THE BATTLE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

Written by Dr. Yordan Hristov; Originally appeared at A-specto, translated by Valentina Tzoneva exclusively for SouthFront

Today we live in a time of dramatic global conflict. The two warring camps are clearly shaped. One camp is headed by the United States and the other one by Russia. So, where are the roots of the conflict and what are they fighting for? Many people are confused because it is not entirely clear. To understand the essence of the events, we need to know that, as always in history, there is a clash of ideas before the battlefield. There is an incompatibility of vision on what the order in the world and the future of humanity should be. This applies to the events of today.

Let’s look at some widely circulated explanations before we find the answer. According to some, the conflict is between the presidents of the US and Russia. However, this is not serious. Others argue that we are witnessing a war between Christianity and radical Islam. Or, that it is a battle of the progressive forces against terrorism. These statements do not correspond to the truth. Essentially, today’s conflict is neither religious nor national. Religious, national and ethnic differences between people are only a means to prevail over the opponents. The logo for the war against terrorism is also a cover for achieving certain goals. More truth lies in the assertion that there is a clash between the global policies of the US and Russia, but this response also slides across the surface. The policies of these two countries are simply an expression of the ideas and interests of different forces. Another opinion is that in today’s world there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor. The battle is between the oligarchs and the robbed, between the enslaved and the tyrants. There is some truth in this, but we have to clarify. It is about the struggle of ordinary people against the power of the big-bank-capital and powerful transnational corporations. It is true, but it does not completely reach the essence of things. The truth is that today the world is burning in an epic, titanic conflict. Two diametrically opposed worlds grappled in a fierce battle of life and death; the battle for the minds of the man of the future. It is the most important battle in which all methods and means are allowed. How we live and how our descendants’ generations will live after us depends on the outcome of this grand battle. But what are these worlds??

The contours of the first world are already outlined clearly. This will be a world in which the world’s population will be placed under full control: people will be monitored, wiretapped and spied on in various ways. All national, cultural, racial and other differences between them will be erased. Everything human will be irretrievably broken: 99% of people on the planet will be reduced to their animal functions. This gray mass will serve a corporate planetary ‘elite’, limited in size, out of touch with reality, that will rule forever. George Orwell in ‘1984’ has described precisely this world order: “A world of fear, treachery and torment, a world in which you trample others and they trample you, a world that in the process of improving will be not less but more ruthless. The progress in our world will be progress towards more pain. The past civilizations claimed to be based on love and justice. Ours is based on hatred. In our world there will be no other emotions except fear, rage, triumph and self-abasement. We will destroy all the rest, everything. We are already destroying the mentality from before the revolution. We broke the bonds between parents and children, between a man and another man, between man and woman. No one dares to trust a husband, a child or a friend. In the future, there will be no wives and friends. Children will be taken away from their mothers at birth like the egg is taken from the chicken.” And again: “There will be no love, except the Big Brother love. There will be no laughter, except for triumphant exultation over the vanquished foe. There will be no art, no literature, no science. When we become omnipotent we will no longer have a need for science. There will be no distinction between beauty and ugliness. There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always – do not forget this, Winston – always there will be the intoxication of power, which will gradually grow and develop. Always, at any time, the excitement of victory will dominate the sensation of trampling the hapless foe. If you want to imagine the future, imagine a boot, smashing a human face – forever.” But Orwell was wrong about one thing: the described world will not be built on socialism as he had predicted. This world will be built on capitalism because capitalism enshrines selfishness and greed and tears apart relationships between people. Does it look terrifying?? You think that all this cannot happen? You are mistaken. Most terrible things happen precisely when no one believes they will happen; when no one assumes that people are able to fall below the level of the animals; when the good people do nothing. Now, think about this. When was the last time you spoke to your parents? Do you know the neighbor living on your floor? How long ago did you read a book? Have you recently done something good without expecting anything in return? Can you not see that today we are all like sleepwalkers, clinging for survival? Can you not see that the connections between people have largely been broken, even marriage has turned into a mutually beneficial deal? Do you still think that everything described cannot happen?? Not only is it possible; this world is materializing before our eyes. And there is no magic in achieving it as powerful corporate interests are doing everything possible to make it a reality.

The second world is the complete opposite of the first. The people in this world are different. Cultural, national, religious, racial and other differences, however, will not prevent people across the planet to live in peace and understanding with each other. People will help each other and be empathetic to others’ pain; respecting each other. The natural human bonds between parents and children, between spouses and friends will be honored. People will feel love for the clan and the country, for his family and everyone else. Greed, selfishness and arrogance will not be tolerated. This will be a world in which the words ‘honor and dignity’ will have meaning. The managers of this society will not seek personal gain but will work for the good of all people. All important public issues will be resolved through direct democracy and respect for the views of every member of society. In this world, there will be relatively poor and relatively rich, but no one will die from hunger or cold, no one will be exploited. There will be equal opportunities for all, everyone will have access to free education and health, and the natural resources of the planet will be used wisely and with consideration for the future generations. This will be a world that will develop art and a taste for the beautiful and the good. There will be a difference between beauty and ugliness, between talent and banality. This world will develop knowledge and science to make people’s lives better and not to devise methods of destruction and keeping fellows under control. This will be a world of high technology and high morale, a world in which the people will live like brothers and wars will be left in the past. This world can become a reality. Its creation is not as impossible as people make it out. But in order to have this world, we must first ask for it. We must ask to live in this world and we should be ready to fight for it.

These two worlds now fight for a place under the sun. If you look around more carefully, you will see elements of both. Sometimes the dividing line is very thin as any group in a cafe may belong to a different world. However, this cannot continue forever. Whether we want it or not, only one world order will remain. There cannot be and will not be a compromise. This is where the conflict of our time lies. It is still not yet clear who will be the winner, but it is clear that in this battle, no man shall remain unaffected. Today, everyone must make a choice. Each of one of us must choose which of the two worlds to support and for what future to fight. I made my choice. It is time for you to choose yours.