Why do the youth today lack the fighting spirit they once had? We recall how they once stood up courageously, not against fellow citizens but against the state itself—then a clear adversary rather than an ally. That struggle was essential. But has the state now truly become a friend, rendering such movements unnecessary?
Far from it. The hostility today is far more subtle and sophisticated. Cloaked in patriotic garb, it pretends to work for the people’s welfare and the nation’s progress. The state media insist that there is no conflict between the rulers and the people; that all belong to the same nation, the same family. Modern media’s power is unmatched in history, able to transform half-truths and blatant falsehoods into accepted “truths.”
This challenge is not unique to Bangladesh; democracies worldwide are facing profound crises—crises born of capitalism’s very nature. Witness how even controversial figures like Donald Trump have been re-elected, and how authoritarian tendencies are rising across nations once seen as bastions of freedom. Capitalism’s inherent tendencies employ brute force, cunning stratagems, media manipulation, racial hatred, extremist nationalism, and religious fundamentalism to suppress social progress. Humanity’s millennia of civilisational wisdom are being cast into a precipice.
The question arises: is civilisation truly doomed? Will youth lose their earlier spirit of resistance? Will society follow a destructive path leading to its own extinction, much like the dinosaurs before us? Will humans be responsible for their own downfall? The very fabric of humanity is unraveling; human relationships are becoming less humane. Recent distressing events are but glimpses of a deeper malaise.
The only hope lies in the youth—their courage, their spirit, their dreams. Youth is not defined by age but by quality. True youth possesses courage, which grows through rebellion—not selfish defiance but collective resistance. This spirit was embodied in the 1971 Liberation War, when young people united in a daring struggle for freedom.
Yet today, economic hardships threaten to consume this courage. Livelihoods are life’s foundation, and livelihoods are under threat as greed and consumerism erode productive labour, elevating machines and artificial intelligence as adversaries rather than tools. Environmental destruction accelerates, turning nature from friend into foe. Drugs, pornography, racism, and fanaticism prey on the young, targeting their very spirit.
To awaken youth consciousness requires movement—active, organised resistance. Intellectuals have a vital role to play in guiding this awakening, offering direction not only to youth but also their guardians, through discourse, writing, and public engagement. Such efforts must transcend borders, fostering global solidarity to protect humanity’s achievements and build a higher civilisation.
Social revolution is inherently political, as states serve capitalist interests and resist change. Yet political struggle cannot succeed without cultural preparation and support. Intellectuals must spearhead this cultural movement, rooted in ideals aimed at social ownership and justice. Continuous knowledge-building and creative expression must fuel this movement.
In today’s unhealthy systems, mental despair afflicts youth more than physical ailments. Despair saps energy, promotes surrender, and breeds depression—a global malaise on the rise. The antidote lies in creative engagement—the most creative being the struggle for social revolution. May we never forget this truth.
The author is an Emeritus Professor, University of Dhaka
