Rising and Underlying Tension I

World politics is constantly driven by tension.

A quick look at any newspaper will give the most casual follower of world events an insight into the current tension gripping the international community. Riots in Iran continue and have widened the gap between the Iranian government and the UK and US. North Korea continues to defy United Nations sanctions. The Honduras crisis continues, the African Union has pulled out of the International Criminal Court and the Israeli and Palestinian conflict continues. In addition to this, tension and fighting remains a constant in Georgia, Iraq and Afghanistan. So the obvious question is, are we heading for another world war?

These types of patterns have occurred many times before. World wide tension came to a head in the early twentieth century with two world wars and countless smaller conflicts. What was the result of these wars? Utter destruction and desolation is an obvious answer but if we look at the modern state of these countries another result is apparent. There is no whisper of tension remaining between former world war enemies in Europe. France and Germany have become strong allies and the UK continues to engage with the mainland. These wars were awful, but they were cathartic.

Compare this situation to the Cold War of the late twentieth century. There was a huge level of tension between these countries with a constant threat of war hanging over the heads of every citizen across the world. However, war between Russia and America never broke out and tension between these countries has never been fully dissipated. The "cult of the leader" remains strong in both countries and this is often founded on governments defining themselves in contrast to the old enemy.

Make no mistake, I am a committed pacifist but it seems that rising and underlying tension very rarely is solved by anything except war.

-The English Student

The European Rugby Cup Ablaze

Sport is often not just about physical or mental prowess.

The European Rugby Cup and Challenge Cup are prime examples of the vast areas that sport can deal with. While some competitions focus on individual effort and exemplify the drive and ambition of the human spirit, these rugby competitions deal with something else entirely: tribalism.

There is of course latent elements of tribal behaviour in modern life. In fact, many sociologists theorise that tribalism is often encouraged within society in order to create a common national feeling. In the past, these tropes have often taken violent and destructive forms that have created death and permanent division.

However, rugby seems to deal with this without bloodshed, Every weekend provincial teams across many European countries face each other to test their skill and strength. The fanaticism of the spectators and the phenomenal intensity shown by the players has to be seen on a common level with past tribal behaviour. These matches are not just about rugby, they are about the Hundred Years War, the Battle of Flodden Field and general sovereignty. Every try scored is an advantage over an ancient rival and a banner of national pride. More than this, when the battle is over equal respect is shown to the victor and the vanquished with on pitch guards of honour and dignified spectators.

Clearly, if something like rugby can alleviate these tendencies towards tribalism we should embrace such a healthy release.

-The English Student

Beijing Olympics - Boycott?

As the Beijing Olympics approach, the level of unrest and discord regarding the event has increased.

Recently, activists supporting the rights of Tibetan citizens have taken to the streets, disrupting the Olympic Relay in France and San Francisco. These people believe that the Chinese government does not have the right to keep the Tibetan region under their control. In addition to this, demonstrators have spoken out against the exiling of the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. In response to this upheaval, Chinese citizens have called for the embargo of French goods and businesses. Consequently, many have begun to call for a boycott of the Games. I for one, support this rejection for two reasons.

The excuses of the Chinese government for Tibetan subjugation have reached ridiculous proportions. Their propaganda has included the bizarre accusation that the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been encouraging violence. I believe that a boycott of the Beijing Games would force the Chinese government to drop all deception and engage in real, worthwhile negotiations with Tibet.

Secondly, a rejection of these games would send a message in relation to media censorship in China. Should many countries decide to stay away from this year’s Olympic Games, it will be impossible for Hu Jintao to continue to isolate the Chinese state. The exterior forces of the world will be sending a clear message that their input and influence in the world is important and to separate a population from this force is downright cruel.

The Olympic motto states: "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" and it is the responsibility of the international community to ensure that these ideals are resolutely upheld.

-The English Student