Homogenizing nationalists, budding fascists, and truculent exceptionalists: the end of world order in the Indo-Pacific

Building on Ernest Gellner’s theory of the nation-state and drawing insights from John Lukacs George Kennan, this article contends that major powers contemporary Indo-Pacific are characterized by conflicting nationalisms. Homogenizing nationalism seeks to form China—a former multiethnic empire—into a unitary nation-state. Budding fascism endeavors transform India—founded as secular state—into Hindu nation in which there is little place for ‘other.’ And USA, truculent exceptionalism readily acknowledges coexistence with China no longer possible long run. All three have an alternative they might embrace: toleration. But civility, both domestic international politics, increasingly rare. The future world order does not look bright.