More than that, it is a regression from the "One world, one citizen" idealism. Humans cannot change that fast, not in half a century. Might and power are the essence of pride for societies and individuals. Diplomacies and treaties are meant to be broken and rolled over, as long as one is blessed with the might. Why bother to negotiate if one has the power to take it all.
Here are two recent examples where the frothy fervor of nationalism and superiority complex dominated a society, so much so that the society became oblivious to common sense and ethics. Both can be attributed gloriously for the access and control of oil, for the future of its industry and for national interest.
It was during the heyday of 1936-1945 Germany. It was prosperity time, thanks to the fuhrer's programs. It was also period of the great propaganda machine where the Party took control of every area of life (all books and newspapers, films and radio programs) and any sign of complaint could lead to arrest or complete disappearance. They have goons of supporters to make sure the Party controls people's ideas, and control what people read, looked at, and listened to.
The German Army was well armed and had new tactics of warfare where tanks were used in large numbers to smash through enemy positions; dive-bombers would hit specific targets, paratroops would drop behind enemy lines and mechanised infantry would follow up attacks. It is known as "Blitzkrieg", or lightning war and that German armed forces was regarded as almost invincible. What did they do with it?
First the Treaty of Versailles was reneged. Nationalism dictated that the Rhineland was to be reoccupied, followed by Anschluss and then fought for the freedom of Sudeten Germans. The military machine was going so well and there was hardly any resistacne, so they tore up the Munich Agreement and occupied Western Csechoslovakia, and so on.
In September 1939 the German Army attacked and defeated Poland in three weeks. In the spring and early summer of 1940, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France were all forced to surrender. In 1941 German armies conquered most of the Balkans, North Africa and huge areas of the Soviet Union. By 1942, Rommel's "Afrika Korps" were about to invade Egypt and capture the Suez Canal and the oil fields of the Middle East. Many of the countries that were attacked were small and had few military resources.
During all this time, a segment of the population (the Jews) in Germany started to be prosecuted in 1938, first by making them second class citizens and later sent to concentration and extermination camps. No matter, no question, no ethics, no compassion, no humanity. They were all done with nationalism fervors and all for the good of Germans and Germany. The propaganda machine was getting utmost and great support from the population. The Party said "Rah!", and the population replied "Rah, Rah". Party then said "Rah!, rah!, rah!", and population proudly supported the chants. It was a cresendo of support! Good life, great military machine, and on top of the world. They were on their way of becoming the police of the world, and most Germans had strong nationalistic pride for it.
So much so, that there was common expression (a joke) running around the society, like this: "Oh, what a lovely lampshade! Is it made from human skin?"
Over on the Pacific, like Germany, 1930's Japan had a powerful army that became the most important influence in the country's society and took more and more of the decisions. It led to the invasion of Manchuria in 1933. They too left the League of Nations and unilaterally attacked Shanghai in 1937. The plan was to become the empire in South East Asia, the "Greater South East Asia C-prosperity Sphere". The key factor was oil among other natural resources for its industrial complex. The key to the Japanese success in 1941 - 1942 was the use of aircraft carriers, the main strike force of the navy. Battles were won by destroying the enemy's carriers. In January 1942 two large British warships, the "Prince of Wales" and the "Repulse" were completely overwhelmed by Japanese carrier-borne aircraft and sunk. British forces in South East Asia collapsed very quickly. Singapore surrendered in February 1942, despite having new defences built before the war and a garrison of 130,000 British troops. Japan also knocked out US Pacific Fleet and had occupied most of the South West Pacific. Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea had all been occupied. It was all for the glory of oii and other natural resources and its industry. |
