Powerless and atomized: the left trapped by the logic of Realpolitik

chandon

Indeed, the antagonism of the great powers, whose conflicting interests collide within the UN , prevents the organization from functioning effectively, as illustrated – Nguyen points out – by the UN 's inability to stop the war in Gaza.  (presented to the Security Council by Brazil and supported by France and Japan) calling on Israel to stop its military operation and facilitate humanitarian corridors. As a result, El Kurd and Hioe add, the international security principles established after the Second World War are used very selectively, and countries like Taiwan or Palestine do not receive enough international aid.

The UN stalemate whets the appetite of imperialist states, especially Russia, which, Artiukh claims, has declared its messianic goal of changing the world order. According to the researcher, the Russian State in fact reproduces US policy in Afghanistan and Iraq and claims Depository Institutions Email List role of "fairer" world sovereign than the US . However, the consequences of Russian interventions are no less catastrophic. Despite this, says Nguyen, the UN today constitutes the only mechanism that makes it possible for countries in the global South to report the aggressions they suffer. International law grants legitimacy to postcolonial countries in conflicts with great powers. For example, Vietnam, in its territorial waters dispute with China, understandably avoids a military solution, preferring instead to appeal to international institutions. Nguyen emphasizesOutside the UN system , Palestinians have no mechanisms through which to realize their right to self-determination and build a state. The same is true in the case of Ukraine: despite limited humanitarian aid, the UN system is the only real way for the country to denounce Russian aggression against it.

               



The weakness of the UN obviously requires the development of alternatives that contribute to the establishment of a just peace without imperialism. However, on the path that leads to these alternatives, the left faces colossal obstacles, among which its lack of political power stands out. Nguyen notes:As for the possibility of progressive changes, I think the left's problems go beyond a lack of vision. They also have to do with reality: a reality in which it is impossible to implement a specific vision on an international scale. To achieve this, you need political power, representation through political parties, governments that can turn an alternative vision into action.