Najmuddin A Farooqi.
Drawing parallels between the contemporary world and the early 20th century is a misplaced judgement. Unlike the global polarization witnessed during World War I and World War II, subsequent conflicts whether between North and South Korea, the U.S. and Cuba, North and South Vietnam, or during the Gulf War have not led to a comprehensive division of the world into rigidly opposing blocs. Though ideologically charged, these confrontations were largely contained, never escalating to the scale of world wars.
Today, many countries are governed by right-leaning ideologies. On social media and in scholarly discourse, historians and journalists often highlight injustices allegedly perpetrated by governments against specific ethnic or minority groups. Some draw historical or socio-political parallels between current regimes and tragic periods in history — such as the persecution of minorities in 15th-century Spain during the decline of Muslim rule, or the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, where millions of Jews were killed in concentration camps. While these comparisons may be emotionally reminiscent, they often stray far from present-day realities. Worse, they risk deepening fear among vulnerable populations already facing socio-political uncertainty.
Seventy-five years after the end of colonial rule and the immense human suffering it entailed, the global landscape has changed significantly. The world has become more tolerant and interconnected. Democracies have flourished, liberal immigration policies and relaxed visa restrictions have fostered unprecedented global movement, and massive progress has been achieved in education, business, jobs, culture, and tourism. Economic liberalization and the explosive growth of information technology have been instrumental in enabling these advancements.
However, this progress has come with its own concerns — particularly the growing number of nuclear-armed states and the expansion of their arsenals. Fortunately, these weapons often serve more as a show of strength than a genuine intent to wage war. Even when tensions rise between nations, restraint is generally maintained. Diplomatic ties may be severed, economic sanctions threatened, or nuclear tests conducted, but full-scale wars are typically avoided in favor of mediation and negotiation. In today’s interconnected world, neither large-scale conflict nor the imposition of rigid, sectarian ideologies is sustainable. Nations can no longer afford to enforce a single narrative or uniform belief system across diverse populations.
To appreciate the contrast with the past, consider the 1950s and 1960s: global diasporas were relatively small, international trade was minimal, and diplomatic relationships between countries were limited. The United Nations itself had only just been founded in 1945. In contrast, today’s economies are deeply consumer-driven, with trade so globalized that it is often difficult to trace the origin of a product or its components. Populations of different nationalities, ethnicity, and religions now live and work side by side in unprecedented numbers. Millions are engaged in education, research, international business, and cultural exchange. Some countries even offer pathways to citizenship for long-term expatriates. Demographic shifts have occurred and continue to occur without disrupting national sovereignty or peace.
Malaysia serves as a compelling example of peaceful demographic coexistence. Although it is a predominantly Muslim country, its population includes 22.6% Chinese, 6.7% Indians (predominantly Hindus, now rising to 8%), and 8.9% non-citizens and others. Hindu temples can be found throughout the nation, reflecting its diverse cultural fabric.
Any ideology that is imposed purely through propaganda, and which fails to align with a country’s socio-cultural and economic context, may appear dominant for a time, but it cannot endure. Ultimately, the social, cultural and economic realities of a nation determine the fate of such ideologies. Political narratives may win elections, but in the end, it is performance that truly matters.
As we approach the end of the second decade of the 21st century, the world has undergone a vertical transformation. It is not only unimaginable to return even a day to the past it would be irrational, even dangerous, for any group or movement to attempt to drag the world back to a medieval mindset. While a nation’s geographic boundaries, sovereignty, and constitution are sacrosanct, progress must be guided by a vision that honors the diversity and complexity of the modern world.
