Re: geopolitics

["Johannes Schneider" <Johannes.Schneider@xxxxxxx>]

Macdonald asked:

> I am hoping someone knows of a database of states which includes a brief
> synopsis of state-to-state relations globally.
>
> For example, let's say one wants to know what the official Nepali stance
towards
> India is- where can I go to check on this?
>
> Perhaps this is a dream idea, but then again the internet is huge.
>

Hi Macdonald,

interesting idea, but I fear there is no such thing, because international
relations do not strictly follow simple Boolean algebra ( the enemy of my
enemy is my friend ).

First starting point might be the websites of the foreign ministries, but I
fear the hard issues will be hidden behind diplomatic phrases. Furthermore
they will tend to give a static view of a given situation, but what really
counts is the development of relations (are they getting more friendly or
more hostile, think for example of Nixon's visit to China).

Since there is no simple database, you will still have to follow the
mainstream press of respective countries and the journals dealing with
strategic issues. Most should be availbale on the Internet (at least
abstracts, you will easily find the article in your university library).

Certainly few rules of the thumb will help. E.g. take South Asia, there is
traditionally an Indian-Russian axis as opposed to an China-Pakistan-US
axis, smaller states in the region like Nepal and Afghanistan beeing the
battleground for the bigger ones. The imperialist principle of divide and
rule can be seen clearly here.

>From a geopolitic point of view Nepal certainly is a buffer state between
India and China with strong Indian influence. Another general pattern can be
seen in Nepal as well: some political forces are used as a tool of the
bigger states. E.g. the Maoists accused India of beeing behind a conspiracy
to kill the royal family, whereas Indian papers have accused the Neapali
Maoists of beeing tools of China and Pakistan.

Certainly geopolitics are important for understanding how imperialism works
in detail, but their are limitations: Think of Europe in WW I, the Russian
revolution changed the whole situation, making all geopolitic considerations
void within a few days. This clearly shows that the class struggle is the
decisive factor and not the idea of 'progressive' and 'reactionary' peoples.

This means: While it is important to analyze what are US, British, Chinese
or Indian interests in Nepal the decisive fact remains the struggle of the
Nepali peasants against the state: Through which political forces is it
expressed, what is the strategy and tactics, what are the allies, what are
the demands.

Cheers

Johannes