Security: Paranoia incorporated?
Security is big business - economically, politically and socially.
We hear so much resources being spent on security matters, to ensure security within the country, as well as security of countries.
At country level, vast amounts of resources are spent on armaments for defence against real and potential enemies. There was the era of the cold war, when there were declared enemies. Those enemies, at least in that form, are long gone. There was hope at that time of reduction of spending on armaments and diverting the resources into welfare programs, among them - internal security.
But, what we see is, the expenditure on armaments on defence against external enemies continue to grow unabated.
This makes one wonder whether the countries still feel threatened by external forces.
The place vacated by the "heavy mob" (the NATO and Warsaw Pact ) is now being filled by potential threats posed by the emerging nuclear powers, so the new justification goes.
If one realistically looks at the comparative strengths of these potential enemies and the West, or the old East, the gap is so enormous that it begs belief the arguments for more newer and powerful arms.
Are there other reasons behind this clamour for more arms? Established interests of military-industrial complexes in these countries could be an influencing factor. The political considerations arising thereof could be even a more compelling reason.
Fears among nations seem to be ratcheted up by those who have products to sell. Often one sees members of the same camp selling arms to opposing nations.
How can one feel safe when fear mongering occurs with the blessings of nation states?
Returning to individual level, which is more important to us down at the bottom rung, are we comfortable about our safety?
Many a TV programme had shown "scientifically", it is the perception of fear that clouds the minds of people into believing they are unsafe.
Ask any one: the prompt answer would be negative, unless one lives in Shangri La. Even there, now that TV has been introduced, with the inevitable spewing of cheap violent films, the states of minds of the citizens could well be otherwise.
Inner cities are worlds of their own. Crime statistics always seem to show downward trends. They should be - considering the vast sums spent on policing - on officers, technologies and education. Is the tax-paying society getting money's worth?
Who do you fear most? Indigenous populations might point the finger at low-income groups, ghetto dweller, or at immigrants.
They in turn could point the finger at law enforcement agencies - harassment, victimisation, stereotyping and so on.
If prison statistics are to be a guide, then immigrants do indeed account for a sizable chunk of crime. Is that really the case? Do they have a higher proportion of being sentenced? Receive longer sentences, which is reflected in larger prison populations.
If you live in the country, do you feel more secure? What about the case of armed robberies of isolated houses? The odd rapist, child molester?
Do you feel safe from authorities? Ignorance of the law is no defence, we are told. Could you be breaking laws simply because you are unaware of the statues, bye-laws and all that currently in force in the country. Does this mean an omni-potent resident lawyer in every house to advise you on every move?
When we are young, we are made to fear countless real and imaginary things. The possibility of a whack on your bottom was a real fear. Then there were the demons and child-gobbling monsters to deal with.
Since the 9/11, a new wave of fears, real and fanned, have swept the societies. A new war has since erupted - war against terrorism. Here my intention is to look at the effects of it on the population, rather than the causes of it. That discussion belongs elsewhere.
Fear of terrorism is real. Authorities are not making things easier for the citizens in the light of it. Much individual freedoms are being eroded legally as well as by implication. The mind set of the indigenous populations, specially in Europe, has been so set that all foreigners are now viewed with suspicion.
At a personal level, being a foreigner myself, my family members would not allow me to grow a beard or a moustache, even though I hate so much this task of shaving daily!
We grow up. More real fears show their heads. Exams, jobs securities, spouses, children, the list grows.
It is soon time to be scared of your health.
Old age is a very real fear.
Then there are the religions. One has to fear the outcome of the afterlife on top of everything.
Is there way of overcoming these fears, whereever, in whatever form they may appear?
During Lord Buddha's time, a group of monks left the monastery for a distant forest to meditate. After a while, they found that the locals (demons) made their life impossible and found themselves lagging behind their original objectives. So they decided to return and report the matter to Lord Buddha. He listened patiently to the woes of the monks, and He offered the solution in the form of a discourse, now known as the Karaniya Metta Sutta.
This sutta basically embodies universal compassion: for all known and unknown living things, in known and unknown domains of the Universe.
So, the monks on Lord Buddha's advise, returned to the forest and began practicing the sutta and began to observe positive results. Soon, the locals were won over and the monks were able to achieve their objectives of attaining Nibbana.
May be that is the road to solace.