Every era produces distinctive kind of leaders and we are now seeing the emergence of those who practise “a personalised style of dictatorship”, observed M.K. Narayanan, former national security advisor (NSA) to Government of India. He was speaking at Synergia Conclave 2019 in the city on Thursday.
The nature of new leadership and resurgence of nationalism in the world was a concern expressed by multiple strategic thinkers at the conclave.
“Today, we have more authoritarian protectionist leaders in the world that is also found wanting in its professionalism. In the last few decades, we postulated it would be the age of technocrats. But the exact opposite has happened, giving rise to populist leaders,” said Uzi Arad, former national security advisor to Government of Israel.
As the new economic order has failed to give dividends to societies, the promises regimes are making on the economic front is only exponentially increasing, observed Shivashankar Menon, former national security advisor, Government of India. He predicted a global economic slowdown, which he said was inevitable. “When we want more of stability and conflict-resolution capability, the world is probably at its lowest capacity in this department ever since the 1930s,” he said.
In the 21st Century, ideologies and ideas are being given short shrift. While the 20th Century was dominated by the fight between ideas and ideologies, 21st Century has not seen the emergence of any new idea and “this vacuum is being filled by nationalism,” said Mr. Narayanan.
“The degree of inter-related nature of countries, economies and technology should have paved way for a new era of peace. But once you strip away this garb, we are in a difficult age. With the near-death of globalisation, the worst is yet to come,” he said, painting a bleak picture.
