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Does ''We'' Exist?

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Foto: Reuters

When I write about the present or the future, I always tend to use a general “we” to describe the collective of people without concern as to whether homogenous collectives exist or if change will affect each of us in the same way and to the same extent.

Oftentimes I ask myself how artificial intelligence will affect our lives, or how we will survive the changes brought about by the pandemic and use the “we” as though the impact is to be the same for everyone.

Yet, while people are linked as never before through communications technology – satellite and broadband technology, social media, on-line forums, and communications platforms such as Zoom, I believe that we are as divided as we ever have been in our communities, cities, and nations. 

In my view, these divisions appear to be increasing and, as we grow into this new millennium, leaders do not seem able or willing to address this issue.

When we speak of “we”, we do so refer to a monolith united by our common challenges.

Yet, the monolith of humanity is divided into thousands of groups, each with its own values, identities, and worldview.

And, today, despite the advances we have made, each has their own reality that at times contradicts that of others.

Today, many nation states seem to be breaking down along opposing visions. Leaders see the political and electoral value of dividing their people and thus conquering them at the polls. We saw this with Trump and in the American Republican Party as well as with populist leaders like Bolsonaro in Brazil, Modi in India and we are seeing this within Israel.

The current conflict on everyone’s mind has Israeli Arabs opposing Israeli expansionist policies and side with their Palestinian brethren. Siding with them are Israeli Jews on the left who seem to have a fundamentally different view of the essence of the Israeli nation than do those on the right and extreme right.

The collective “we” appears no longer to be applicable.

In the United States, some 85% of Republicans believe that the last election was stolen by President Biden, preferring to support Trump in his big lie rather than accept reality. Meanwhile, many Republican-led state legislatures are legislating to deny millions their right to vote. 

Again, with 45% of the electorate believing fake news, the collective appears to be further divided than ever. How does the American “we” come together and forge a national consensus on key issues? 

The glue that held most nation states together – that of a shared national narrative incorporating a vision of who they were and where they were going or a common enemy – seems to be evaporating. 

Indeed, moderate leaders must find a common challenge – climate change or the post-Covid society – that can bring together a majority of people united to meet this common challenge. 

Absent this, societies will continue to be fractured and little common ground found.

Ultra-right and ultra-left believers and adherents seek support from other like-minded people in other countries rather than seek consensus among their own fellow citizens. This we have governments interfering in the political lives of other countries in support of like-minded groups.

Today’s technology provides governments and their proxies the possibility to hack into another country’s infrastructure causing tens of millions of dollars of losses or sidelining millions of votes. The recent hack of the U.S. pipeline caused economic and social havoc that is still being felt. The hacking of the 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections by Russia or China is yet another example of this new form of warfare.

The lack of “we” in all societies will continue if politicians of all stripes take the easy road and seek to divide the electorate rather than address the challenges facing us to find common ground.

Unless “we” take steps, “we” may well cease to exist.

And with it will go the willingness to seek and shape the consensus that “we” need in order to govern ourselves and tackle the myriad challenges that “we” all face. 


Edición: Laura Espejo


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