Nationalism – The Setting Stage of Ethnic Abuses

It is difficult to say that nationalism, a shared pride in a national unit, is bad. It isn’t. It is the glue that makes us all feel we are part of something important, that we have something in common, and when it coincides with respect for your fellow citizen, it leads to a unified commerce.

Nationalism is an ego. Ego is what makes a man move on in dire situations; it even makes a man strive to overcome natures laws themselves (see the worlds of science & invention). Ego is a necessity to human survival; nationalism is a necessity to national development and unity.

Ego can also destroy a man, however, because, as is our human nature, we get addicted to feel-good emotions, especial the ones that foster delusions that relieve the stresses of reality.

Nationalism, when left unchecked, has been the sprouting seed of a number of global problems (Nazi nationalism {Book – Inside Nazi Germany}, Japanese nationalism, British nationalism; just to mention a small time period in world history). Basic fertilizers have been economic decline (basic human struggle to survive), national shame/embarrassment (slashed ego), and sudden influx of out-side cultures (dilution of communal spirit).

Russia, suffering many social/economic issues, is a prime candidate for nationalism. And with the three social fertilizers mentioned above, their current instance of nationalism is likely to be a great thorn in their future.

Putin’s efforts to cover up the errors of Russia’s past foster this national pride. It isn’t even that I blame the Russians for adding to the great collection of human faux pas to which every nation in al of history has contributed. However, by allowing these delusions, although it relieves the ego of an entire nation, will eventually fertilize a world view which simply repeats the past instead of learning from it. Russia may very well regain super-power status. However, they must keep in mind that although nationalism can motivate the arm, man still must swing the hammer and labor toward stability. Pulling triggers will do nothing to make their great nation respectable, financially sound, let alone trusted.

An Abused Africa

From an ethical standpoint, the world’s most powerful countries have a responsibility to Africa to assist in the many issues going on there. The direct and indirect evidence of the destabilization of African governments by outside governments, in a variety of ways, in order to plunder the natual resources and place their businesses is widespread. Recently, Africa’s situation has gone from bad to worse as the leaders that once promised to make things different are now the problem themselves. As the leaders settle in to power and realize how ingrained the world’s grip is on the leash around Africa’a throat, they loose their idealism, they become the thing they once hated.
Unfortunately, few outsiders care, and why would they as their lifestyles, in many cases, are carried by the resources and labors of Africa. Africans are going to have to band together and take responsibility for themselves. Once upon a time, Africa was a symbol of strength and freedom that inspired America’s black population to know that they were more than they believed they could be. Now, it is time for the little brother to lead – now it is time for Africa to look at what’s happenning in African-American communities where the people are learning that they themselves have become their own worst enemy. They are learning to stop the in-fighting, to band together, and to take back their communities. Africa can get out from under the weight of the world, but it must do it as a whole – and right or wrong, it will likely have to do it by itself.

Ethics & Rights to Land & Power

Oh, the age old battle.

In any fair competition (sports, literary awards, even college scholarships), the natural superiority of a few contenders tends to sweep up all the awards for select few. A new champion usually only comes along when the former is too old, too tired, or just not interested anymore. Now what if that skill set which made them the best were transferable. What if Micheal Jordan for example could have passed on ALL of his sports skill to a child. Jordan and his lineage could have dominated basketball for decades. Would that be right, acceptable, moral? I don’t know. But the current social mindset is no.

I hate the gap between the rich and poor as much as the next. I was born into poverty, and continue to struggle even today for my own family. I am very unhappy about the gap and would love wealth to be more evenly dispersed. Brazil is struggling with the enormous gap between the wealthy and poor. Considering history through which this situation was created, I am sickened by humanities disregard and disrespect for others. Bolivia still suffers from the affects of theSpanish occupation with prejudice and economic abuses against the indigenous peoples. The gaps between the wealthy or powerful and the poor or bound are amazingly sad.

However, I am convinced that all of us are the same in our tendency to grab what we can in life and hold on to it at all costs. I make $200 a week and struggle to run my family of 4. I don’t donate to charities or hand out twenties to the local bums. In my head, I can’t afford it, and I justify my greed with the knowledge that many others have more than me. I’m willing to help my peer, to whom I can relate, but I tend to look at the bum as being bad off because of his own life decisions.

The Spanish claiming rule in Bolivia, and the wealthy claiming land in Brazil are both examples of people simply trying to better their own lives. They too are just grabbing what they can and clinging to it. Does it make it fair? No. Does it make it kind? No. Does it make it ethical? Yes. It is ethical topursue gains at the expense of others. It is ethical to try your best to win a championship and hope the opponent fails. Again, it isn’t kind or fair to humanity at large, but it is not morally evil. I tend to side with Evo and the citizens of Bolivia against the american corporations that maintain so much power there. The idea being that they have rights because they own their own country and american corps already have a home. What, though, if we suspend all political boundaries and simply consider that humans are making claims in a geographical globe. Then who has the rights. The corps are then just the best competitors in the league.

This is the ethical dilemma of the police forces and judicial systems of Brazil as they try to mediate between the rich owner and the squatters claiming use of his land. These people say the land should be for all, that his family came to own the lands illegally. Illegal action is unethical, but the ethics of our fathers don’t get passed down to us they way land is. Is that the way it should be? I’m not sure. Maybe if land can be inherited so should punishments for unethical deeds of our fathers. Maybe it is reasonable to be held accountable for the actions of ourpredecessors.

Nonetheless, having never inherited a thing in my life, nor am I ever likely to, I tend to say that the wealthy or politically powerful should have limitations on how they pass on those benefits. But is that perspective too, just my own way of justifying apursuit of their possessions because I want them for myself?