Indian national security adviser: world close to "primeval anarchy"

Posted By David Bosco Monday, October 10, 2011 - 3:56 PM Share

Over at Global Dashboard, Richard Gowan highlights a very interesting speech by India's national security advisor, Shiv Shankar Menon. It's a generally gloomy rumination on the state of international law and global governance heavily influenced by classical realist thought. Some key passages:

"[W]hile domestic societies have evolved or are evolving towards rule of law, international society is still much closer to primeval anarchy...

...[W]e seem to be entering a phase of increasing militarization of international relations. Look at recent developments in the Middle East, where conventional air power, covert and Special Forces, and internet social media have been used in new tactical combinations with old fashioned propaganda and international institutions to change regimes and create political outcomes...

...We live in a time where international law remains underdeveloped, international governance is non-existent or weak, and international society is fundamentally anarchic. As a result the role of force in international relations has been magnified. But the age of weapons of mass destruction and newer technologies make it essential that we consider new ways of regulating the use of force in international relations.

Much has been made of the Chinese affinity for realist thought. If this speech is any indication, it has significant appeal in Delhi as well. It's notable that the major powers who use coercive force most often beyond their borders--the Western powers--appear much less inclined to publicly embrace realism than the major powers who do not.

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MIHAI MARTOIU TICU

5:01 AM ET

October 16, 2011

I disagree. Realist thought

I disagree. Realist thought endorses the use of military force, or any method whatsoever to achieve one’s goals. Realism is just a cozy name for Machiavellism. But Shiv Shankar Menon does not endorse the use of power, he pleads for more and stronger International Law: “But the age of weapons of mass destruction and newer technologies make it essential that we consider new ways of regulating the use of force in international relations.”

BOLE1

4:15 PM ET

November 7, 2011

Yes, this is very difficult

Yes, this is very difficult time for humanity. Everybody has a weapons of mass destruction. Awful!
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