The world is now ruled by strong men who think ‘might is right’, former head of MI6 warns
The former head of MI6 has warned that strong men now rule the world and that they rule by the principle of “might is right”.
Sir Alex Younger said that this idea, which puts US allies in a difficult situation, was embodied by Donald Trump.
The poll found that 69 percent of people think democracy is weakening and that strong men have more influence than international institutions.
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today program about the US President’s attacks on Venezuela, Sir Alex said that the world order has changed.
‘In fact, we see that the world is now the basic operating unit of the world, governed by the idea that might is right and that powerful men who preside over spheres of influence and tolerate each other’s activities within that sphere but dominate their own backyards are the basic operating unit of the world.
‘And I think Donald Trump embodies that, and I think that’s what we’re seeing here.’
Sir Alex, the longest-serving MI6 chief in 50 years, said Britain’s refusal to charge Mr Trump with violating international law left him open to allegations of hypocrisy after the UK Government said Russia had breached international law following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“When we talk about Ukraine in particular, we certainly need to recognize that we are hypocrites, especially in the Global South, where we stand around principles while our key ally clearly follows the principle of might is right.” he added.
Former head of MI6 Sir Alex Younger (pictured) warned that strong men now rule the world and rule by the principle of ‘might is right’
Former MI6 boss says US President Donald Trump (pictured) embodies the idea
20,000 people surveyed in 27 major democracies said they believed democracy was facing a systemic crisis.
According to research by consultancy firm FGS Global, 69 percent of the survey believe that democracy has weakened, while 68 percent say their political systems have failed.
Most people (74 per cent) believe the system serves the ‘rich and powerful elite’ rather than ordinary people.
More than two-thirds (69 per cent) believe that ‘strong leaders increasingly wield influence from international institutions’.
An alarming 73 percent said they thought life would be harder for the next generation.
