Structural drivers of perpetual conflict in global geopolitics
Original framing: “Looming fears of a forever war” — The Hindu
The idea of 'forever war' has deep historical roots in colonial and imperial conflicts. From the Roman Empire to British colonialism, perpetual war has been a tool of control and resource extraction. Understanding these historical patterns is key to recognizing how modern conflicts are similarly structured.
The narrative of a 'forever war' is not a natural state but a systemic outcome of economic exploitation, geopolitical competition, and historical legacies of colonialism.
Indigenous and non-Western perspectives offer alternative frameworks for understanding and resolving conflict, emphasizing balance and community over power and control. By integrating these insights with scientific analysis, economic reform, and cross-cultural dialogue, we can move toward a more just and peaceful global order. The role of the trickster in this context is to challenge the illusion of perpetual war as inevitable and to expose the structures that sustain it. Only through a holistic, systemic approach can we begin to break the cycle.