is its near global ascendancy, cutting across ethno-sectarian and economic divides, where both the exploiter and the exploited claim victimhood. Polarization patterns have moved from traditional and discernible horizontal and vertical lines to fascinating as well as frightening, zig- zag and hydra headed contours. Societies are becoming increasingly polarised. Each far-right group harbouring militant ambitions somehow manages a mob of ideologically hardened extremist fighters and an unending flow of money. Public articulations, mainly emotion laced rhetorical declarations by high profile political leaders are the lifeline of these groups. Mere notional sympathy of far right ideals by prominent politicians, or prompting by far right elements of the media, are catalytic for emboldening radical individuals associated with hate groups. They get encouraged to break the law, and take-up the role of instant judge and executioner. These militancy prone groups pay back to their mentor politicians by voting for them and through coercive campaigning for them. Hence, over time, an unholy alliance perpetuates between the two — opportunistic politician and militant ideologue⁶⁴.

The overall influence of extremist groups is on the rise as well, notwithstanding their caustic influence on multicultural dimension of societies⁶⁵.

Buddhism, generally reputed for its pacific contour, is also asserting its place in today’s evolving saga of nationalism⁶⁶. With a bang indeed, the Buddhist mainstream has jumped into the fray of militant tribalism. They consider themselves to be “spiritual warriors” who ought to safeguard their faith against any external force. As Buddhism and Islam collide, a segment of Buddhists are giving up nonviolent doctrines of their faith⁶⁷. During the last few years, Buddhist gangs have carried out lethal attacks on areas lodging Muslim minority clusters in Myanmar and Sri Lanka⁶⁸. They capitalize on support from extremist monks to legitimize their actions⁶⁹.

Over the past five years or so, political parties associated with far right dogmas have been able to gain substantial space in furthering their divisive objectives via electoral successes, this trend covers all parts  of the World including the, so far , liberal democracies of the West.⁷⁰ Malpractices and illegitimate interventions in elections by Far-Right elements, without any remorse, are emerging as a new normal. Free and fair elections have become a fallacy.

Electoral gains by the Far-Right started to become noticeable from 1990s through to the early 2000s, however, successes of the current magnitude, at least throughout Europe, are a first, since the 1930s⁷¹. Born out of crises brought about by global recessions and conflict triggered displacements, the phenomena of populism triggered nationalism and vice versa, are now formidable political forces and are on the rise⁷². Though media focus on right-populist movements has mainly been on “Brexit” and the rise of the likes of President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the far-right doctrines, practices and power accumulation efforts have strengthened across the World⁷³. The Austrian Freedom Party’s race to win the presidency was a close call. “National Front” of France is seen consolidating and augmenting its position; Netherlands’ “Party for Freedom” is also doing well; “Golden Dawn” has attained a strong format in Greece; and likewise, “Alternative for Deutschland party” can’t be ignored in Germany⁷⁴.

Manifestations of ultra-right thoughts are clearly discernible in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Acceptance of right-wing populism triggered extremism has significantly snowballed during the last few years in as diverse nations as Italy, Hungary, Brazil, Germany, France, New Zealand, the US, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Egypt, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Pakistan, etc.⁷⁵

This rise has taken over the US political landscape by storm. Once abhorred White masochists are now a reality to live with⁷⁶.

“In August 2017, hundreds of far-right extremists descended on Charlottesville in Virginia. This “Unite the Right” gathering was the largest and most violent public assembly of white supremacists within the US in decades. Besides the growth of a pervasive and emboldened white supremacist mind-set, there have been overt acts of violence motivated by white supremacists, such as the shooting rampages in Parkland, Pittsburgh, Poway, El Paso, Texas. The University of Maryland’s Global Terrorism Database has noted that right-wing-inspired terrorist acts in the US grew from 6% to 35% of the total from 2010 to 2016⁷⁷.”

Just a few years ago, the very thought that the far right could rise to political power in then enduring democracies was poised to a shrug off, not just by liberals alone but even more vehemently, by the Right- wingers. To surprise everyone, just during 2010-18, the extreme right has moved from the outer periphery to the core of power-play⁷⁸. According to Walden Bello, “The far right is on the rise from North America to Europe to Asia. Each case is different, but they share key similarities — and require similar responses⁷⁹”.

“There is, of course, Donald Trump. But before his surprise electoral victory in November 2016, Viktor Orban had come to power again in Hungary in 2010 — this time reincarnated as a man of the hard right instead of the liberal democrat he was in the late nineties. Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalists achieved a smashing electoral victory in India in 2014, and further built on it in 2019. Rodrigo Duterte’s tough law-and- order line carried him to the presidency of the Philippines  in May 2016. And after Trump, the Alternative fur Deutschland won 94 of the German Bundestag’s 630 seats in the September 2017 elections, the first time the far right has gained a presence in that body, and the anti-immigrant Northern League came to power in alliance with the Five- Star Movement in Italy in the aftermath of the March 2018 elections. In France, it took an informal electoral alliance of the centre right, centre, centre left, and left to fend off the presidential bid of the National Front’s Marine Le Pen in the electoral runoff of May 2017”⁸⁰.

An Overview of Asia

 In India, a Hindu right scored a huge triumph in the 2014 elections, and further consolidated its position in 2019. As Chief Minister of the Gujarat state, during 2002, Narendra Modi oversaw a premeditated slaughter of around 2,000 people — mostly Muslims— in a widely acknowledged pogrom. In the Philippines, a serial killer of 7000 people heads the state, and continues to be as popular today as on his election day. In Thailand, the military is in no mood to restore democracy. In Cambodia, Hun Sen has disbanded the leading opposition party. In Myanmar, the junta is happily overseeing a genocide with unwavering backing from the Buddhists as well as tacit support by the elected civilian government, notionally headed by Nobel laurate Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.

Authoritarianism is on the rise. Majoritarian regimes are emerging and consolidating. Cultural superiority, racism and, ethnocentrism are major drivers of most of these movements. The extreme right now owns, once traditionally, left-wing ideals. Racist, chauvinistic, and an anti-immigrant approach echoes the agenda of the fascists and Nazis during the volatile 1930s⁸¹.

Rise of the Far Right in the West

 Some of the right-wing campaigns have run on two cardinal points which continue to sway many Western States: “uplifting the poor working class in a crippling globalized economy, and constricting immigration from the Middle East”⁸². Clashes with cultural, social and politico- economic undertones have emerged as major driving forces. Though the economy and immigration have been in the spotlight, the real cause is the common man’s lack of trust in institutions of a typical Nation State⁸³. People are speedily giving up faith on their respective governments and international systems; they appear hungry for change. Widespread feelings of insecurity are another reason for propelling the popularity of far-right doctrines. “Little to lose, and much to gain” assessments have been major drivers for the rise of the far right phenomenon⁸⁴.

As regard to Europe, the economic core is overwhelmed by populism⁸⁵. In the southern part, left-wing populism is ballooning. Both areas harbor sentiments against each other, “there is massive polarization among the political elites. That polarization is not going to decline in the coming years⁸⁶.” “The core no longer wants to pay for the economic problems in the south, and southern European countries feel the core is enforcing austere policies upon them”.⁸⁷ The European political order faces formidable challenges, and, as such, the sustainability of European Union’s stability is questionable⁸⁸.

Right-wing terrorism has contributed towards the rise of Far Right practices and is helping its further rise to political power. Right wing induced terrorism and its variants like neo-fascism, neo-cons, neo- Nazism, racism, xenophobia, Hindutva and opposition to immigration, one way or the other, strengthen right-wing doctrines. In the political context, right wing extremists yearn to replace liberal and democratic dispensations with far-right oriented governments.

The Way Forward

 Though the challenge of the Far Right is formidable, it is not overwhelming. Through a corrective campaign, the tide could be turned back. One has to face the reality that “ultra-right movements are either in power or on the threshold of power — and once they get power, through elections or other means, they have no intention of relinquishing it”. The trajectories of the Far-right have been persistent from Hitler to Amit Shah-Modi. Amit has already declared that BJP “will be in power for the next 50 years”⁸⁹.

Though one may focus an anti-Far-right campaign on a Human Rights perspective, it must be understood that “these might have less purchase now among people influenced by leaders who dismiss human rights as a western ideology.”⁹⁰

Practitioners of progressive politics “need to go beyond calling for a return to the old discredited elite democracy”⁹¹. Instead, there is need for “stronger state and civil society” alongside prudent “management of the economy, moving it beyond capitalism”⁹², alongside “a strong dose of radical income and wealth redistribution”⁹³, while upholding democratic norms, interfaith harmony, coexistence of cultural plurality, and guaranteeing the rights of “minorities, marginalized and migrants”.⁹⁴

Generally, “middle classes have, an active consensus behind authoritarian politics”⁹⁵. A vast majority of “the poorer and more marginalized classes either keep the right at arms-length or limit their support to passive consensus”⁹⁶. So, there is need to mobilize these segments, “without, however, giving up on the middle class, or the white [collar] working class” ⁹⁷. Moreover, “racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities must be central to this coalition”⁹⁸.

Personalities and parties harbouring right-wing doctrines are sturdily prejudiced towards Women “at a time when women’s struggles for their rights are ascendant throughout the world”. Thus women “could play a central role in the politics of the anti-fascist movement⁹⁹”.

While we consolidate broad anti Far-right coalitions, “already discredited ideas and faces”¹⁰⁰ may not be very helpful. Thus “it is imperative that new faces, new political formations, and new ideas come to represent the progressive response to fascism”¹⁰¹. There is a need to approach the youth and persuade them to play a central role.

The apparent decrease in post 9/11 category terrorism and a corresponding respite in the urgency and necessity to continue ruthless counter terrorism strategies presents a window of opportunity whereby an appropriate international legal frame-work for the conduct of the counter terrorism facet of war at national and international levels should be formulated.

Lowering tempers is key to success, for this we need to resort to the unequivocal assertion that “violence and violent rhetoric are unacceptable”. Everyone must speak against violence and “support the moderates willing to work across communities and temper their own groups” ¹⁰². The media needs to “stop treating every issue as a win or loss for one partisan side, which increases polarization, and instead emphasize the complexity of policy outcomes and the multifaceted nature of our identities”¹⁰³. There is need to ensure that law enforcement entities follow the law, and while dealing with a monster they themselves do not become monsters¹⁰⁴.

Global Level Actions

There is a pressing need to work for a Comprehensive Universal Covenant for equitable resource sharing, democratization of supra national structures, across the board conventional and nuclear disarmament, and nurturing the spirit of interfaith coexistence.

Meaningful reforms of the United Nations must be fast tracked to make the UN more transparent in character and truly democratic in nature. There should be no new creations of privileged power structure by adding to veto yielding countries. A systematic framework should be formulated to first reduce and ultimately eliminate the veto element. This democratization of institutions must be quick, transparent and representative of aspirations of an overwhelming number of states.

The UN should clear the back log of conflicts clinging to its agenda since decades. Special attention should be paid towards resolving hot spot conflicts like Kashmir, Palestine, Myanmar, etc.

Institutions like the World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc., need to align their decision making processes with global realities. There is need for revisiting their rules of business to make them a helping hand for developing countries rather than acting as tools only for furthering and perpetuating the interests of powerful countries. Making major economic decisions over and above these UN forums, like at G-7 and G-20, needs to stop.

The United Nations needs to institute an effective mechanism to monitor State level adherence to the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”; and when necessary, issue an advisory to defaulter states. To strengthen the standing of this Covenant, it should be adopted by the Security Council as well.

There is need to revisit the definition of a ‘nation state’ and plug the gaps by incorporating rights and obligation of a typical Nation State towards minorities and marginalised segments.

Steps should be taken for across the board disarmament in the conventional and nuclear domain on the pattern of the Conventions   on Chemical and Biological weapons. Special attention is needed towards prohibition of weaponization of space. The global nuclear non-proliferation regime is in disarray. There is need to re-negotiate the Non-Proliferation Treaty, guaranteeing unhindered access of all states to the non-weapon or civil application of nuclear knowledge and techniques.

All mineral resources, especially rare earths, should be declared   as common Human heritage. Their extraction and stocking should be managed by global banks, from where all countries should be able to get their legitimate share.

Water is becoming a scarce commodity, there is need for a universally acceptable accord for safeguarding rights to all users.

The international community needs to put its act together with regard to evolving challenges due to climate change.

National Level Responsibilities

 The state is the hub centre for ensuring that moderate values, practices and environment prevail within its jurisdiction. Moderate democratic governments need to increase public awareness through media and school/college curricula about the rising tide of the Far right thought.

States also need to hedge against the rise of far-right thoughts by strengthening democratic values, instituting inclusive policies, equitable resource and job distribution, preventing persecution of minorities and adherence to Human Rights.

State governments must train law enforcing entities to be professional and humane.

Such governments should implement the universally accepted HR values, and civil and political rights by bringing their domestic laws in line with their international obligations.

However, the current rise of Far-right thought bearers to political power at the state level is likely to be detrimental  to these objectives. Wherever it happens, the out of power moderate political parties have a duty to perform. They should mobilise likeminded segments of society to undertake a peaceful campaign to replace such governments through peaceful methods. Under these circumstances, the media and NGOs also have respective roles to perform with regard to public awareness and by helping marginalised communities.

Sub-State Level Remedies

 No matter how oppressive a state turns out to be, there will always be some scattered segments of society that abhor such oppression. These elements should continue to strive for their legitimate civil, political and human rights though mobilizations and alliance making. Such a struggle should remain peaceful and should focus on attainment of rights through democratic processes.

At times, sub-state elements get triggered against the state due to vested interests, and they often get sponsorship from other states. This sets into motion decades long, no holds barred confrontations between the State and Sub-state elements, causing disruption, and radiating a sense of perpetual insecurity. Such movements, more often than not, turn volatile, foreclosing a negotiated political settlement. States have a dilemma in handling such situations. The UN may consider laying down a criteria for such situations — indeed a task easier said than done.

Conclusion

 When self-preservation takes over, it usually takes civilization, democracy, decency, and sanity with it¹⁰⁵. The billion-dollar questions are: “Can our empathy survive? What about our decency? How about our courage, strength, grace, generosity and humility? Can our consciousness — battered and bruised as it is — withstand the current wave of the Far Right?¹⁰⁶ My response to these questions is an emphatic Yes! As  of now, the World is experiencing a Deja Vu of the 1930s. Extreme right thoughts and practices are on an aggressive rise, and the fate of democratic belief appears uncertain — at least for the time being. There is a silver lining. Historic context reveals that “fortunes of the [likes] of far right have come and gone over time”, so, “one may say it will blow over.” We need to get our act together to minimize collateral damage and put up a concerted campaign for first halting and then reversing the tide of the far Right. Reversal of the far right is doable.

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24. Ibid.
25. Fahmida Riaz, written and compiled “Ibn e Khaldun and his Muqaddimah”, Oxford University Press, Pakistan. https://oup.com.pk/ibn-e-khaldun-and-his- muqaddimah.html
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27. Josef Joffe, “Rethinking the Nation-State: The Many Meanings of Sovereignty”, Foreign Affairs, review Essay: November/December 1999. https://www. com/reviews/review-essay/1999-11-01/rethinking-nation-state- many-meanings-sovereignty
28. Lee Ross, David Greene, Pamela House, “The “false consensus effect”: An egocentric bias in social perception and attribution processes”, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Volume 13, Issue 3 (Elsevier Inc: May 1977) 279-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1031(77)90049-X
29. Robert Mayer, “What’s Wrong with Exploitation?”, Journal of Applied Philosophy, 24, No. 2 (Wiley: 2007), pp. 137-38. https://www.jstor.org/ stable/24355301
30. Robert Kagan, “The world America made — and Trump wants to unmake”, Politico, updated April 19, 2019. https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-wants-to-destroy-liberal-world-order-post-ww2/
31. Özçelik, Sezai, “Islamic/Middle Eastern Conflict Resolution for Inter-personal and Intergroup Conflicts: Wisata, Sulha and Third-Party”, Uluslararası İlişkiler, Volume 3, No 12 (Winter 2006-2007), p. 3-17.
32. Sumantra Bose, “Contested Lands: Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka”, GSDRC Applied Knowledge Service,2007. https://gsdrc.org/ document-library/contested-lands-israel-palestine-kashmir-bosnia-cyprus- and-sri-lanka/. Cambridge USA, pp. 290-303. “[‘Source, Bose, S., 2007,” ‘Conclusion’ in Contested Lands: Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia, Cyprus, and Sri Lanka, Harvard University Press]”.
33. Yuliya Pismennaya, “Democratic Deficits in International Institutions”, E-International Relations Students, November 20, 2012. https://www.e-ir. info/2012/11/20/democratic-deficits-in-international-institutions/
34. Anwar Shah, “Development assistance and conditionality: Challenges in design and options for more effective assistance”, Brookings Institution, April 28, 2017. “[EC-OECD Seminar Series on Designing better economic development policies for regions and cities.]” https://www.oecd.org/cfe/regional-policy/Shah- Development-assistance-and-conditionality.pdf
35. Ibid.
36. CFR.org Editors, Backgrounder, “The G7 and the Future of Multilateralism”, Council for Foreign Affairs, Last updated August 20, 2019. https://www.cfr.org/ backgrounder/g7-and-future-multilateralism
37. United Nations Economic and Social Council. “Global Commitment to Multilateral Agreements Crucial for Sustainability, Secretary-General Tells Economic and Social Council Development Forum”, April 18, 2016. https://un.org/press/en/2016/ecosoc6750.doc.htm
38. Gregory F. Treverton, Seth G. Jones, “Measuring National Power”, National Security Research Division, RAND Corporation, Conference Proceedings, https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/conf_proceedings/2005/RANDCF215.pdf
39. Rodney W. Jones, “India’s Strategic Culture”, Defence Threat Reduction Agency, USA, October 31, 2006. https://fas.org/irp/agency/dod/dtra/india.pdf
40. “Multilateralism under challenge?”, Social Science  Research  Council  and  the United Nations University, https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:2470/ pdf9280811290.pdf
41. “The “Theory of Three Worlds” as a Strategic Conception Smacks of Right- Wing Opportunism!”, Edited by the Central Leadership of Kommunistischer Arbeiterbund Deutschlands (KABD) (Communist Workers’ League of Germany). Published March 1978 / English edition March 1980. Published and distributed by Verlag Neuer Weg GmbH. Freitag, June 07, 2019. https://www.mlpd.de/english/2019/the-theory-of-three-worlds-as-a-strategic-conception-smacks-of-right-wing-opportunism
42. John J. Mearsheimer, “Structural Realism”, pp72-86. https://mearsheimer. uchicago.edu/pdfs/StructuralRealism.pdf
43. Arka Biswas, Kartik Bommakanti, Yogesh Joshi “Contra massive retaliation: Possible trajectories of a flexible response deterrent strategy for India”, ORF Occasional Papers, Fourth paper in 20 years of Pokhran-II series, Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/research/43050-contra- massive-retaliation-possible-trajectories-of-a-flexible-response-deterrent-strategy-for-india/
44. “Fight against International Terrorism Impeded by Stalemate on Comprehensive Convention, Sixth Committee Hears as Seventy-Third Session Begins”. United Nations Meetings Coverage, Sixth Committee, Seventy-third Session, 1^st & 2^nd Meeting (AM & PM). GA/L/3566. October 03, 2018. https://www.un.org/press/ en/2018/gal3566.doc.htm
45. Padraig O’Malley, “Migration and Conflict”, New England Journal of Public Policy, Volume 30, Issue 2Special Issue on Migration, September 21, 2018. University of Massachusetts Boston, [email protected] , https:// scholarworks.umb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1741&context=nejpp
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47. Chloe Farand, “Third of British people want to see Tony Blair tried as a war criminal over Iraq, finds YouGov poll” Independent, August 01, 2017, https://www. co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tony-blair-war-criminal-iraq-trial- convicted-yougov-british-people-uk-prme-minister-wmds-dossier-a7870341. html
48. Dehumanizing war, Drone Warfare, https://drones-and-war.weebly.com/ dehumanizing-war.html
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50. James J. Shinn ed., “Riding the Tigers: American Commercial Diplomacy in Asia”, Council on Foreign Relations, February 1, 1998. https://cfrd8-files.cfr. org/sites/default/files/pdf/1998/09/Riding_Tigers_136.pdf
51. Neumann, Iver “To Be a Diplomat.” International Studies Perspectives 6, no. 1 (2005): 72-93. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44218353.
52. “China Debates Its “Peaceful Rise” Strategy”, YaleGlobal Online, Yale University. https://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/china-debates-its-peaceful-rise- strategy
53. Ian Bremmer, “Volatile Politics Rattle the Global Economy”, Time, August 2019. https://time.com/5658437/global-economy-politics/
54. “The Global State of Democracy Exploring Democracy’s Resilience”, first edition, (2017: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) 2-30.
55. “Inclusive Cities Approach Paper”, World Bank Report, Report No:  AUS8539, (Global Practice for Social, Urban and Rural Development, and Resilience: May 2015):11-20. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/ en/402451468169453117/pdf/AUS8539-REVISED-WP-P148654-PUBLIC- Box393236B-Inclusive-Cities-Approach-Paper-w-Annexes-final.pdf
56. Eduard Soler i Lecha, “The World in 2019: Ten Issues that will Shape the Global Agenda”, Notes Internationals 208, December 2018, Barcelona Centre for International Affairs. https://www.cidob.org/en/publications/publication_series/notes_internacionals/n1_208/the_world_in_2019_ten_issues_that_will_shape_%20the_global_agenda
57. Nikil Saval, “Globalisation: the rise and fall of an idea that swept the world”, Guardian Weekly, July 14, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ jul/14/globalisation-the-rise-and-fall-of-an-idea-that-swept-the-world
58. Paulus Kaufmann, Hannes Kuchf, Chritian Neuhauserr and Elaine Webster, , “Humiliation, Degradation, Dehumanization: Dignity Violated”, (2011: Springer) 159- 172. http://www.corteidh.or.cr/tablas/r30885.pdf
59. John Lichfield, “Brexit could lead to ‘domino effect’ in Europe as far-right celebrates referendum result”, Independent, June 24, 2016. https://www. co.uk/news/world/europe/brexit-could-lead-to-domino-effect-in- europe-as-far-right-celebrates-referendum-result-a7101391.html
60. Jason Horowitz, “Pope Francis May Not Change the But He Is Reshaping the Church”, New York Times, October 04, 2019. https://www.nytimes. com/2019/10/04/world/europe/pope-francis-cardinals-catholic-church.html
61. Peter C Baker,“ ‘We the people’: the battle to define populism”, Guardian, January 10, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jan/10/we-the- people-the-battle-to-define-populism
62. Syed Mohammad Ali, “Rising far-right extremism”, Express Tribune, August 30, 2019, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2045156/rising-far-right-extremism/
63. Ibid.
64. Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi,” Imran Khan Needs To Control The Self Righteous Mob That Abuses To Defend Him”, Naya Daur, October 20, 2019. Imran Khan Needs To Control The Self Righteous Mob That Abuses To Defend Him
65. Syed Mohammad Ali, “Rising far-right extremism”, Express Tribune, August 30, 2019, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2045156/rising-far-right-extremism/
66. Hannah Beech, ‘Our Duty to Fight’: The Rise of Militant Buddhism, https://timeswitharyan.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/our-duty-to-fight-the-rise-of- militant-buddhism-by-hannah-beech/
67. Ibid.
68. Ibid.
69. Ibid.
70. Audrey Sheehy, “The Rise of the Far Right”, Harvard Political Review, February 11, 2017. https://harvardpolitics.com/world/rise-of-far-right/
71. Ibid.
72. Ibid.
73. Ibid.
74. Ibid.
75. Ibid.
76. Ibid.
77. Ibid.
78. Walden Belo, “Sieg Heil Deja Vu? Understanding the Global Rise of the Extreme Right”, TNI, 04 အောက်တိုဘာလ 2018. https://www.tni.org/my/node/24387
79. By Walden Bello,. “Sieg Heil Deja Vu? Understanding the Global Rise of the Extreme Right”, The Foreign Policy in Focus, October 3, 2018. https://fpif.org/ sieg-heil-deja-vu-understanding-the-global-rise-of-the-extreme-right/
80. Ibid.
81. Ibid.
82. Audrey Sheehy, “The Rise of the Far Right” Harvard Political Review, February 11, 2017. https://harvardpolitics.com/world/rise-of-far-right/
83. Ibid.
84. Ibid.
85. Bart Bonikowski, “Ethno‐nationalist populism and the mobilization of collective resentment”, The British Journal of Sociology, Volume68, Issue S1, 08 November 2017, Pages S181-S213 . https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12325
86. Ibid.
87. Ibid.
88. Ibid.
89. Amit Shah, “Win 2019 and remain in power for next 50 years, says BJP President Amit Shah”, The News Minute, September 10, 2018. https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/win-2019-and-remain-power-next-50-years-says- bjp-president-amit-shah-88074
90. Kenneth Roth, “The Dangerous Rise of Populism: Global Attacks on Human Rights Values”, Human Rights Watch, Annual Report 2017. https://www.hrw. org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/dangerous-rise-of-populism
91. Martin Wolf, “ Failing elites threaten our future”, Financial Times, January 14, https://www.ft.com/content/cfc1eb1c-76d8-11e3-807e-00144feabdc0
92. “A radical idea for reducing inequality deserves more attention”, The Economist, September 20, 2018. https://www.economist.com/finance-and- economics/2018/09/20/a-radical-idea-for-reducing-inequality-deserves-more- attention
93. Ibid.
94. Karen Moore, “Education for Migrant, Minority and Marginalised Children in Europe”, Report, Open Society Foundations, January 2008. https://www. org/publications/education-migrant-minority-and- marginalised-children-europe
95. Houtman, Dick. (2003). Lipset and “Working-Class” Authoritarianism. The American Sociologist. 34. 85-103. 10.1007/s12108-003-1008-8. https:// researchgate.net/publication/226656111_Lipset_and_Working-Class_ Authoritarianism/citation/download
96. Walden Bello, “Sieg Heil Deja Vu? Understanding the Global Rise of the Extreme Right”, Foreign Policy in Focus, October 3, 2018. https://fpif.org/sieg- heil-deja-vu-understanding-the-global-rise-of-the-extreme-right/
97. Ibid.
98. Ibid.
99. Ibid.
100. Ibid
101. Walden Bello, “A Letter to Brazil, from a Friend Living Under Duterte”, Foreign Policy in Focus, October 26, 2018. https://fpif.org/a-letter-to-brazil-from-a- friend-living-under-duterte/
102. Rachel Kleinfeld, “A short primer on preventing political violence”, Washington Post, October 04, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/10/04/ short-primer-preventing-political-violence/?mkt_