THERE ARE QUITE a few countries with border disputes. And, the fights have been ugly, as we know from experience. But, the most civilized response has been that of Canada and Denmark. Hans Island, a bare rock, lies right in the middle of the Nares Strait, which separates Canada and Greenland—an autonomous territory belonging to Denmark. The strait is just 35 kilometres wide, and, so, both countries can claim the island. International waters begin 20 kilometres from the coast.
Now, this is how they fight it out. Canadian forces go to the island, raise their flag and leave a bottle of Canadian whisky. The Danes go there, take down the maple leaf flag, raise theirs, pick up the whisky and leave a bottle of their famous schnapps. This ‘spirited’ argument has been going on for more than 30 years now. Much can be learnt about people, and their culture, by observing how they handle disagreements.
THE WEEK conceived this week’s cover story after following the developments in international politics over a period of two years. The spreading acceptance of the Right brought up horrific images from a time not so long ago. Were we going down that road again? Chief Sub Editor Ajish P. Joy and Photo Editor Sanjoy Ghosh travelled extensively in Europe, meeting academics, politicians and common people. They found that the Right has been rising, but, there also was a strong pushback from various corners.
Sensing this, the Right had softened its traditional hard line to become more accommodative. French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, for example, had a simple message: France is our only home, and you are a French citizen first. That is a message everyone can relate with worldwide. But, the pushback is rooted in fear. Fear stemming from history. And, till the fears remain, the pushback will continue.
Now, why has the ground become fertile for the Right? Interestingly, globalisation is one reason. The little man feels that he has gained nothing from this, while multinational corporations have gained. So, he wants protectionism, which the Right has traditionally provided. Also, migrants to Europe are trying to recreate their homelands there. I find this strange. If you love your home so much, why did you leave it in the first place? Has it occurred to you that the financial/social conditions that attracted you to Europe are rooted in the larger culture and philosophy of the region?
The third reason could be the very nature of the ‘refugee’. Quite a few people entering Europe are neither conflict refugees nor economic refugees. THE WEEK team met an Austrian couple who went to a refugee camp with supplies and used clothes for desperate people who had fled a war zone. What they saw made them change their views. The refugees’ tossed the clothes aside and pulled out their smartphones and started talking to those who had arrived earlier! The phones were expensive than those the couple owned!
Yet, there are refugees with genuine concerns. Many of them will never be able to return to their homeland. This is an issue which should be handled with extreme care. European governments should take the lead in sensitising their citizens about the plight of the refugees, and educating the refugees about European culture. And, they should have a failsafe mechanism to verify the antecedents of the refugees.
Unless they do so, Europe will remain in turmoil, endangering its very future.
