Against the World by Tara Zahra

Why it is complicated to move from one country to another irrespective of the reasons? What are the reasons to keep a geographic region insulated from the rest of the world? Why does the loyalty to a nation state is the first requirement or criteria for being considered as a citizen of the country? How does an idea of resource independence get stronger even at the cost of sacrificing living conditions of its inhabitants? How the narrative of framing people for the bad situation works at a global level?

These are some of the questions which are discussed in this book. It focuses largely at the period between the two world wars but the problems and ideas more or less apply to the current timeframe as well. The idea of finding a scapegoat and pushing a personal agenda on masses is something which has been an integral part of history but it never goes out of style, and just comes back in a new form.

The book doesn't provide an answer but tries to frame the narrative, and leaves it to a reader's own perception to draw a conclusion.

There is nothing like a citizen of the world but we can always hope for a future of humanity which goes beyond the artificial borders, conflicts, and skin colour.

Peace