Current world order proves Marx’s interpretation of law

Might is right is the practically accepted international norm and law that has superseded all written laws and conventions. Countries like Sri Lanka have no option but to adapt to this reality

The Sri Lankan Government is apparently preparing for the repercussions of the long-drawn-out war in the West Asia or a war covering other regions as well, as the belligerent parties - the US and Israel on the one hand and Iran on the other - are not showing signs restraints. 

Despite the leaders of the government having assured that the country has oil stocks sufficient for the next six weeks, the authorities increased the price apparently to cover the future spiraling price hikes in the world market due to the main war theatre being the main oil producing region in the world. 

Also, the Government introduced the National Fuel Authorisation System (QR Code), last week in the midst of uncertainty in the global market and the authorities are to continue it for an indefinite period with the Government planning to link it to a digital payment mode in the future, the Daily Mirror reported yesterday. 

In an effort to promote fuel conservation in the approaching possible crisis period, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed authorities on Sunday to study the possibility of implementing ‘work from home’ arrangements for public and private sector employees. 

The situation erupted following the unprovoked attack on Iran by the US and Israel on February 28 and the unprecedented and unexpected retaliation by Iran, launching missiles at Israel and American bases in countries in the West Asian region. The war has now spilled over to our doorstep as the US Navy on March 4 torpedoed an Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Galle, killing over 100 sailors and injuring another 32.

This incident created an embarrassing situation for the National People’s Power (NPP) Government in spite of it managing the aftershocks of the sinking of the Iranian ship in a manner that earned worldwide praise. Some Opposition parties wanted the Government to summon the US Ambassador and express the country’s displeasure over the attack being carried out in its EEZ. 

Though this contention is legally acceptable, the Government did not choose to do so for obvious reasons. In practical sense, the world powers do not respect the international law or conventions, especially when it comes to their military maneuverings. The Government has apparently thought it not sensible to summon the US Ambassador at a time when American President Donald Trump is in a mood to penalise all those who earn his wrath, especially with respect to his country’s military activities. On the seeming same grounds, the Government ignored the pressure on the part of some Opposition members in Parliament to condemn the unprovoked war by the US and Israel against Iran. 

These incidents point the extent the countries like Sri Lanka can go in protecting their rights according to the international law. Karl Marx viewed law as an instrument of the ruling class designed to protect their economic interests, private property, and power over the working class. This theory, very appropriately applicable internationally as well. Countries like Sri Lanka and even India for that matter cannot do what the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and their allies do, as the international law, despite what is written in the book is being applied asymmetrically. 

The very argument the US and Israel used to justify their military onslaught against Iran further attest to it. They, while possessing stockpiles of nuclear weapons, started the war accusing Iran of being months away from producing a nuclear weapon, which Iran had repeatedly denied for decades. 

A group of UN experts presented a report on crimes against humanity perpetrated by Israel in Gaza on December 30, 2024. The most egregious violations they had highlighted in it included “murder, torture, sexual violence, and repeated forced displacement, war crimes encompassing indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population and education institutions and cultural heritage, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, the targeting of healthcare workers and health facilities, attacks on humanitarian workers, arbitrary restrictions on access to humanitarian aid, and attacks on journalists, collective punishment and perfidy.”

Yet, what is the use of such reports? Might is right is the practically accepted international norm and law that has superseded all written laws and conventions. Countries like Sri Lanka have no option but to adapt to this reality.

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