The Global Questions Series: Number 15 - Hope

Can Things Turn Out For The Best?

Contents

1. Introduction

2. What Is Hope, And How Does It Apply To Geopolitics?

3. The Role of Circumstances

4. What We Can All Hope For Together

5. Concluding Remarks

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Bitesize Edition

• Some of us lean towards a more optimistic way of thinking, while others are more pessimistic in nature. Which way we lean individually is determined by our biology, psychology, experiences, and environment. Regardless of this, at some point during our lives, we have felt hopeful for something.

• Hope is the belief that something positive will unfold in our future. There exists some uncertainty that this hopeful pursuit will unfold, but nevertheless, we persist with our hope.

• Sometimes, our hope can be grounded and rational. We persist and create valid solutions to our problems. On other occasions, our hope is irrational. The odds are stacked against us too much, yet we blindly believe our hope will pull us through. This idea is valid in geopolitics.

• In this edition of the Global Questions Series, I’ll explore what conditions determine whether hope is rational or irrational, before touching on potential strategies we could use to bridge this gap. After all, we’re all in this life together, yet some people don’t have the capabilities to act on their hope. This has to change, and I’ll explore how below.

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Introduction

This month, I decided to pivot from the usual gloomy Global Questions Series to a happier edition. Hence, today’s edition will focus on the concept of hope. Is hope for a better future enough, or do we need more? Let’s explore below.

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What Is Hope And How Does It Apply To Geopolitics?

Hope is a belief we have that something positive will happen in the future. This definition being as vague as it is gives us wonderful variation in how we can find hope in our lives. Of course, there will be uncertainty in our hope, as this is inevitable. If we can stare this uncertainty in the face, and still believe there is a chance of a positive future, then we have hope. If we persist through hardship, create new solutions to our problems, and take action to enact these potential solutions, then we also have hope.

So, from this definition, one could assume hope is all about mindset. Not necessarily. One person might consider a form of hope as irrational if the odds are so clearly stacked against us. Yet if we dig deeper into our hope, believing that our situation will soon change, could this be interpreted as irrational? Being too hopeful can delay actions, underestimate risks, and lead to poor decisions. Where is the line between blind, irrational hope, and grounded, realistic hope?

Specifically in the field of geopolitics, hope can emerge in different forms. For example:

• Hope In Political Movements

• Hope in Diplomacy

• Hope In The Pursuit of Peace

• Hope As A Weapon

• Hope In Conflict

• False Hope

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

In geopolitics, hope can be a double-edged sword. A message of hope can get millions to vote for a political representative who never intended to uphold their promises. Or, hope can inspire political change or a diplomatic approach that leads to peace and allows a nation to establish institutions and escape a cycle of conflict. From all this, I’d ask what is hope dependent on?

Regardless of the scenario, hope stems from our circumstances.

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The Role of Circumstances