How I see the Troubled World Situation
Philip Kotler
Most nations respect national boundaries. They do not seek to absorb or oppress another nation. They rely on their own resources and carrying on fair trade with other nations.
Yet there are a few nations that want to take over, oppress or destroy other nations. These malevolent nations are a key cause of the world’s disorder. Let me name three culprits.
Russia
Instead of joining with their European neighbors, Russia has often taken over some neighbors, such as Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Putin, Russia’s dictator, wants to absorb Ukraine. He can’t tolerate this independent and democratic neighbor. He attacks and bombs them and takes over a 1/3 of Ukraine. It is sad when you realize Russia’s great past contributed so much to world literature, music, dance, science and technology. Russia was the first test case of Marxian socialism. True, Russia’s economy made many products of poor quality in comparison to the products of its Nordic neighbors and Germany. In their socialism, Russia repressed individual freedom and replaced it with group thought control. Russia spends much of its resources on military armament and relatively less on improving the lives of its citizens.
Iran
Iran grew from the earlier remarkable Persian civilization. Iran had poets and scientists and a more educated population than most of its Middle East neighbors. In the 1970s, an oil boom brought significant wealth to Iran. The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, funded ambitious development to modernize the country. By the late 1970s, protests erupted and the Shah fled and Ayatollah Khomeini established the Islamic Republic in 1979 and became the supreme leader. He ushered in a theocratic government based on Islamic principles. Today the Iranian regime routinely punishes activists and minorities and keeps thousands of prisoners. The Islamic Republic supports anti-Western groups and aims to acquire nuclear weapons and destroy Israel and achieve dominance or control of other Middle East nations.
North Korea
A unified Korea suffered under Japanese colonial rule for 35 years. Japan’s rule of Korea ended at the end of World War II. Korea was split into two countries at the 38th parallel. Most middle-class Koreans fled south of the 38th parallel and established South Korea with the aid of the U.S. The Korean War (1950–53), which killed 2.5 million people, destroyed almost every city in North Korea. North Korea received the support of Russia and China. Since 1953, South and North Korea became “hermetically sealed” and each took a different path toward development. South Korea developed into a major economic power. In 1948, Kim Il-Sung was installed as North Korea’s leader. He and his family offspring have dictated North Korea’s subsequent development. North Korea is currently headed by Kim Jong-un whose intention is to build nuclear weapons capable of reaching the U.S. and Europe. He is currently supported by Russia’s Putin. South Korea and the rest of the world remain uneasy about North Korea’s intentions.
What Can be Done with Malevolent Nations?
Nations that want a peaceful world must find ways to restrain or compress malevolent nations. Here are three approaches.
1. Exclude malevolent nations from having membership and a voice at the United Nations. The U.N. should describe their harmful behavior and the conditions under which they could regain their membership in the United Nations.
2. Get other nations to stop buying the goods and services of malevolent nations or to sell them supplies.
3. Organize meetings with malevolent nations to convince them of the benefits they would flow by giving up their malevolent behavior.
Does China also belong in the list of Malevolent Nations?
China has achieved remarkable growth in the last 30 years. Under Deng Xiaoping, China became the world’s fastest-growing major economy with growth rates averaging 10% over 30 years. China brought 745 million Chinese out of poverty. It has become the world’s main factory producing common goods such as textiles, clothing, household items and electric appliances. China has helped many underdeveloped economies obtain highways, bridges, trains and infrastructure through its “belt and road” initiative. China has heavily invested is improving its citizen’s literacy and technical and scientific capability. Chinese workers and businesspeople are active all over the world. China has found a way to accomplish its goals without needing to take over other countries.
Does the U.S. belong in the list of Malevolent Nations?
This is a surprising but interesting question. Listening to Donald Trump, the U.S. may be moving toward international malevolence. Trump talks about taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal and wanting Canada to seriously consider becoming the 51st state. So far this is only talk. A more major malevolent move is Trump’s tariff policy that has other nations quivering. He talks about a 100% tariff on China, a 35% tariff on Canada, a 39% tariff on peaceful Switzerland. This is the behavior of a “bully” nation beggaring its neighbors. Most economists worry that the U.S. trade policies will bring in worldwide recession, inflation and stagflation, hurting the whole world including the U.S.
Does Israel belong in the list of Malevolent Nations?
Israel was formed to give world Jews a safe place after Germany’s brutal holocaust. From Israel’s beginning, Arab nations fought to destroy Israel. Israel survived and became a center of science, enlightenment and humanism. Egypt and a few other Arab countries made peace with Israel and benefitted through trade. Israel allowed Arabs living in Israel to vote and run for election. The vicious armed attack by Hamas, a Palestinian group, on October 7, 2023, led Israel to rearm and attack Gaza. Israel, under its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to destroy Hamas. Israel has afflicted much pain on ordinary Palestinians. Its occupation of Gaza so far is largely defensive rather than aiming to absorb Gaza.
Give Peace a Chance
If all nations were run by rational leaders, they would all agree that universal peace would produce a higher level of prosperity and wealth for all nations. A malevolent nation needs to be shunned by trying to improve its own fortune at a high cost to several other nations. Those nations hurt by a malevolent nation need to band together to prevent resources flowing into the malevolent nation. Hopefully the United Nations will promote and facilitate the rise of posse groups of nations organizing to repress or unhinge nations practicing anti-social behavior.
