(This was written a few weeks ago but holds true all the time. Only the names and countries change.)
As I sat watching a late night discussion on the TV, a tiny alien flopped on the chair next to me with a musical tinkle. Before I could register my surprise at the handsome Alien, he said, “Relax, we have been receiving some strange high frequency signals from your planet. I have come to here to find what exactly is going on”.
Of all the creatures on the planet, he had come to me, the Ignoramus! What do we, the people know? So off we went to The Wise Master for the answers. The Master welcomed us and the TV flashed the breaking news:
“U.S. President George Bush calls on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to inform him of the sale of F16s to Pakistan. Manmohan Singh expresses displeasure and says that such a move will escalate tension and arms race in the region.”
There was a barrage of questions from the Alien, “Who is George Bush? Who is Manmohan Singh? Who is Pakistan? What is F16?...”
The Master spoke patiently, “Our beautiful planet Earth is divided into many countries.”
“What are countries?” the Alien interrupted.
“We draw a boundary on the land. The people within one boundary belong to one country while, the people within another boundary belong to another country. The master drew a few closed lines on the floor to illustrate. Now for a moment, let us say that you belong to a country called Pakistan, Ignoramus here belongs to India and I belong to the U.S. When you belong to a country you must love the people your own country and hate every one else. You can even kill them in the name of freedom, human rights, democracy as and when required.”
“But why must I kill the other people?” asked the surprised Alien.
“Because you must be patriotic.” said the master.
“But why must I hate the people of my own species?” persisted the Alien.
“Because when you hate others you will be suspicious and insecure and so will the people in the other countries. And when you feel insecure, you will buy weapons and planes like F16 to drop nuclear bombs, from a rich and powerful country. You naturally want to defend your self, don’t you? And what will your neighboring countries do? They will also start shopping for more powerful weapons and planes. This is known as ‘Balance of Power’”, said the Master.
Just then the news broke again:
“U.S. offers ‘F16, F18s and cooperation in Nuclear Power Sector for Peace’ to India also.”
“But no where in any universe do the people of the same species kill their own species for nothing!!! After all a boundary can not make any difference?” wailed the Alien.
“You do not understand! What about the Economy of the Rich and Powerful countries? The people in these countries need jobs. When India and Pakistan both buy F16s and other assorted weapons from rich countries, the people in these countries will get more jobs. They will be happy. See, how we bring happiness into so many lives!
The Rich countries can sell their Obsolete Weapons and Technologies to the Developing and Impoverished countries. The Developing and Impoverished countries are happy because they have weapons to defend themselves. They vie with each other and scramble to buy any old weapon that gives them a sense of security. They feel proud of their arsenal. How does it matter if they become more impoverished in the process? That is a minor matter.
The Rich and Powerful countries can then use all that money to make even better weapons so that they can bring Peace and Democracy to the whole world. The whole cycle can be repeated endlessly.”
“Weapons to bring peace!?! What if the people in different countries stop hating each other?” cried the Alien.
“Ah! That we must not allow. We can easily use diplomatic pressure, psychological paranoia and well designed propaganda to ensure that all countries behave in the manner that is expected. We are the Wisest of all species on this planet. Look at our Technology, our Economy our Governance! But you must rest now. You are our honoured guest. Ignoramus and I shall show you our beautiful planet after you have dined and relaxed. You have a lot to learn yet.”
