Killing International Tourism to Internationalize ‘Local Political Ambitions’

Killing International Tourism to Internationalize ‘Local Political Ambitions’

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 19th Sept. 2016

The politics of violence and noise-making to befool people has really not led any of the ‘nationalist pride’ anywhere, to conjure up global support for any political cause. Take the case of Gandhi, where the preaching of non-violence in a rather violent and tough time got international attention. It was global attention for the cause that catapulted most of the isolated activists to collect together and work in orderly manner which led to the political achievement. Some of the other achievement to internationalize national political ambitions in some other countries (successfully) has been basis sound socio-political & legal arguments or diplomatese. While violence may have served to build military pressure, however as a means to internationalize a cause had always had little support since international polity not directly connected to situation would generally like to be seen as siding with peace as a principle, lest the violence comes home as a reaction to their endorsement of violence for political causes. There have been quite a few examples and that need not be quoted.

The killing of domestic economy or international tourism at a place in order to achieve internationalization of local political issues is a bit too contrarian. Especially is current scenario, it seems destined to doom, since it relies mainly on planting orchestrated stories in media and canvassing support from political hierarchy of a country rather than appealing to citizens. On the contrary, if the global citizens are allowed to tour a place, they are able to relate and compare situation in much better manner and help in opinion building. The violence is thus counter-productive for the perpetrators whereby they are spending costly dime to conjure international media and political support while killing domestic/local industry. The domestic revenue being tied to support military means is an added liability on the people who may also be simultaneously witness to cultural value erosion and social degradation on the back of economic malaise.

While such politics has festered on the back of part-local and part-international interests to maintain the situation in such manner, however the current political direction seems to be in huge divergence from the past. The people are better aware of their rights as well as what may be in their better interest. This is a cause of various nation states re-thinking their policies and procedures especially in the rather boiling Middle East & North African region. While there may not be sudden transition to democracy but much greater people friendliness and participation on display in government policies and procedures (as compared to the past) for most governments, may be direction of the moves. This is because the weaker governments have fallen prey to violent prone Islamist movement which is constantly on prowl to widen its support base by bringing in more ‘sympathizers’, who may be generally the people who may be feeling fed up with the current regimes rather than having to do anything with the ideology of such movements. However the movements have been allowed to fester often without much thought. when such movements botch up the cause of Palestine (an example), Often the submission of people and regime holding tight the palestinian cause is percieved for granted by the leadership within the movement or by its followers (with all possibilities of getting splintered later to purse what may be dear to them). This is even as nearly everyone knows that this is the most unlikely case. However the mad rush of people towards such movements is allowed to be built up rather than countered in order to keep public distracted from domestic issues.

While the governments in the region may have done little so far to control the spread of political aspirations in the guise of sprouting of many Islamist movements, however as political identity of the nation states is challenged by the Islamist violence; they would pretty soon be forced to claw back on the national identities and resources. Already such moves are being deliberated upon to stop erosion of ‘values’, with liberalization being pursued with vigour although in absence of an institutional base for democratic institutional set up, it tends to relegate into a regime change and subsequent power struggle as has been witnessed so far.

Instead of allowing violence to fester by way of silent support, the governments in the region could do better to respond to the people’s aspirations for better economic and socio-cultural freedom including freedom of expression by developing institutional structure to promote the well-being in an orderly manner. Rather than internationalizing via conjuring political and media support internationally, promoting international tourism might be a better option and it would help establish the people to people linkages and develop greater understanding of the situation as well as culture amongst a vast majority. Politically orchestrated violence and allowing the situation to simmer, might only lead to international isolation but is seldom accepted by the political and strategic community often keen to use the practice to maintain their hold on power rather than for the benefit of people whose cause/s they claim to be serving/championing.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Killing International Tourism to Internationalize ‘Local Political Ambitions’

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 19th Sept. 2016

The politics of violence and noise-making to befool people has really not led any of the ‘nationalist pride’ anywhere, to conjure up global support for any political cause. Take the case of Gandhi, where the preaching of non-violence in a rather violent and tough time got international attention. It was global attention for the cause that catapulted most of the isolated activists to collect together and work in orderly manner which led to the political achievement. Some of the other achievement to internationalize national political ambitions in some other countries (successfully) has been basis sound socio-political & legal arguments or diplomatese. While violence may have served to build military pressure, however as a means to internationalize a cause had always had little support since international polity not directly connected to situation would generally like to be seen as siding with peace as a principle, lest the violence comes home as a reaction to their endorsement of violence for political causes. There have been quite a few examples and that need not be quoted.

The killing of domestic economy or international tourism at a place in order to achieve internationalization of local political issues is a bit too contrarian. Especially is current scenario, it seems destined to doom, since it relies mainly on planting orchestrated stories in media and canvassing support from political hierarchy of a country rather than appealing to citizens. On the contrary, if the global citizens are allowed to tour a place, they are able to relate and compare situation in much better manner and help in opinion building. The violence is thus counter-productive for the perpetrators whereby they are spending costly dime to conjure international media and political support while killing domestic/local industry. The domestic revenue being tied to support military means is an added liability on the people who may also be simultaneously witness to cultural value erosion and social degradation on the back of economic malaise.

While such politics has festered on the back of part-local and part-international interests to maintain the situation in such manner, however the current political direction seems to be in huge divergence from the past. The people are better aware of their rights as well as what may be in their better interest. This is a cause of various nation states re-thinking their policies and procedures especially in the rather boiling Middle East & North African region. While there may not be sudden transition to democracy but much greater people friendliness and participation on display in government policies and procedures (as compared to the past) for most governments, may be direction of the moves. This is because the weaker governments have fallen prey to violent prone Islamist movement which is constantly on prowl to widen its support base by bringing in more ‘sympathizers’, who may be generally the people who may be feeling fed up with the current regimes rather than having to do anything with the ideology of such movements. However the movements have been allowed to fester often without much thought. when such movements botch up the cause of Palestine (an example), Often the submission of people and regime holding tight the palestinian cause is percieved for granted by the leadership within the movement or by its followers (with all possibilities of getting splintered later to purse what may be dear to them). This is even as nearly everyone knows that this is the most unlikely case. However the mad rush of people towards such movements is allowed to be built up rather than countered in order to keep public distracted from domestic issues.

While the governments in the region may have done little so far to control the spread of political aspirations in the guise of sprouting of many Islamist movements, however as political identity of the nation states is challenged by the Islamist violence; they would pretty soon be forced to claw back on the national identities and resources. Already such moves are being deliberated upon to stop erosion of ‘values’, with liberalization being pursued with vigour although in absence of an institutional base for democratic institutional set up, it tends to relegate into a regime change and subsequent power struggle as has been witnessed so far.

Instead of allowing violence to fester by way of silent support, the governments in the region could do better to respond to the people’s aspirations for better economic and socio-cultural freedom including freedom of expression by developing institutional structure to promote the well-being in an orderly manner. Rather than internationalizing via conjuring political and media support internationally, promoting international tourism might be a better option and it would help establish the people to people linkages and develop greater understanding of the situation as well as culture amongst a vast majority. Politically orchestrated violence and allowing the situation to simmer, might only lead to international isolation but is seldom accepted by the political and strategic community often keen to use the practice to maintain their hold on power rather than for the benefit of people whose cause/s they claim to be serving/championing.

In the often-murky waters of political commentary, this article shines as a beacon of clarity. The writer's writing style is refreshingly direct and remarkably insightful, capable of distilling even the most convoluted political machinations into understandable terms. It's a voice that not only informs but empowers, cutting through partisan rhetoric to focus on tangible realities. The structure is intuitively logical, carefully organizing arguments and evidence in a way that progressively deepens the reader's understanding of the political issue at hand. This thoughtful arrangement allows for a comprehensive grasp of the intricate relationships between policy, power, and people. Furthermore, the exceptional clarity with which the political arguments are articulated is truly commendable. There's no room for misinterpretation; the issues are presented with such transparent precision that the article serves as an essential guide for navigating and understanding today's political environment.

 

[Simran Rai]

Amit Bhushan’s article Killing International Tourism to Internationalize ‘Local Political Ambitions’ delivers a sharp critique of how politically motivated violence and disruptive tactics are often used to draw international attention to domestic issues, but with self-defeating consequences. He argues that attempts to internationalize local political causes through orchestrated unrest, media manipulation, and diplomatic lobbying often fall flat—not because the issues lack merit, but because the methods used are misaligned with global norms and values. In today’s interconnected world, the international community is more likely to support causes that are rooted in non-violence, legal reasoning, and human rights frameworks, rather than those associated with chaos and conflict.


The article further points out that violence, far from generating sympathy or global support, tends to damage local economies, especially by choking off international tourism and undermining cultural exchange. Tourism, Bhushan argues, is one of the most effective tools for building global understanding and drawing genuine attention to the socio-political realities on the ground. When foreign visitors experience a place firsthand, they are more likely to engage with its issues in a meaningful, informed, and balanced way—something that cannot be achieved through media campaigns alone. Hence, the strategy of suppressing tourism while promoting unrest is not only shortsighted but deeply counterproductive.


In discussing the broader geopolitical context, especially in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, Bhushan highlights how Islamist movements often exploit disenchantment with weak or autocratic regimes, drawing in followers who may have little alignment with ideological goals but seek an alternative to the status quo. However, this leads to fragmentation and even greater instability. Instead of enabling such movements, Bhushan suggests that governments should focus on institutional reforms, liberalization, and participatory governance to address the aspirations of their people.


Ultimately, the article is a plea for constructive statecraft—one that prioritizes economic empowerment, cultural preservation, and people-to-people engagement over politically orchestrated violence. Bhushan warns that relying on unrest to gain international sympathy not only fails to serve the people but also erodes national identity and isolates the region globally. Tourism, openness, and accountable governance, in his view, offer far more promise than strategies of disruption.​