Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The old one-two punch

These days, it seems like we can't go a day without hearing someone—on the news, a political commentator's podcast, or a social media site—telling us who we should hold responsible for the nation's ills. Those on the right are constantly reminded that the Left is responsible for the decline of the United States. Liberals are led to believe that conservatives are responsible for the decline of the United States. But suppose there's a point that's being missed by both camps. What if people can't see past the partisan rhetoric and focus on the bigger picture rather than blaming any one political party or ideology for the problems that plague society?

Both the Left and the Right have their strengths and weaknesses, and neither is perfect. The Left indeed has a point when it comes to highlighting concerns like poverty, racial injustice, and environmental preservation. While the Left is wrong to downplay the significance of personal responsibility, free market capitalism, and national security, the Right is correct in emphasizing these issues.

Problems emerge, however, when one side becomes overly dogmatic in its beliefs and refuses to listen to the other. This kind of extremism can be seen on both the Left, which is unwilling to consider the potential consequences of allowing a flood of immigrants from the third world into this country, and the Right, which is blindly committed to unfettered corporate capitalism.

Looking past political parties and political ideologies to the real issues facing our nation is the only way out of this vicious cycle of division and polarization. Recognizing that there is more than one way to look at a problem and several viable approaches to solving it is essential if we are to find a way forward.

To achieve this goal, we must begin to hear one another. Even with those with whom we disagree, we need to be ready to have an open and honest discussion. We also need to be able to concede that the other side may be right on some issues. Then, and only then, can we hope to create a brighter future for all Americans and find lasting answers to the challenges facing our nation.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Free Tibet! But who is going to free me?

The right of nations and ethnic or religious groups to protect their culture, language, and religion against adverse influences has been firmly established in the Western world. Despite this, the extent to which this right is applicable when defending culture and language remains an open question. The debate over whether or not other cultures and languages from around the world should also be afforded such protection is ongoing. 

For example, some scholars argue that an individual’s right to self-determination requires that all people have a right to preserve their culture regardless of its location or size. On the other hand, some believe that specific cultural groups may require more robust legal protections than others due to the history of discrimination they face or the potential for harm to arise if their culture is not preserved. 

Regardless of where one stands on this particular debate, it is important to recognize that protecting culture and language can help ensure human rights. In Tibet specifically, Chinese attempts to influence Tibetan culture have resulted in severe restrictions on religious practice, censorship of media outlets, and strict authoritarian rule. This kind of oppressive behavior has serious implications for both individuals living in these regions as well as for global stability due to political unrest and increased ethnic tensions. 

Therefore, defending an individual’s right to express themselves without fear can offer peace between nations and help maintain individual autonomy throughout the region. It is also worth noting that protecting culture can benefit international business endeavors by providing economic growth opportunities within regions where cultures are being threatened by outside forces. 

Investing in projects that promote cultural preservation can result in job creation as well as encourage diversification within markets worldwide. Ultimately, preserving unique cultures provides immense value both locally and globally by fostering creativity and ingenuity while protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation or unequal access to resources. 

Protecting culture is not just a humanitarian issue; it is a business opportunity as well. It's no wonder then why so many countries have come together to sign international agreements dedicated to preserving unique cultures around the globe - it's simply good business sense! By understanding how priceless our cultural heritage truly is we can work towards creating systems that protect our collective histories for generations to come - ensuring fairness for all citizens across various national boundaries no matter how large or small their population may be.