New Caledonia referendum a harbinger of violence? Decolonization and self determination during a time of global crisis and chaos brought on by climate change, a global pandemic and global economic insecurity and transition.
Sounds familiar.
While this analysis is from the perspective of France’s regional interests, I don’t see any evidence of acknowledgement of adversaries and possible annexation. The splintering of nations during a time of great crisis occurred before WW2.
Review maps of Europe, Middle East & Asia in 1918-1923.
During the global Spanish Flu pandemic that killed estimated 100 million people, several European, Middle East and Asian ethnic groups asserted independence. But hegemony shaped national boundaries through treaties.
Self determination is the goal. But superpowers don’t recognize self determination and nationhood of smaller ethnic states.
Within four years, the map was revised repeatedly while ethnic groups and hegemon powers jockeyed for control of resources and political influence.
Several small independent nations were created & then swallowed in a very short period of time due to annexation wars or treaties imposed by the major powers of the allies.
Britain, France, Soviet Union & the US shaped the region post WW1 based on their political interests.
Self determination was the myth sold by hegemonic powers to create chaos and disunity.
Divide and conquer. It’s the oldest trick in the book of war.
Read some history.
There are hegemonic powers doing the exact same right now. We can ignore it and dream of independence.
Or we can acknowledge it and use a different strategy to maintain democratic governance.
Because that’s what is at stake.
Every contemporary hegemon is competing for influence and control. In a global context, self determination & national sovereignty is being used to divide.
What happened at the end of the four year period post WW1?
Fascists in Italy and Nazis in Germany, and Communists in Soviet Union regrouped and built support among the masses. They began to assert their power.
What happened immediately in the post war period? Expansion of territory by annexation.
Russia maintained its troops in war in 1917 despite the revolution. Instability of leadership by the Russian Provisional Govt lead to the Bolsheviks’s
(lead by Lenin) power grab.
The civil war did not halt the annexation of smaller independent nations. The Soviet Union’s intent was to spread communism across the globe. Several communist uprisings resulted across Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Creating chaos & unrest during the post war period.
Know your history folks. You don’t need to read volumes. Modern technology has availed us of resources that explain salient details of the period between world wars. Use it to educate yourself. We don’t have the luxury to repeat past mistakes. omniatlas.com/maps/europe/19…
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