While the term “Culture Wars” often evokes images of domestic tensions surrounding identity politics and social norms, a far more profound and pressing battle rages on the global stage. These are the true culture wars: fundamental clashes over core values such as democracy, justice, the protection of the vulnerable, the upholding of international law, and the intertwined sovereignty of the individual and of nations. In regions gripped by military conflict – from Ukraine and Palestine to Sudan and Myanmar – these values are under direct assault, demanding our urgent attention and a clear-eyed understanding of their imperial underpinnings.
The war in Ukraine, for instance, is not merely a distant geopolitical event; it directly impacts the UK’s economic stability and national security through disrupted energy supplies, strained trade routes, and increased living costs. Our support for Ukraine, including military aid against Russian aggression, highlights a clash of old empires, where Russia seeks to reclaim influence and the West, including the UK, strives to maintain its global standing. From an imperial perspective, sanctions are not just legal instruments but economic tools designed to shape the international order. Crucially, this conflict underscores that while diplomacy is paramount, the capacity to project power is regrettably necessary to defend democratic values against expansionist forces.
Similarly, the Israel-Palestine crisis represents a deeply entrenched wound, with historical roots tracing back to colonial-era decisions like the Balfour Declaration. As the conflict in Gaza escalates, it threatens regional stability and global markets, while also fueling societal divisions closer to home. Through an imperial lens, the ongoing occupation and blockade can be seen as neo-colonial mechanisms for control. In this volatile environment, the ability to protect vulnerable populations and uphold humanitarian principles requires a resolute stance, even as long-term political solutions are pursued.
Even in seemingly distant crises like those in Sudan and Myanmar, the legacy of imperial resource extraction and the pursuit of control by powerful nations continue to fuel instability. While humanitarian aid offers a temporary reprieve, these conflicts expose how resource-rich regions become pawns in a global power game, a game in which the UK has historically played a significant role. In such lawless spaces, the capacity for decisive action, including military intervention when absolutely necessary, may be the only means to halt widespread atrocities and create a foundation for peace.
These global conflicts are not isolated incidents; they are the enduring consequences of power dynamics, both historical and contemporary, driven by the pursuit of resources and control. The UK, despite its rhetoric, remains an active participant in this complex interplay, its historical involvement casting a long shadow. The impact is felt directly, affecting our economy, security, and global standing. To truly comprehend these dynamics, we must view them not as disparate events, but as a continuous struggle over fundamental values and the power to define them.
So, how do we engage with these pressing Culture Wars?
Fostering dialogue, prioritising open communication, even with adversaries, to find common ground. This means seeking understanding and pathways to resolution through persistent engagement rather than isolation.
Upholding law and rights, consistently calling out war crimes and advocating for accountability without exception. International legal frameworks exist to protect human dignity, and their consistent application is vital for global justice.
Addressing root causes, digging deeper than superficial solutions to tackle underlying inequalities and injustices. True stability emerges from confronting the systemic issues that fuel conflict and resentment.
Supporting authentic democracy, promoting inclusive political processes that genuinely respect local cultures and traditions. Democracy, when it is truly representative, provides a peaceful mechanism for resolving differences and empowering populations.
Building alliances, collaborating with international partners and multilateral institutions to foster collective action. Global challenges demand global solutions, and shared responsibility strengthens our collective impact.
Confronting the past, engaging in honest conversations about historical injustices and exploring avenues for reparations. Acknowledging and addressing historical grievances is a necessary step towards reconciliation and lasting peace.
Prioritising humanitarian aid, ensuring rapid and unhindered delivery of assistance to those in crisis, cutting through bureaucracy. In times of conflict, immediate relief for suffering populations is a moral imperative.
Strengthening multilateralism, working through international bodies to address global challenges collectively. These institutions provide vital platforms for cooperation and the development of shared norms and solutions.
Building for the future, promoting sustainable solutions and long-term stability rather than short-term fixes. This involves investing in resilient systems and practices that can withstand future shocks and foster enduring prosperity.
Cultivating defensive strength. Regrettably, sometimes, the only language oppressive powers understand is that of strength. Building a robust, modern military, capable of deterring aggression and defending core values, becomes a necessary, albeit last-resort, component in preserving the space for dialogue and freedom. This capacity is not a glorification of war, but a grim, necessary reality to protect the very freedom of expression that allows for our internal debates to exist.
Beyond these global struggles, the domestic “culture wars” over flags and pronouns, while seemingly distinct, are also fundamentally about power and who defines societal norms. Through an imperial lens, these internal debates can be seen as echoes of historical power struggles. The UK’s historical role, where it has at times preached democracy while supporting authoritarian regimes, or championed human rights while engaging in arms sales, necessitates an honest reckoning with its past.
Analyzing this complex landscape is not enough; active work towards resolution is required. This demands genuine dialogue, even with those whose views are abhorrent. It requires unwavering adherence to international law, applied consistently, not selectively. It means addressing the deep-seated inequalities and injustices that fuel conflict. And it necessitates supporting genuine democratic processes that emerge organically from local contexts, respecting diverse cultures.
Active efforts are needed to counter misinformation and propaganda, amplifying the voices of victims caught in the crossfire. These are not abstract concepts; they represent real people, real suffering, and lives torn apart. There are no easy answers, no magic solutions to centuries of resentment and distrust. However, beginning with honesty about ourselves, our history, and the world we have helped to shape is crucial. Listening, building bridges, and finding common ground, even when it feels impossible, must be the starting point. Because if these efforts fail, these culture wars, both global and domestic, will continue to burn, and the space for vital dialogue, for both “woke” and “anti-woke” perspectives, will be extinguished by oppression. The capacity to defend these fundamental values, therefore, is not a glorification of war, but a grim, necessary reality to protect the very freedom of expression that allows for our internal debates to exist.
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Bibliography
Arendt, Hannah. The Origins of Totalitarianism. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1973.
Kant, Immanuel. Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay. Dover Publications, 2003.
Levitsky, Steven and Ziblatt, Daniel. How Democracies Die. Crown, 2018.
Mounk, Yascha. The People vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It. Harvard University Press, 2018.