The Psychological and Political Dimensions of Identity in Post-Cold War Geopolitics: A Literary Exploration of Love and Ego

Abstract

Aim: This study examines the complex relationship between psychological identity formation and geopolitical dynamics in the post-Cold War era through a literary analysis of Vikas Sharma's novel ‘Love and Ego’. The research investigates how national ego and individual leadership psychology influence international relations and state sovereignty by drawing on the allegorical representation of Russian-Ukrainian relations in Sharma's work, particularly through the characters of Zen-Sky and Phu-tin.

Methodology and Approach: The author consulted primary and secondary sources for her research.  Further, the researcher has applied a multidisciplinary approach, combining literary criticism with political psychology to analyze how historical narratives shape national identity and foreign policy decisions.

Outcome: The paper contributes to our understanding of how psychological factors, especially ego-driven motivations, continue to shape the contemporary global order and impact governance structures in emerging democracies. This analysis offers valuable insights into the intersection of national identity, political leadership, and international conflict in the modern era.

Conclusion and Suggestion: The findings reveal a dialectical tension between ego as a catalyst for national self-determination and as a potentially destructive force in international relations. Through close textual analysis, the research demonstrates how Sharma’s fictional narrative illuminates real-world geopolitical tensions, particularly in post-Soviet spaces.