Contradictory and complex pulls

Significantly, the paradigm shift from singular, individual states to regional collectivity, as is the European Union's current exercise, results in a world order which veers towards a holistic approach in global politics. For too long has there been selfish individualism running rampant into a lopsided power balance enabling some states the monopoly of hegemonic control over others.

Individual states exist in a mindset of selfish motives with one over riding the other in pursuit of exclusive power niches while a regional collectivity helps defuse inter-state tensions.

Thus while individual states living and thriving on their own, need re-thinking and re-alignment, ethnic groups within states should be facilitated into existing on their own practising whatever comes as their socio-cultural and religious inheritance.

If power diffusion is one collectivity's aim, power consolidation is the lot of the other collectivity. One moves into equality and social justice while the other breeds inequality denying minority rights. Yet, such rights denial is "to be endured" for any uprising against such is seen as "terror". Progressive discrimination is something "expected to be lived with" while a reprisal is labelled "anti-democratic."

Seemingly, the world's worst ethno/religious hot beds are places where heightened discrimination is evident. Whether radicalization of individuals, communities and religious groups springs out of nothing - as is portrayed - needs to be thought about.

Talking of radicalization, even individuals become so amid adversely hostile environmental conditions. Least said then about social groups. Decades of endurance against discrimination drives any social group to the very limits and the boiling pot becomes a cauldron only to end up in a blood pool.

The forming of communal collectivity within states into a power centred nucleus of a unitary system has fostered majoritarianism creating a power imbalance culminating in minority frustration.

While regional collectivity of states defuses power strongholds, the communal collectivity in unitary states has only fostered majoritarianism.

The states' collectivity, as is the European Union, has now a common currency and more into unrestricted travel minus trappings, such as visas and passports, while the communal collectivity within states is cracking and seeking autonomy while travel itself within the state by and large would not allow an unlicensed visit into its territorial control.

The EUs much sought after commonality and sharing lifestyle defuses societal tensions into more peaceful environs. The commonality sought by a regional collectivity is far different from what we see as commonality sought after by some unitary states. This commonality these unitary states are into is the forced acceptance by others of the importance among other things of a majority religion given constitutional precedence which the Indian constitution has carefully avoided.

Dominance and egalitarianism are not twin brothers. Integration itself becomes a non-reality amid dominance and force. Seeking communal unity under such environs is a long lost myth when ethnic groups tend to uphold what is theirs by way of religion and language as being primarily important.

Legislative inaction into unfair legislation that hurdles minority aspirations often leads to communal conflagration over a period of time.

Individuals of minority groups that uphold the status quo are favoured for their non-dissent and ever conforming state that upholds all status quo.

In fact they are even termed as 'moderates' while within their ethno/religious enclave, such 'moderates' invite much wrath and remain to be called traitors - a situation far removed from the hackneyed expression, "what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander."

Even in such thoughts are embodied the upholding of a status quo however unpalatable. Be it sexism, male chauvinism, majority rule, forces coming off wealth and position all remain contributory factors to the strong/weak dichotomy is sauce of the goose to be forced upon as sauce for the gander - the expression itself not coming off nothing.

So we can take cue from the EUs establishment in intra state management in upholding universalist ideals and a more holistic one at that to benefit communal harmony and national growth.

To arrive at such state a compelling necessity is the revamping of the entire education system worldwide. Whether a highly divisive education system could arrive at egalitarianism - a necessary ingredient into social development is still to be seen.