Zeitgeist is a German word which means, “spirit of the time, or spirit of the age”. It refers to the general intellectual, moral, cultural, and political climate or “vibe” that defines a specific period in history. Let us see what have been zeitgeist of various eras:
1. Ancient Classical Era (800 BCE–500 CE)
Wisdom, order and civic virtue ie a good society is built on wisdom, virtue and order.
2. Medieval Era (500–1500) Faith, tradition and divine order ie life and society should conform to a higher divine order.
3. Renaissance (14th–16th centuries) Human potential and rediscovery ie human beings can understand, create and transform their world.
4. Enlightenment (17th–18th centuries) Reason, liberty and progress ie human reason can improve society and political institutions.
5. Industrial and Nationalist Era (18th–19th centuries) Progress, production and national identity ie nations and societies can advance through industry, innovation and collective identity.
6. Early 20th Century (1900–1945) Mass mobilisation, ideological struggle and crisis ie the future depends on the struggle between competing political and social systems.
7. Post-war and 1960s Era (1945–1970s) Reconstruction, emancipation and mass prosperity ie society can be rebuilt to deliver greater equality, freedom and security.
8. Late 20th Century (1980s–1990s) Markets, individualism and globalisation ie open markets, individual initiative and international integration can generate prosperity.
9. Early Digital Age (2000–2015) Connectivity and possibility ie information and connectivity can make the world more accessible and interconnected.
10. Contemporary Digital Era (2015–todate) Contestation, identity and uncertainty ie the struggle is increasingly over information, identity, trust and who gets to define reality.
An analysis of the evolution of zeitgeist highlights that humankind has transitioned from morals, civic virtue, wisdom to madness and craziness. The mad, mad, mad World of 1960s is now the crazy, crazy, crazy World. An unjust and unfair World has never been so unjust and unfair as it is today. Present times are being called as post-motality era. May be the World is completing a cycle and now comes to realise that religion cannot be divorced from a human’s life.
VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) falls very close to my definition of contemporary zeitgeist which is marked by disruption, division, confusion, chaos and potential atrophy of institutions and societies. These characteristics of contemporary zeitgeist can also be called 5Ds (Disruption, Division, Disorder, Disoerientation and Decay). All three models mean the same. In today’s modern times the change has become so rapid, one is reminded of Lenin that we have ‘weeks where decades happen’. The world dominated by capatilism has sharpened the division between Haves and Havenots. Money is concentrated with less than 10%, there is technological displacement, unequal distribution of gains and unequal access to opportunities
This all has created a disequilibrium in the global system. Besides this the global transition of power from the West to the East and from the US to China has also created latent atrophy of global systems. In these defining times a mercurial leader is ruling the declining power. On the whole there is a matrix of madness in the world with no method in site.
Chaos of the Middle East has put complete World under stress, whereas underdeveloped countries will be worst affected.
An economically, politically, security-wise and geostrategically vulnerable Pakistan needs a crash action. Leadership out to take masses in the loop to brace for the future. The house needs to put in order based on aspirations of the people. These are the times where leadership and the masses ought to be in tandem with each other and not at a tangent. People’s support and approval provides strength to the leadership. Without this support leadership becomes vulnerable to exploitation.
Pakistan has seen conflict for many decades which has played havoc with DNA, strategic culture and bodypolitic of the country. Unless we relentlessly seek and pursue peace and stability our downward slide may not end. Pakistan needs a strong political leadership approved by the masses and supported by the strong military. The last half-a-decade has seen so much of conflict, infighting, instability and chaos that it has rendered the country even more vulnerable.
Mitigation of conflict in and around Pakistan is essentially needed. Present trajectory portends conflict for couple of decades. Improvement of relations with neighbors and segments within society is essential to this end. People centric policies will give a much needed soothing touch to agitated, yearning and anxious masses. Meritocracy, rule of law, justice, fair play, Constitutional governance cannot be over emphasised.
A nation which has seen conflict for half of its life, is presented with an opportunity for economic growth. However, it warrants strategic reorientation. Pakistan should gradually take the direction where it’s future lies. Pakistan’s destiny is tied to China and I call it MAD (mutually assured destiny)
Long live Pakistan. Long live people of Pakistan. Long live armed forces of Pakistan. Long live Pak-China Dosti.
Having been brought up by dedicated parents and nurtured by Military College Jhelum, a young aspirant lad joined Junior Cadet Battalion Abbottabad (part of Pakistan Military Academy: PMA) in 1980. PMA, brought up the best in him and transformed him into an officer & a gentleman and passed him out with President’s Gold Medal in 1985. There was no looking back. My 34 year journey of proud soldiering comes to an end. I had an old desire to spend my last day in uniform at my alma mater. Allah blessed my desire and passing out of 140 Long Course coincided with my last day in uniform ie 12 Oct 2019. I had a great day of my life at my alma mater, witnessed parade and relived my time. It was overpowering of deja vu, nostalgia, and reminiscence. I relived my memories associated to each place in PMA. My spouse and children joined me on this day. Thanks to PMA, to Pakistan Army and to Pakistan my beloved country. Pakistan Zindabad
