'The Western Mind Is Confused At Asia's Rise'
14 Apr 2008, 0000 hrs IST,Subodh Varma
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion

Having served as a diplomat for Singapore for 33 years, Kishore Mahbubani is now a well-respected figure among western intellectual circles, mainly because of his prolific writings on world affairs. His new book explains why and how Asia is rising, and what the West should do about it. Subodh Varma talked to him recently in Delhi:

Q: Why is Asia rising now?

Japan started it off in the 1860s, by adopting the principles of free market as spelt out by Adam Smith. Then, through a gradual process of a ripple effect, it spread to neighbouring countries like Korea, then the Asian Tigers, then the ASEAN countries, then China, and now India. Now, India will have an effect on West Asia.

Q: Why did Europe or the US not have the same ripple effect?

Actually, the US did have an effect. It is responsible for the East Asian success stories. But the European psyche is different, it doesn't share. They dominated the world at one time, yet they could not bring about economic success even in North Africa, just across the Mediterranean. The influence of the US started waning after the end of the Cold War. Till then they had a coherent policy. Subsequently, they started behaving impulsively, unilaterally. Iraq is an example of this.

Q: How does the West react to Asia's rise?

The western mind is confused at Asia's rise. In theory, they welcome it. But they are uncomfortable with sharing power. The West is no longer in charge. There is a deep angst among western people. A plastic moment has come when a transition is taking place.

Q: What changes are required to be made in the West?

Some institutional changes are needed. Asian countries should be given leadership in the World Bank, IMF and the UN Security Council. But the most important thing is a change in mindset. The West has to remain true to its own democratic principles. A mere 12 per cent of the world's population cannot run the entire world. They have to listen to the voices from around the globe.

Q:What is India's role in the new dynamic?

India has the biggest stake in a liberal international order. China and India have been the biggest beneficiaries of this. India has to emerge as the custodian of this order. The world expects India to do so. This will include taking the lead in resolving pending issues like the Doha Round.

Q: Since Asia is borrowing so much from the West, will it become a clone?

Asia has benefited immensely from the western seven pillars of wisdom — free market, science and technology, meritocracy, pragmatism, culture of peace, rule of law and education. However, as each Asian country becomes prosperous there also occurs a cultural renaissance, a reconnection with its own past. So, it does not become a clone of the West.

The New Raj
By Augusto Pinto
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3286&cid=14

Dears, I rode my Thunderbird into Moira Petrol Station and was greeted with a “Damn the Brits!!” by its sprightly 80 year old sole proprietor cum attendant, Cal. Cal’s actual name is Valentine but everyone calls him Cal and not Val because he’s a calculating old bird. He can calculate exactly how much he can adulterate the gas without running afoul of the authorities. “What’s with you Cal, why should we damn the Brits? Half my relatives and yours are Brits. Don’t damn them.” Cal is an ex-Afrikander and he calls me Toto which means child in Swahili. “Yes we should Toto. And damn all you Moidekars too!! Don’t you realise they are taking over the village, man?” “Hey cool it Cal, and just give me the gas” I said. Cal shoved the nozzle of the petrol dispenser into my tank and continued, “Do you know Toto,there is this Brit who has built the a replica of the Windsor Castle in Moira, and he races up and down the narrow roads in his Sherman-tank-like-Bolero scattering the Moidecars like chaff before the wind. And what do the Moidekars do?”

“Nothing” I said, “What’s the harm in him zipping around the village at top speed? At most he could bump off a couple of kids. They’re pests anyway” Cal continued unmindful, “And now, you know what, Toto - he’s building a moat round the castle.” “Why does he want to do that, Cal?” “You know what these Brits are like, Toto - they just love lolling around in the water. That moat is a swimming pool.” “Good idea, especially in this heat” I said, “And where do you think the water will come from, Toto? As it is the villagers are complaining that the wells are drying up, and the Govt. tankers are not getting us water in time”

“Let him be, Cal - obviously he has the Pounds get the water. And in any case the authorities have probably given him permission to build a moat.” “Damn the authorities!” said Cal, “They’ve given him permission to build a sump - not a moat or a pool.”

“Same thing”, I said. “And he’s probably paid good money to get his permissions” He yelled, “So as long as he pays someone money, all these lafdas are okay with you, is it? Tomorrow they’ll give him permission to open a hotel and he’ll open a brothel Is that okay with you too?” Why’s the old bird whingeing, I thought - that seems like a pretty good idea to me. Val went on, “And if you think he’s just the lone exception, think again. There’s a new Acrid housing project coming up, just opposite the Lourdes Chapel.” “How nice” I said, “So we’ll be getting new neighbours”

“Yes, nice new pink skinned neighbours”, he said. I protested, “You’re being racist, Cal. It’s not politically correct to speak about human beings like this.” “Damn you and your politically correct speech!!” he roared. “Do you want another Raj? Do you want to be swamped by the Brits? Or for that matter, by the Russians and the Israelis?”

“How can you be so sure that the foreigners will be taking over, Cal?” “At starting prices of 2.5 crore who else can afford such places? And even if a couple of Indians buy up, I bet you they’ll be as bad as the Brits. May be worse! Do you know, each of those bungalows has a separate swimming pool? Where’s the water going to come from? Do you know what we’re in for Toto?” “What Cal?” I asked. He replied. “The congregation that comes for Sunday mass will no longer be listening to the Padre’s sermons” “What will they be doing Cal?” I asked. “They’ll all be staring at the Brits and Israelis and Russians sunbathing in the nude. There’ll be no shame left, I tell you.” As I kick started the old Thunderbird, I thought about the prospect. And it seemed good. What do you say, dears?

Cheers!!