Tolkien’s works are not merely escapist fantasy; they engage with themes of power, corruption, sacrifice and hope that resonate with political dynamics nearly a century after they were written. Tolkien himself was sceptical of centralised power, warning that even well-intentioned authority can corrupt. He described his own political views as leaning towards an anarchic scepticism of control, believing that power is corrupting and that humility and equality are spiritual principles rather than merely political mechanisms. As he wrote, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future”, a principle that emphasises the importance of ordinary actors in shaping outcomes on both a local and global scale.

Hope and Resilience in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine illustrates one of Tolkien’s central themes: the importance of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. In The Lord of the Rings, the inhabitants of Middle-earth continue resisting a seemingly inevitable doom not because defeat is impossible but because giving up is unacceptable. Even small acts, akin to the Hobbits’ relentless journey to Mordor, can cumulatively shape outcomes.

In Ukraine’s defence of its sovereignty and democratic order, that same ethos of endurance and collective effort is visible. International support, military, humanitarian and economic, does not guarantee instant victory but it allows hope to persist in the face of a larger, better-equipped adversary. As Tolkien reminds us, “There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for”, a lesson reflected in the courage and commitment of civil society, grassroots volunteers and everyday citizens resisting aggression.

Understanding Power and Corruption: Iran and Global Leverage

Tolkien’s portrayal of the One Ring, a seemingly irresistible source of power that inexorably corrupts its bearer, remains one of his most enduring metaphors for unchecked authority. In his fiction, even those who intend to use the Ring for good risk becoming tyrants.

This cautionary lesson is relevant to the Iran nuclear crisis and global diplomacy. As states negotiate influence and pursue strategic capabilities, the temptation to leverage power without adequate checks, whether through nuclear development, regional coercion or hardline domestic control, leads to destabilising outcomes. Iranians seeking reform from within face a dual struggle, resisting both external pressure and internal forces that consolidate power and limit civic freedom. As Tolkien observed, “It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know”, underlining the need for ethical responsibility even amid complex geopolitical pressures.

Divided Democracies and the Fellowship Model

Across Europe and the United States, democracies are grappling with internal polarisation, loss of trust and fragmented public narratives. Tolkien’s tales emphasise the strength that comes from diverse groups uniting against common threats. The Fellowship of the Ring itself, comprising Hobbits, Men, an Elf, a Dwarf and Wizards, symbolises cooperation across cultural differences. Despite mistrust and historical grievances, they recognise that only through unity can they confront shared peril.

This has direct parallels to contemporary democratic challenges. Political polarisation weakens institutional resilience and creates vulnerabilities to external interference. Re-establishing a kind of fellowship among citizens and across political divides, rooted not in uniformity of opinion but in a shared commitment to democratic norms and mutual respect, could be seen as a contemporary analogue to Tolkien’s alliance of free peoples. As he wrote, “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens”, reminding leaders and citizens alike that commitment must endure through adversity.

Cultural Diplomacy: Patience, Dialogue and Long-Term Relations

Tolkien’s philosophy also offers guidance for cultural diplomacy, which remains essential in international relations. Just as Middle-earth’s heroes had to listen, understand and sometimes compromise with others who were different, modern diplomacy requires patience, dialogue, understanding, and acceptance.

Effective cultural diplomacy is not about winning arguments or immediate results. It is about building long-term relationships, cultivating mutual respect and finding common ground even when histories, identities or interests conflict. Tolkien’s stories repeatedly emphasise the value of calm, inner peace and measured action: characters succeed not through force alone but through empathy, perseverance and moral clarity.

In practice, this approach encourages diplomats and global leaders to engage in patient dialogue, listening to the perspectives of others without rushing to judgement, to accept cultural and ideological differences while seeking areas of cooperation, to prioritise long-term trust-building over short-term victories and to maintain calm and inner composure in tense situations, recognising that reactionary measures often worsen conflict. As Tolkien wrote, “Courage is found in unlikely places”, which in diplomacy may mean the courage to compromise, to forgive, or to continue a difficult conversation when the outcome is uncertain.

Lessons for International Relations Practice

Tolkien’s scepticism of concentrated authority is a reminder that global governance must embed checks and balances, transparency and accountability, whether in nuclear diplomacy, economic sanctions or international institutions. Ordinary people matter. Just as Hobbits changed the fate of Middle-earth, activists, civil society and engaged citizens shape legitimacy and stability in states facing conflict or democratic stress. Like Middle-earth’s Fellowship, international cooperation must bridge cultural and ideological divides to face transnational challenges such as war, climate change and digital disinformation. For Tolkien, narrative inevitability was not deterministic; characters chose between good and evil, even when the odds were long. International relations must foreground ethical choices not just strategic calculation. Patience, listening and compromise strengthen long-term relations and global stability.

Tolkien was not predicting specific geopolitical events but his philosophical worldview, grounded in scepticism of power, belief in the value of small acts of courage and respect for community and moral agency, remains relevant for global affairs today. In times of war, crisis and democratic fragmentation, his stories encourage leaders and citizens alike to act with integrity, to resist corruption and to sustain hope even when outcomes are uncertain.

In the realms of diplomacy, conflict resolution and international cooperation, perhaps Middle-earth’s greatest legacy is not its imagined geography but its vision of a world where even the humblest voice and smallest choice can make a difference. As Tolkien reminds us, “There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for” and “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens”, principles that resonate across nations, communities and individuals navigating a complex global landscape.

Engaging the Youth: Middle-earth Lessons for the Next Generation

Tolkien’s philosophy has a unique resonance for young people, who are increasingly shaping the world through activism, innovation and civic engagement. In a time of political unrest, climate crises and global uncertainty, the youth embody the very qualities Tolkien celebrated in his characters: courage, resilience and the ability to act despite feeling small or powerless.

Young people can draw inspiration from “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future”, recognising that individual initiatives, community projects and grassroots movements can have lasting global impact. Engaging with cultural diplomacy, they can practice dialogue, understanding and patience across borders, building bridges between communities and fostering long-term relationships grounded in empathy and shared purpose.

Tolkien’s emphasis on inner peace and moral clarity also offers guidance for young leaders in managing the pressures of activism and public life. By cultivating calm, reflection and ethical courage, they can navigate complex challenges without resorting to reactive or short-term measures. In this way, youth are not just inheritors of the world but active agents who, like the Hobbits, can change its course through deliberate, principled action.

• Independent