The Missing Philosophical Foundation of the Tamil Eelam Struggle

By Small Drops Balananthini Balasubramaniam © 2025

United Kingdom – 09 November 2025, 10:32 AM (GMT)

Abstract

While the struggle for Tamil Eelam is often narrated through the lenses of resistance, identity, and injustice, its intellectual core remains largely underexplored. This paper argues that the absence of a robust Political Philosophy has impeded the transformation of Tamil Eelam from an emotional movement into a structured political vision. A philosophical awakening — rooted in geopolitics, diplomacy, and the moral logic of sovereignty — is indispensable for the movement’s future relevance and legitimacy.

*Introduction*

In contemporary discourse, very few individuals truly comprehend what Political Philosophy entails. This intellectual void is not restricted to a specific profession or social class; rather, it is a pervasive condition of modern political culture. Yet for any national community seeking to construct a sovereign state, the deep study of Political Philosophy is not optional — it is foundational.

A nation cannot emerge from sentiment alone. It must be built upon an understanding of Geopolitics, Global Political Systems, International Relations, and Diplomatic Strategy. To engage meaningfully with these realms, one must first grasp the philosophical questions that underlie them: What is justice? What legitimises sovereignty? What binds a people together? Without this comprehension, activism risks becoming noise — powerful in emotion, but weak in direction.

*Philosophy and Political Maturity*

Within the Tamil community, many express opinions on nationhood without ever examining the philosophical scaffolding that sustains a state. Ironically, those least equipped with understanding speak most loudly, while those with insight often remain silent — not from fear, but from the recognition that argument requires comprehension.

This tension reflects a larger intellectual crisis: movements driven by passion but detached from reasoning. A national struggle that neglects philosophy becomes reactionary, responding to circumstances rather than shaping them. It loses its ability to engage the world as a rational actor.

*A Lesson from a Classroom*

During the Hartley College Gala Dinner in the United Kingdom, I encountered a thought that illuminated this issue. A science teacher, speaking about his approach to education, remarked:

“When I walk into a classroom, I do so with one mindset.

My students, aged between twelve and seventeen, are still developing intellectually.

Therefore, I enter not merely to teach, but to cultivate their capacity to think.”

This simple reflection carries profound relevance beyond the classroom. In our community gatherings, debates, and even online discussions, we encounter varying levels of intellectual maturity. Approaching such spaces requires the same pedagogical patience — to guide, not to mock; to nurture understanding rather than suppress curiosity.

*From Sentiment to Structure*

Political maturity, much like scientific inquiry, demands discipline and patience. It cannot be fuelled by anger alone. The Tamil Eelam vision must therefore transcend its emotional core and root itself in Political Philosophy: in the ethics of resistance, the theory of justice, and the science of governance.

Without this philosophical grounding, even the most passionate movement risks fragmentation. With it, however, Tamil Eelam can evolve into a disciplined, intellectual, and diplomatic force — one that engages the global order not as a victim, but as a voice of reason and legitimacy.

*Conclusion*

The struggle for Tamil Eelam is not a relic of history; it is an enduring pursuit of dignity and self-determination. Yet, its future lies not in repeating past sacrifices, but in reimagining its intellectual foundation.

To build a nation, one must first cultivate thinkers — individuals who understand not merely what to fight for, but why and how. When Political Philosophy becomes part of the Tamil collective consciousness, the dream of Eelam will cease to be an abstraction and emerge as a disciplined, reasoned, and globally coherent movement.

Academic Citation

Balasubramaniam, S.D. (2025). The Missing Philosophical Foundation of the Tamil Eelam Struggle. United Kingdom: Small Drops Publications.

© Copyright 2025

Author: Small Drops Balananthini Balasubramaniam

Location: United Kingdom

Date: 09/11/2025 – 10:32 AM (GMT)