We are born into a world in conflict. Discussion there might be as to the identity of the main protagonists: economic classes (as per Marxism), geopolitical groups (the “First World” vs the “Second World” in competition for the allegiance of the “Third World”), the “more industrial North” vs the “more agricultural South” on the inter- and intranational level, or whether it’s more a question of gender or colour differences; the fact is, whether we realise it or not, from the moment we utter our first cry on earth, we are forced to take sides in a global battle. How truly did Matthew Arnold write, in Dover Beach: . . . we are here, as on a darkling plain, Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, Where ignorant armies clash by night. Many of us are scarcely aware of the battle going on. We climb into our buses (cars or rickshaws) and speed off to work or study. We get our meals and newspapers more or less on time. We are able to have our baths more or less regularly (except when the water/electric supply don’t quite collaborate) and we get our clothes nicely laundered for us.