Poverty has always been the global problem. It is the main economic question and the objective of the study of economics since economics is the social science of the allocation of scarce resources to put it shortly. Poverty is the living condition in which the basic necessities (the minimum required quantities of the basic good mix for normal nourishment and protection for the biological body) in order to survive are not met regularly. Poverty has been the culprit of many world conflicts and revolutions. With poverty and poor living conditions, there will always be social unrest (crimes, strikes and insurgencies). However, in order to get the solution, we need to know its causes. There are 3 basic causes of poverty: Unemployment (and/or underemployment), Low Productivity and Inequitable Income Distribution. In this economic system we have currently, we live to work because we work to live. Subsistence farming/hunting is a thing of the past for most of us.
Since systems of ownership and jurisdiction have been structured in our society at the same time not everyone has the physical and human capital to produce food, we buy food instead. Since nothing is free in this world (not even when you play in your own backyard since you spend time and you incur an opportunity loss for not having to do something more productive), we have to work our butts off to earn the money that will give us the purchasing power. If you are in a place where there are low job opportunities, then you are in a big probability for poverty. It could be because the economy lacks businesses that could trigger employments. This is why investments are very important to the eradication of poverty. High population growth is also the culprit. When the speed of having more people (birth rate) exceeds the speed of the growth of businesses, then only a few privileged get to have the demand of few businesses.
Some countries have low unemployment rate but they still have high poverty incidence. This could be because of low productivity. When a country is more agricultural than industrial, most of the labor force are engaged in low productivity jobs. Low productivity jobs do not require higher level of skills and training. They are more experiential which could be easily taught with experience and guidance from an elder/mentor. Because of this they have lower expected returns or wages. Low productivity jobs also have lower value added in the total output of the economy. This simply means that the output of low productivity jobs have the least multiplier effect in contributing to the growth of the economy. If a country has higher productivity, not only that it benefits the workers, it also benefits the economy as a whole.
Developed countries are highly productive compared to the rest considering the high level of skill, talent and technology. However, poverty still exists. This is because of inequitable income distribution. No matter how developed or successful a country is, they must device a plan to restructure the present system where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
If you can observe, most underdeveloped countries are agricultural in nature. It has become a tradition, something that was passed on from many generations. This gave many of them a sense of pride not to move ahead from the old ways. Because most of them if not all live in rural areas, there is little recreation especially at night when there is no electricity. This gave them the most probable condition to try for babies. They always believe that with more children, they will have more workforce to help them with the farming; thus, giving them hope to progress. Some also believe that with more children, there is a higher probability for talented kids that could help them progress. Most people in the rural areas also have little access to health services that could give them family planning services. They are stuck in this sink hole which continues to worsen especially when they are reluctant to technological advancements.
To get these people out of the agricultural trap, the government must device a better agrarian reform, a better agrarian system that will empower farmers by giving them ownership of their land and opportunities to loan, have access to support systems and engage in entrepreneurial activities. By this way, the agricultural sector will be have more incentive to produce more; thus, increasing productivity which leads to higher returns. With a growing agricultural or resource sector, some of the farmers may now have the opportunity to venture into manufacturing of their agricultural outputs. These are the building blocks of industrialization which were accomplished by most of the developed countries today.
This high population hinders the possibility of better education since most of the children work in their early years and neglect their studies because they are living in survival. With higher population, the government funds for education are not sufficient to cover the majority. If they want to have more educated in the population, they sacrifice quality. The underdeveloped country must find a way to stabilize the high population growth and then get most of the youth to formal schooling.
Governments must invest more in education and upgrade its quality to produce more highly skilled and highly productive workforce. However, this highly productive workforce will be of no use without job opportunities. This is why governments put emphasis on job creation. A good economic environment stimulates job creation and that is to create conditions to attract investments (local or foreign). Macroeconomic stability and political stability are key. Political stability includes the low incidence of graft and corruption. Most poor countries are among the most corrupt list. This takes serious fiscal and monetary policy adjustments.
When a lot of people progress, some are still left behind. To prevent this inequitable distribution of wealth, the government must find ways to improve tax collection (progressive taxation) that will be most equitable to all income groups. Efficiency in tax collection (with the help of computer systems) must be improved to avoid abusive tax evaders who get away with their obligations. A better way to empower the lower income group and to bring the income gap closer is to promote microfinancing, technical and entrepreneurial endeavors. More loan opportunities and cooperatives for micro businesses will encourage the poor to engage in business.
The causes are all inter connected; thus, the solutions are also interconnected which should be dealt simultaneously. But this is no easy task. Many factors make the poker table more unpredictable. In the human world. there is always uncertainty. Wars and conflict because of social differences make it more difficult for a global initiative to combat poverty. The millennium development goals are too optimistic considering the present situation. It's hard to think about the possibility to at least significantly decrease the poverty incidence by at least 10% knowing that people are non satiated by nature. Even today, there still isn't a bold move to change things around because many people want to protect their political and economic interest before thinking of the welfare of others. Probably most of the renowned non profit organizations we know today might have their own motives which they cover with acts of charity. There is always some price to pay because nothing is free in this world.
Our simple needs and wants may also ruin the needs and wants of others. There is always an opposite reaction. Diamonds have always been the dream luxury good. There is high demand for these all over the world. What we do not know is that this demand fuels conflict in Sierra Leone. Because of our need to have a diamond ring for an engagement ring, we were able to encourage rebels to force farmers into hard labor for diamond hunting. This exploited the diamond market to finance their cause for control in their country. Many people died in this conflict in the expense of our hopes of having the perfect diamond ring sitting by the shop window.
Moreover, in the presence of climate change, conditions become harsher to stabilize economic growth. Dry spells hinder crop production. Earthquakes destroy infrastructure. When the economy becomes unstable, many people suffer.
There are many economics models to eradicate poverty however, the solution is still not clear. With ongoing issues of war, religion, race, discrimination, can we still work together to make the millenium goal (halving poverty incidence) by 2015? If we set aside our differences and allow transparency, will this be enough to stop poverty? Or is poverty a natural thing in the human world that should happen in order to negate prosperity? Is this the fate of the human race that we have to accept?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
What can we do to stop people from harming others?
People are neither naturally good or bad. People shape their behavior and personality depending on the stimuli they have to respond to. it depends on how things benefit them. We all don't know it but everything that we strive to do is motivated by positive rewards. A humblest do-gooder may have his own motive although not earthly, it can be for the benefit of his spiritual fulfillment (He saves to save himself from eternal damnation). We all do not know it and we may not intend to but we must face the fact that we do things that directly benefit us. It is natural for organisms like us for survival. After all, all that we seek in this world is happiness. We all have different different needs to make us happy. Everyone thinks for himself and it only depends on what way: the good way or the bad way.
However if we could observe, those who get to do good because of personal intentions, they have far less bad consequences that those who get to do evil. However, it is hard to determine if the deed is good or not. Some good deeds can be considered bad because they end up worsening a situation. Some acts of violence can bring change to the abused society which turns out to be a good result or a better option that leaving the suffering to take place. But no one really has clear answers to that unless the action has already been done. Let's just wait and see- as some may say. However, this kind of thinking may be the reason why we have so many issues and atrocities.
People in power will always address to their own needs before serving others. But to get to global solutions, only a few get to decide what should be done. But how can we be sure about their decisions? Are their solutions justifiable even if it involves violence? Is violence always our last resort?
Just like Wikipedia, I also believe that a global dialogue that involves civilians of the affected regions with the participation of other observer countries. People can make a good consensus of what to do best. Global leaders cannot be depended on because it's hard to get them together in one place. However, with the common people slowly gaining empowerment through the advancement of technology, we all should decide what is best for us.
Problems can be solved if we all listen. However, in order for everyone to listen, there should be trust in ourselves and to others. People should advocate a culture of respect. From now on, people should be sensitive about what to say and act over the internet or in different kinds of media. Internet and media may hold the key to global peace.
Hate in all forms can be a consequence of what we experience. If we are poorly treated, deprived or traumatized in stages of our growth, we can seed the experience inside of us until it bursts in later stages of our life. We cannot fully blame the person because he can be a victim himself. Many killers were abused as a child. The only way to stop this completely is if only every household instill love to all members. This is merely impossible knowing the nature of man. To stop violence, present society also use violence. The death penalty is one example. To cure a negative behavior, we can attach negative factors to be the direct effect of their actions. But this might just reverse the cycle and not stop it.
There is an economic approach to this. If we beat poverty, we could stop violence by at least 60%. Crimes and insurgencies are consequences of poverty. Many guerrilla groups and terrorists target the most marginalized for recruitment, poor children. They know that they have nowhere else to go and that they are easily swayed by blaming their current status on the current system. There is always a false promise of a better life. With the aid of guns, they now possess the power to reverse the oppression.
This could be prevented if the equality gap is narrowed. The poor remain poor because they have difficulty to opportunities and resort to easier means to sustain the family. If governments together with NGO's could lend money as microfinance to stimulate their own investments, people are more empowered to live a life in a different and meaningful direction. This method showed significant results in the insurgencies in Pakistan. This proves that million dollar aid efforts to Pakistan is less effective. The Rwandan president later claimed that international donations, billions in fact, did not help his country to stand on its own. This shifted the new movement from non profit organizations to for profit organizations.
What is the nature of the human person? Good? Evil? Neither? Both?
Why do people think they can do good?
What prevents them from doing good>
When is conflict justifiable?
What can world leaders do to end global conflict and violence?
What can they do to promote peace?
However if we could observe, those who get to do good because of personal intentions, they have far less bad consequences that those who get to do evil. However, it is hard to determine if the deed is good or not. Some good deeds can be considered bad because they end up worsening a situation. Some acts of violence can bring change to the abused society which turns out to be a good result or a better option that leaving the suffering to take place. But no one really has clear answers to that unless the action has already been done. Let's just wait and see- as some may say. However, this kind of thinking may be the reason why we have so many issues and atrocities.
People in power will always address to their own needs before serving others. But to get to global solutions, only a few get to decide what should be done. But how can we be sure about their decisions? Are their solutions justifiable even if it involves violence? Is violence always our last resort?
Just like Wikipedia, I also believe that a global dialogue that involves civilians of the affected regions with the participation of other observer countries. People can make a good consensus of what to do best. Global leaders cannot be depended on because it's hard to get them together in one place. However, with the common people slowly gaining empowerment through the advancement of technology, we all should decide what is best for us.
Problems can be solved if we all listen. However, in order for everyone to listen, there should be trust in ourselves and to others. People should advocate a culture of respect. From now on, people should be sensitive about what to say and act over the internet or in different kinds of media. Internet and media may hold the key to global peace.
Hate in all forms can be a consequence of what we experience. If we are poorly treated, deprived or traumatized in stages of our growth, we can seed the experience inside of us until it bursts in later stages of our life. We cannot fully blame the person because he can be a victim himself. Many killers were abused as a child. The only way to stop this completely is if only every household instill love to all members. This is merely impossible knowing the nature of man. To stop violence, present society also use violence. The death penalty is one example. To cure a negative behavior, we can attach negative factors to be the direct effect of their actions. But this might just reverse the cycle and not stop it.
There is an economic approach to this. If we beat poverty, we could stop violence by at least 60%. Crimes and insurgencies are consequences of poverty. Many guerrilla groups and terrorists target the most marginalized for recruitment, poor children. They know that they have nowhere else to go and that they are easily swayed by blaming their current status on the current system. There is always a false promise of a better life. With the aid of guns, they now possess the power to reverse the oppression.
This could be prevented if the equality gap is narrowed. The poor remain poor because they have difficulty to opportunities and resort to easier means to sustain the family. If governments together with NGO's could lend money as microfinance to stimulate their own investments, people are more empowered to live a life in a different and meaningful direction. This method showed significant results in the insurgencies in Pakistan. This proves that million dollar aid efforts to Pakistan is less effective. The Rwandan president later claimed that international donations, billions in fact, did not help his country to stand on its own. This shifted the new movement from non profit organizations to for profit organizations.
What is the nature of the human person? Good? Evil? Neither? Both?
Why do people think they can do good?
What prevents them from doing good>
When is conflict justifiable?
What can world leaders do to end global conflict and violence?
What can they do to promote peace?
How can we take advantage of virtual globalization?
Internet has opened doors to more possibilities. Like other modern inventions, internet was developed in the military to connect computers across the globe for military intelligence in the cold war. Email had been the primary use of the internet. One day, Sir Tim Berners Lee proposed a model to his boss that later
Tim Berners Lee was working for an underground operation of the intelligence of allied nations. He thought hat file sharing was slow and inefficient since one must know the exact file name to retrieve files from another computer. So he later wrote a proposal to better improve file sharing by a unified language, the html, and a server.
His solution allows more flexibility in the system that can bring more innovations to its functionality. Instead of patenting and profiting from his project, he generously opened it freely to the public. He believes that the ability to share information should be free to everyone. People can access to information from different parts of the world without having to pay for it. Soon, many webpages were developed for organizations, media groups and aesthetics. The most controversial move to take advantage of internet for profitability is Microsoft's internet explorer. In later years, business over the internet becomes a norm.
In 1994, a website intended to sell home made goods, took the initiative to make a virtual marketplace for everyone. They started by testing an auction of a damaged laser pointer. Surprisingly more than expected participated in the bid. They believe that any item you have in your home, wether damaged or in good working condition, can be of interest of someone in the other side of the world because people have a variety of tastes. This empowers both sellers (profit) and buyers (satisfaction). The internet has given more opportunities for common people to transact with a bargaining power. This auctioning site continues to grow and later purchased a financial site which allows easier electronic transfer of money from either your bank or credit/ debit card by only using and disclosing your email address while in a transaction. These companies are eBay and PayPal. They continue to grow and allow more flexible solutions for satisfactory experience and safety and security.
Many banks and other financial institutions establish their own e-transactions where banking transactions can be easily completed inside your bedroom with your laptop. Internet not only allows flexibility but also time freedom. You can easily access financial reports on your investments which contributed to the growing dependency of financial markets. Movement of capital becomes easier across borders. Because of the increasing attraction of money and vital information flowing over the internet, this cyberspace of freedom is challenged by people who want to abuse it. Identity theft and fraud still often happen even when secured websites have their own restrictive measures.
Terrorist groups use the internet to send information, that can be embedded in images on unsuspected websites, an innovation from the traditional and obvious email. Cyber terrorism has many varieties. Terrorists can use the internet to recruit and to spread their revelation. Since many computers and data base are linked with the internet, such as government and military documents and operating systems (some modern weapons can be used through the internet), terrorists try to penetrate their cyber territory to attack them from the inside. Ordinary citizens also deal with this kind of rebellion; however, more small scale, from computer hackers who send viruses or bugs. The world was in a state of panic when a notorious bug spread in 2000, the I Love You Bug. People realized that the dependency of the human civilization on the internet and computers is too immense that if there will be a complete shutdown of systems where financial, governmental and private institutions rely almost 75% or more, will create global chaos and destruction to the current civilization. The terminator series show the perfect apocalyptic example of cyber failure.
From the year 2000 and onwards, many sites offer more flexibility from their predecessors. Google expanded and developed surfing through the net with greater ease. People can easily search for websites by using keywords in a faster and most effective way. Chat sites also boomed during those years. People can now meet all kinds of people of different cultures in just one sitting. Group sites also progressed and allowed different people in all walks of life to unify by sharing common interests.
Businesses can now be easily transacted online. People themselves can be reporters and send their video reports and photos online. People can show their daily rants by posting videos online. The internet has given power to anyone. People can show their identity and expose it to the whole world. You can be your own star. Kids can bully kids further online. It hurts them more since it targets them emotionally. Scandals can easily spread o all parts of the world within hours. With power within their reach, they forgot about thinking of others.
We become too consumed about our own virtual world that we forget about the real world, the real communities that we live in. Many kids suffer from obesity because of virtual addiction. We rely on the internet to keep connected, but lose our connection to the real world.
But there is still hope for the world. People find ways to invite everyone to participate in change. Many donations can be done easily online. People can get a message across people easily through facebook. They can support an advocacy or a program online. People can discuss serious issues online and debate about them.
I keep updated with my favorite sports especially formula one and WRC. I have my own facebook account. I only have 4 friends in facebook because I don't use it like any college girl would do. I use my facebook to join groups to discuss relevant issues.
The internet has made things easier for me. I can use yahoomail to communicate with groupmates and transfer files for assignments through groups and express our opinions in our own blogs. I also use the internet for research especially in the field of economics.
We just have to keep our eyes open and realize that so many people around the world are not able to enjoy the internet as we have. We have to keep vigilant about the things going on around the world and use the internet to keep you in it and not away from it. We shall act beyond our PC's and laptops but with the assistance of these, to make a change. We live in a globalized world and we should make use of the technology that we are endowed with to help others understand the world they are living, bridging gaps and misunderstanding and encourage them to be aware and active.
Tim Berners Lee was working for an underground operation of the intelligence of allied nations. He thought hat file sharing was slow and inefficient since one must know the exact file name to retrieve files from another computer. So he later wrote a proposal to better improve file sharing by a unified language, the html, and a server.
His solution allows more flexibility in the system that can bring more innovations to its functionality. Instead of patenting and profiting from his project, he generously opened it freely to the public. He believes that the ability to share information should be free to everyone. People can access to information from different parts of the world without having to pay for it. Soon, many webpages were developed for organizations, media groups and aesthetics. The most controversial move to take advantage of internet for profitability is Microsoft's internet explorer. In later years, business over the internet becomes a norm.
In 1994, a website intended to sell home made goods, took the initiative to make a virtual marketplace for everyone. They started by testing an auction of a damaged laser pointer. Surprisingly more than expected participated in the bid. They believe that any item you have in your home, wether damaged or in good working condition, can be of interest of someone in the other side of the world because people have a variety of tastes. This empowers both sellers (profit) and buyers (satisfaction). The internet has given more opportunities for common people to transact with a bargaining power. This auctioning site continues to grow and later purchased a financial site which allows easier electronic transfer of money from either your bank or credit/ debit card by only using and disclosing your email address while in a transaction. These companies are eBay and PayPal. They continue to grow and allow more flexible solutions for satisfactory experience and safety and security.
Many banks and other financial institutions establish their own e-transactions where banking transactions can be easily completed inside your bedroom with your laptop. Internet not only allows flexibility but also time freedom. You can easily access financial reports on your investments which contributed to the growing dependency of financial markets. Movement of capital becomes easier across borders. Because of the increasing attraction of money and vital information flowing over the internet, this cyberspace of freedom is challenged by people who want to abuse it. Identity theft and fraud still often happen even when secured websites have their own restrictive measures.
Terrorist groups use the internet to send information, that can be embedded in images on unsuspected websites, an innovation from the traditional and obvious email. Cyber terrorism has many varieties. Terrorists can use the internet to recruit and to spread their revelation. Since many computers and data base are linked with the internet, such as government and military documents and operating systems (some modern weapons can be used through the internet), terrorists try to penetrate their cyber territory to attack them from the inside. Ordinary citizens also deal with this kind of rebellion; however, more small scale, from computer hackers who send viruses or bugs. The world was in a state of panic when a notorious bug spread in 2000, the I Love You Bug. People realized that the dependency of the human civilization on the internet and computers is too immense that if there will be a complete shutdown of systems where financial, governmental and private institutions rely almost 75% or more, will create global chaos and destruction to the current civilization. The terminator series show the perfect apocalyptic example of cyber failure.
From the year 2000 and onwards, many sites offer more flexibility from their predecessors. Google expanded and developed surfing through the net with greater ease. People can easily search for websites by using keywords in a faster and most effective way. Chat sites also boomed during those years. People can now meet all kinds of people of different cultures in just one sitting. Group sites also progressed and allowed different people in all walks of life to unify by sharing common interests.
Businesses can now be easily transacted online. People themselves can be reporters and send their video reports and photos online. People can show their daily rants by posting videos online. The internet has given power to anyone. People can show their identity and expose it to the whole world. You can be your own star. Kids can bully kids further online. It hurts them more since it targets them emotionally. Scandals can easily spread o all parts of the world within hours. With power within their reach, they forgot about thinking of others.
We become too consumed about our own virtual world that we forget about the real world, the real communities that we live in. Many kids suffer from obesity because of virtual addiction. We rely on the internet to keep connected, but lose our connection to the real world.
But there is still hope for the world. People find ways to invite everyone to participate in change. Many donations can be done easily online. People can get a message across people easily through facebook. They can support an advocacy or a program online. People can discuss serious issues online and debate about them.
I keep updated with my favorite sports especially formula one and WRC. I have my own facebook account. I only have 4 friends in facebook because I don't use it like any college girl would do. I use my facebook to join groups to discuss relevant issues.
The internet has made things easier for me. I can use yahoomail to communicate with groupmates and transfer files for assignments through groups and express our opinions in our own blogs. I also use the internet for research especially in the field of economics.
We just have to keep our eyes open and realize that so many people around the world are not able to enjoy the internet as we have. We have to keep vigilant about the things going on around the world and use the internet to keep you in it and not away from it. We shall act beyond our PC's and laptops but with the assistance of these, to make a change. We live in a globalized world and we should make use of the technology that we are endowed with to help others understand the world they are living, bridging gaps and misunderstanding and encourage them to be aware and active.
Why does politics turn to violence?
As long as human kind has any kind of need, everyone can be political, including a 3 year old boy. We have to satisfy whatever need we may have at the moment and to assure success we find ways socially to get what we want, either by force or by conversation.
Humans have always been violent when it comes to survival. We must not neglect the fact that we are animals. Like all other animals, when all else fail, we rely on our animal instincts to ensure survival. If conditions become difficult, in times of chaos, we may do acts that can be unimaginable in the civilized world.
Primitive man will do whatever it takes to claim the land that is most abundant. Since humans are adaptable in harsh conditions, the world population kept increasing which increased tensions in limited resources. Since man recognizes that he is better off in groups for survival, he must maintain and preserve the prosperity and future of the group. Other tribes are presumably deemed as threats. We have been through all kinds of violence over the years and kept evolving in different forms. Even in the presence of love can we find violence, in fact, more intensified.
Emotions can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Being emotional beings, we may be mindful of the feelings and welfare of others. But emotions can also get the best of us in the bad way. Our emotions, especially love, can bring about fear, and when there is fear, there is confusion. With confusion, we can abandon all the ethics and norms of the society and resort to the basics of survival. Emotions can hurt people psychologically that can have long term effects in the person's behavior. And we become worse at hurting others when we do it with passion or with some level of satisfaction that gratifies the need to fill any innate deficiency.
Wars and violence had always been the way of life of mankind and not so much nowadays. The bible has historical interpretations of many wars that the Jewish nation had to deal either inside or outside their territory. The biblical character Moses was a war strategist, who outsmarted the Egyptians in the desert terrain which he is familiar with. He lead the Jews through more than 50 years of battle against many tribes to reclaim Canaan. Killing during those times was necessary to secure the future of a civilization.
To protect the power, economy, territory and influence of a city-state, war was always the solution. Physical strength, courage and honor make a reputation and social status to the egocentric ancient man in a patriarchal society. War gives men a chance to test and prove themselves worthy in the battlefield. War is part of their way of life.
The norms and structure of social life are made up by man to preserve order and continuity for survival. This helped shape our laws, morals, social norms and beliefs. However, when the structures of society fail to sustain needs, violence will take over. When there is massive participation of chaos, there are no rules and no authority to control the situation. This may also be the reason why politics turn to violence in the first place to prevent a full scale social disaster.
Many of the well known tyrants use coercive measures to ensure submission to their prescribed system. They believe that with force and unconventional measures, long term order and prosperity can be prolonged.
Ideologies
Order made up by man
History of violence
Bible violence
way of life- honor, valor
Ordered society
Psychological
Leaders- necessary
Atrocities
Ideology/ Belief
Humans have always been violent when it comes to survival. We must not neglect the fact that we are animals. Like all other animals, when all else fail, we rely on our animal instincts to ensure survival. If conditions become difficult, in times of chaos, we may do acts that can be unimaginable in the civilized world.
Primitive man will do whatever it takes to claim the land that is most abundant. Since humans are adaptable in harsh conditions, the world population kept increasing which increased tensions in limited resources. Since man recognizes that he is better off in groups for survival, he must maintain and preserve the prosperity and future of the group. Other tribes are presumably deemed as threats. We have been through all kinds of violence over the years and kept evolving in different forms. Even in the presence of love can we find violence, in fact, more intensified.
Emotions can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Being emotional beings, we may be mindful of the feelings and welfare of others. But emotions can also get the best of us in the bad way. Our emotions, especially love, can bring about fear, and when there is fear, there is confusion. With confusion, we can abandon all the ethics and norms of the society and resort to the basics of survival. Emotions can hurt people psychologically that can have long term effects in the person's behavior. And we become worse at hurting others when we do it with passion or with some level of satisfaction that gratifies the need to fill any innate deficiency.
Wars and violence had always been the way of life of mankind and not so much nowadays. The bible has historical interpretations of many wars that the Jewish nation had to deal either inside or outside their territory. The biblical character Moses was a war strategist, who outsmarted the Egyptians in the desert terrain which he is familiar with. He lead the Jews through more than 50 years of battle against many tribes to reclaim Canaan. Killing during those times was necessary to secure the future of a civilization.
To protect the power, economy, territory and influence of a city-state, war was always the solution. Physical strength, courage and honor make a reputation and social status to the egocentric ancient man in a patriarchal society. War gives men a chance to test and prove themselves worthy in the battlefield. War is part of their way of life.
The norms and structure of social life are made up by man to preserve order and continuity for survival. This helped shape our laws, morals, social norms and beliefs. However, when the structures of society fail to sustain needs, violence will take over. When there is massive participation of chaos, there are no rules and no authority to control the situation. This may also be the reason why politics turn to violence in the first place to prevent a full scale social disaster.
Many of the well known tyrants use coercive measures to ensure submission to their prescribed system. They believe that with force and unconventional measures, long term order and prosperity can be prolonged.
Ideologies
Order made up by man
History of violence
Bible violence
way of life- honor, valor
Ordered society
Psychological
Leaders- necessary
Atrocities
Ideology/ Belief
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
How is the world organized economically?
The evolution and history of man has been a product of our changing demands for survival. Before humans are capable of a more advanced use of tools, we were gathering food (hunting, fruit/plant gathering) for survival. The prehistoric activities of man are demanding as it often involves migration and defense against predators which discovered population growth. After the ice age, since meat preservation became difficult (without ice) and lands can be cultivated, agriculture was invented. Regions that were able to progress to agriculture earlier became great civilizations. Most regions with higher abundance in natural resources and biodiversity often do not progress to this stage until later centuries. This was why countries in the northern hemisphere were able to progress faster than those in the southern hemisphere and in tropical conditions because they did not have the need to progress to agriculture earlier.
Civilizations in the middle east where the first civilizations were born graduated to agriculture with the use of neolithic tools. Because man can settle in one place, they often choose a place more suitable to agriculture, which paved the way of concentrating a population to one place creating a civilization.
People in those days farm only what their family needs for survival- subsistence farming. Since tools were simple in those days, families also had to provide for their own. With a bigger population concentrated, many harsh conditions such as water shortage were encountered which encouraged the population to organize and centralize leadership. Early governments were formed to solve economic issues such as water shortage and land disputes. Later, irrigation systems were invented to increase production of harvest. Taxation was laer introduced by Egyptians. However, total output of a household may not be enough for their daily survival because of varying factors. This encouraged barter. Some households are more efficient (least costly, more expertise) in tool making or goat raising than other households that are better at cultivation. So they bartered usually according to their relative marginal utilities. The differences in skills and expertise caused the social divide among the rich and the poor. Because of increasing population, some families were displaced and can no longer hold their own land. Some employ themselves in slavery.
Since gold and other metals were the most demanded (most exchangeable in barter) items in barter, the Lydians invented coins that later became the legal tender of transactions. This started the money system that we know today. Because of coins, trade expanded. Many civilizations travel for trade.
As populations and political power grew. leaders find the need of military expansion for more resources and wealth. Many warring tribes and civilizations seek territorial control which ensures economic and military control. Many dominant civilizations were able to control most of Europe but not as organized as the Roman empire. The roman empire organized economic logistics across conquered lands by building roads, infrastructure and postal and transport system. The Roman empire did not focus in agriculture but in gold and other precious stones. They were the first close counter part of the "conquistadors".
In the middle ages, feudalism was the dominant economic system. Sadly, there are economies still following this system. The monarchs found a way to win more political power among their allies. Only the privileged few, those who were close to the monarchs, owned lands. The rest had no choice but to work for them. The common people suffered for they did not have the incentive to produce optimally but they were getting less than what they work for. This widened the inequitable gap between the rich (monarchs and lords) and the poor (farmers and craftsmen).
When the crusades brought back the lost culture of ancient Rome and Greece which were preserved and diversified by Arabs and the east, many merchants sought the opportunity to get as much classical culture back to Europe. In addition, the mongol empire opened possible trade routes from Asia. Renaissance, "rebirth", of the celebration of being human added the recognition of the relationship of man with God. The middle class was able to rise at this time because of their power in trade and culture, downgrading the monarch's absolute power. Businesses can now flourish among the common people and not only limited to royal dealings. Interests in trading with the east grew as spices, silk and porcelain proved to be products that cannot be easily replicated. Because of trade, Europe has become a sponge that applied shared knowledge to their own technology and infrastructure. European kingdoms also sought the opportunity to widen their perspective in business by exporting as much products to boost their gold reserves for military funding- the way of mercantilism. Early European nations pitted against each other for a quest to gain more gold for power; thus, the traditional thinking of patronizing own goods or exports against competing goods or imports.
Knowledge and technology especially Philosophy from the east were able to penetrate European borders. People began to think beyond what the Church has been preaching about the world. Because of the reawakening of interests in philosophy, people began to ask questions which paved the way to the idea of conquest. When the Ottoman Empire grew and took control of trade routes from East Asia, European nations were were not able to get enough supply of spices to preserve meat in the summer. So, the price of spices went up, hurting their gold reserves which motivated exploration of new trade routes through the seas.
The age of conquest opened many doors for economic expansion for the European states. In a continent where many states are closely together and where territorial disputes were most frequent, expansion to different parts of the world was the alternative solution. Maintaining a colony in a less advanced civilization yields more economic benefit. When the black plague wiped out a huge number of Europeans, colonies were able to cover for labor losses and sustain production. Monopolies flourished during the colonial age. To control the economies of scale and mass production for the European demand, many fertile lands in colonies were invested in specific harvests; thus, hurting the food supply of the colonized.
When the use of coal to convert many forms of energy became widespread, many economies including the colonizers entered the age of industrialization. Production of goods became faster. With more resources to spare, thanks to their colonies, total output outnumbered the output demanded by the population. Imperialists export goods to potential markets; however, found it more profitable to dump in colonies (huge population). In the opening of Suez Canal, trades between the east and west grew which also complicates the growing number of transactions overseas. As a result, a sophisticated financial system backed up with a more established banking system paved the way to easier investment across countries. Capitalism became more competitive. More firms entered industries such limiting the market power of state monopolies. Monopolies were later deemed inefficient and unfavorable compared to a competitive market.
Some countries realized that the new capitalism allowed more disparity in society making the rich richer. Thus, the rise of communist and socialist ideas. During this period, economic functions were regulated by governments more so to socialist countries. In the aftermath of the first world war, Germany economy suffered from heavy sanctions imposed by the league of nations. The heavily regulated financial system of states suffered as many economies were not able to recovery from the destruction brought by the world war. At the time of the Great Depression, many countries abandon the gold standard as their currency plunged. Germany was in a dire state and sought a solution in the leadership of Adolf Hitler, another war.
The war helped in the recovery of nations such as the United States. Women were given more opportunities to work in factories to support the war of men. Demand for mass production of weapons increased the productivity of many nations. The major contribution of the war was the advancement of technology that could later be applied from warfare to the commercial market. Examples are the nuclear project and the jet engine which was early developed by the Germans later in the war. Morale is an important factor for victory. US started a media campaign to boost the morale of the soldiers through film making and print ads.
In the aftermath of the second world war, the world financial system re-organized; thus, allowing more financial and loan movement among countries (with the establishment of IMF and WB). Countries adopted a more deregulated and free system. This also started the movement for financial aid which plays a big role in foreign policy and economic development today. Imperialist countries soon realized the strict compliance of international rights and standards and slowly left their colonies. Also, the colonized were beginning to be fully aware of their rights which made it too costly to control civil unrest.
Media also evolved during the war. Print ads and film became a powerful force to manipulate emotions as tried in the war. It played a big role in stirring impulses in the age of consumerism. And in the post war world, economies were increasingly becoming dependent of oil. This allowed the perfection of the cartel as an economic structure for oil producing countries, especially in the Middle East. The dependence can bring a new shock to any economy. Just as what happened to the US in the oil embargo. The economy suffered.
Protectionist policies were proven costly by many economists. A country may gain more when specializing on goods relatively cheaper than the others than producing every good that the economy demands. This is the principle behind free trade- Comparative advantage. Many people disagree with the optimism of free trade for it raises many questions about neocolonialism. Protectionists fear that upon opening to trade, poor countries will just feed multinational corporations more power and money leaving local industries to suffer. However, some argue that upon opening to trade, countries have the opportunity to develop and improve household income for it stimulates more production and more jobs. But with the American culture and media dominating foreign markets, developing countries will find it hard to keep up in a globalized world.
Abundance in any type of factor of production makes that abundant factor cheap. To maximize profits for economic efficiency, many firms opt to take advantage on cheaper markets for labor, capital and other materials. One example is the labor transfer for outsourcing companies to India, China, Guatemala and the Philippines. This opened the debate of freer mobility of factors across boarders through integration. Global Ties have been increasingly important especially in the internet age where information, knowledge and services can be easily transferred across borders virtually.
With the complexity of economic and financial systems, world economies are woven together in an interdependent relationship. In order to progress, a country must not turn away from the global trade. Economic globalization becomes more sophisticated in the presence of cultural politics and wars. Economic motives must be kept hidden to not attract too much international opposition. So politicians usually plant plots about security tensions to make sense of a military move that is economically motivated.
Civilizations in the middle east where the first civilizations were born graduated to agriculture with the use of neolithic tools. Because man can settle in one place, they often choose a place more suitable to agriculture, which paved the way of concentrating a population to one place creating a civilization.
People in those days farm only what their family needs for survival- subsistence farming. Since tools were simple in those days, families also had to provide for their own. With a bigger population concentrated, many harsh conditions such as water shortage were encountered which encouraged the population to organize and centralize leadership. Early governments were formed to solve economic issues such as water shortage and land disputes. Later, irrigation systems were invented to increase production of harvest. Taxation was laer introduced by Egyptians. However, total output of a household may not be enough for their daily survival because of varying factors. This encouraged barter. Some households are more efficient (least costly, more expertise) in tool making or goat raising than other households that are better at cultivation. So they bartered usually according to their relative marginal utilities. The differences in skills and expertise caused the social divide among the rich and the poor. Because of increasing population, some families were displaced and can no longer hold their own land. Some employ themselves in slavery.
Since gold and other metals were the most demanded (most exchangeable in barter) items in barter, the Lydians invented coins that later became the legal tender of transactions. This started the money system that we know today. Because of coins, trade expanded. Many civilizations travel for trade.
As populations and political power grew. leaders find the need of military expansion for more resources and wealth. Many warring tribes and civilizations seek territorial control which ensures economic and military control. Many dominant civilizations were able to control most of Europe but not as organized as the Roman empire. The roman empire organized economic logistics across conquered lands by building roads, infrastructure and postal and transport system. The Roman empire did not focus in agriculture but in gold and other precious stones. They were the first close counter part of the "conquistadors".
In the middle ages, feudalism was the dominant economic system. Sadly, there are economies still following this system. The monarchs found a way to win more political power among their allies. Only the privileged few, those who were close to the monarchs, owned lands. The rest had no choice but to work for them. The common people suffered for they did not have the incentive to produce optimally but they were getting less than what they work for. This widened the inequitable gap between the rich (monarchs and lords) and the poor (farmers and craftsmen).
When the crusades brought back the lost culture of ancient Rome and Greece which were preserved and diversified by Arabs and the east, many merchants sought the opportunity to get as much classical culture back to Europe. In addition, the mongol empire opened possible trade routes from Asia. Renaissance, "rebirth", of the celebration of being human added the recognition of the relationship of man with God. The middle class was able to rise at this time because of their power in trade and culture, downgrading the monarch's absolute power. Businesses can now flourish among the common people and not only limited to royal dealings. Interests in trading with the east grew as spices, silk and porcelain proved to be products that cannot be easily replicated. Because of trade, Europe has become a sponge that applied shared knowledge to their own technology and infrastructure. European kingdoms also sought the opportunity to widen their perspective in business by exporting as much products to boost their gold reserves for military funding- the way of mercantilism. Early European nations pitted against each other for a quest to gain more gold for power; thus, the traditional thinking of patronizing own goods or exports against competing goods or imports.
Knowledge and technology especially Philosophy from the east were able to penetrate European borders. People began to think beyond what the Church has been preaching about the world. Because of the reawakening of interests in philosophy, people began to ask questions which paved the way to the idea of conquest. When the Ottoman Empire grew and took control of trade routes from East Asia, European nations were were not able to get enough supply of spices to preserve meat in the summer. So, the price of spices went up, hurting their gold reserves which motivated exploration of new trade routes through the seas.
The age of conquest opened many doors for economic expansion for the European states. In a continent where many states are closely together and where territorial disputes were most frequent, expansion to different parts of the world was the alternative solution. Maintaining a colony in a less advanced civilization yields more economic benefit. When the black plague wiped out a huge number of Europeans, colonies were able to cover for labor losses and sustain production. Monopolies flourished during the colonial age. To control the economies of scale and mass production for the European demand, many fertile lands in colonies were invested in specific harvests; thus, hurting the food supply of the colonized.
When the use of coal to convert many forms of energy became widespread, many economies including the colonizers entered the age of industrialization. Production of goods became faster. With more resources to spare, thanks to their colonies, total output outnumbered the output demanded by the population. Imperialists export goods to potential markets; however, found it more profitable to dump in colonies (huge population). In the opening of Suez Canal, trades between the east and west grew which also complicates the growing number of transactions overseas. As a result, a sophisticated financial system backed up with a more established banking system paved the way to easier investment across countries. Capitalism became more competitive. More firms entered industries such limiting the market power of state monopolies. Monopolies were later deemed inefficient and unfavorable compared to a competitive market.
Some countries realized that the new capitalism allowed more disparity in society making the rich richer. Thus, the rise of communist and socialist ideas. During this period, economic functions were regulated by governments more so to socialist countries. In the aftermath of the first world war, Germany economy suffered from heavy sanctions imposed by the league of nations. The heavily regulated financial system of states suffered as many economies were not able to recovery from the destruction brought by the world war. At the time of the Great Depression, many countries abandon the gold standard as their currency plunged. Germany was in a dire state and sought a solution in the leadership of Adolf Hitler, another war.
The war helped in the recovery of nations such as the United States. Women were given more opportunities to work in factories to support the war of men. Demand for mass production of weapons increased the productivity of many nations. The major contribution of the war was the advancement of technology that could later be applied from warfare to the commercial market. Examples are the nuclear project and the jet engine which was early developed by the Germans later in the war. Morale is an important factor for victory. US started a media campaign to boost the morale of the soldiers through film making and print ads.
In the aftermath of the second world war, the world financial system re-organized; thus, allowing more financial and loan movement among countries (with the establishment of IMF and WB). Countries adopted a more deregulated and free system. This also started the movement for financial aid which plays a big role in foreign policy and economic development today. Imperialist countries soon realized the strict compliance of international rights and standards and slowly left their colonies. Also, the colonized were beginning to be fully aware of their rights which made it too costly to control civil unrest.
Media also evolved during the war. Print ads and film became a powerful force to manipulate emotions as tried in the war. It played a big role in stirring impulses in the age of consumerism. And in the post war world, economies were increasingly becoming dependent of oil. This allowed the perfection of the cartel as an economic structure for oil producing countries, especially in the Middle East. The dependence can bring a new shock to any economy. Just as what happened to the US in the oil embargo. The economy suffered.
Protectionist policies were proven costly by many economists. A country may gain more when specializing on goods relatively cheaper than the others than producing every good that the economy demands. This is the principle behind free trade- Comparative advantage. Many people disagree with the optimism of free trade for it raises many questions about neocolonialism. Protectionists fear that upon opening to trade, poor countries will just feed multinational corporations more power and money leaving local industries to suffer. However, some argue that upon opening to trade, countries have the opportunity to develop and improve household income for it stimulates more production and more jobs. But with the American culture and media dominating foreign markets, developing countries will find it hard to keep up in a globalized world.
Abundance in any type of factor of production makes that abundant factor cheap. To maximize profits for economic efficiency, many firms opt to take advantage on cheaper markets for labor, capital and other materials. One example is the labor transfer for outsourcing companies to India, China, Guatemala and the Philippines. This opened the debate of freer mobility of factors across boarders through integration. Global Ties have been increasingly important especially in the internet age where information, knowledge and services can be easily transferred across borders virtually.
With the complexity of economic and financial systems, world economies are woven together in an interdependent relationship. In order to progress, a country must not turn away from the global trade. Economic globalization becomes more sophisticated in the presence of cultural politics and wars. Economic motives must be kept hidden to not attract too much international opposition. So politicians usually plant plots about security tensions to make sense of a military move that is economically motivated.
Do colonialism and slavery belong to the past?
Ancient Civilizations would not be as revered today without the help of the people who built them. As the the population in the civilization increased, control was inevitable because it was a political and economic solution to growing problems in resources. People were engaged in subsistence farming- What you harvest or care is what you eat. However as the population rises, lands were becoming scarce and insufficient to cover other new families. Lands had been divided into smaller parcels to the sons until the next generation and the next until there is no room for more. With smaller parcels to harvest and bigger families to feed, some farmers abandon their subsistence farming as it wasn't sufficient and efficient (more costs- time and effort than enough outputs to feed) anymore. Instead, they started to trade other things of their production for produce from other farmers who had bigger lands.
This is where trade began. Farmers who were not efficient enough to produce their own food ventured in other activities instead that may produce something more efficiently which will be beneficial to the harvest of their trading partner (the efficient farmer). At this time, a political system has already been present however not as influential. Because of many wars from different nearby tribes and other conflicts within the civilization regarding land disputes, the total output of the civilization was not sufficient for the whole population. With the addition of other natural causes such as river flooding and lowering fertility of the land, resources were becoming scarce. A central intervention in the economics process had to be done to improve the efficiency of the system. Economic activities were centralized and monitored by the monarchs. Because of economies of scale, the civilization gained surplus in production. The profits were used to finance structural projects.
With more political and military pressure pressing, the rush for the completion of the projects was prioritized. The gains of the total output of the civilization has been reaped by the governing monarchs. The people were worse off when they were forced to work more than they were paid and they had no choice. The people closest to the monarchs were entitled to own parts of land to ensure their allegiance. But the common people were left to do the dirty work. The common people had no choice but to work for their security but in turn their dignity suffered. The rulers become richer and more militarily competent while its people suffer in return.
Since human culture was still in its early stages, the human race was still new to diversity. People thought that their race or their kingdom was better than the others. Their loyalty to their kingdom was so immense because their security depends on it. This was why there was the feeling of superiority towards other kingdoms which was why many ruling powers took their conquered lands and treated them as prized assets. Captured civilians were treated as slaves, taking resources such as labor for free. This was why many ancient civilizations engaged in military exploits for economic reasons above all (military power, dominance) because they were able to capture resources and sometimes monopolize them with a gain exponentially higher than the costs of warfare.
After the reign of ancient civilizations, the top religions were spreading and growing even further. In the Catholic world during the middle ages, the Church was able to exploit the common people by teaching the perception of suffering on earth as a testament of faith. The more pain and suffering we endure, the more likely the gates of heaven will open for us. The Church needed the monarchs to ensure the spread of Christianity among its people. It was a win-win situation for both sides since the monarchs can use religion for slavery through the feudal system. The common people were powerless as they accepted their fate on earth and that is to suffer, many of which were happy to work for the sake of salvation.
Christian and Muslim kingdom had their own military exploits in this period. Using religion as their banner, they were able to conquer and colonize lands for their own economic benefit. Before, there were tensions among kingdoms, but when the renaissance movement emerged, many states were formed which structured people's understanding of nationality. The middle class such as the merchants emerged upon more access in trading with the east. More technology, scientific knowledge and philosophy were introduced. This empowered some but not all the common people. People began to question old tradition and authority. In the age of enlightenment, many people challenged the Church by testing their radical theories about the world. The Church's power over the state has become limited but still very influential. Newly formed nations were pitting against each other in terms of power and wealth. This motivated the obsession to explore the unknown to find easier roots to the east for faster trade.
The conquistadors discovered that the people in the new world are "savages" therefore not deserving fair treatment in trading. They realized that they can get the most of the voyage by colonizing instead of trading with them as if they were "rational". They had the technology and military tools to overpower the natives and take advantage of the resources. Since the common people Europe became aware of their rights and the abuses of the monarchs and the church that many revolutions and reformations occurred. This encouraged the transfer of most of the labor to the colonies, which can be easier to control with poorly managed conditions.
Europe was in the race to expand by getting as much resources to build a stronger military force. Spices and gold were the most sought after in colonies. Because the gap of cultures and development between the colonized and the colonizers was wide, the colonizers either regarded the colonized as irrational animals or evil people who need to suffer more for the sake of their salvation. The colonized were abused with poor working conditions, more labor hours, heavy taxation and low pay. This maximized the economies of scale with more labor, vast lands and resources to exploit.
When the use of coal and steam was introduced to power machines, labor productivity significantly increased that raised production levels to a new high. Because of higher productivity, efficiency and quantity supplied, more products can be available to consumers with a cheaper price. Because of higher returns, many farmers in European countries were encouraged to abandon their farming lands and instead seek employment in newly established factories. This pressured the colonized to increase their production in agriculture and mining for the raw materials of the rapidly growing industries. Many European countries were thriving in the global economy that their production exceeds the consumption of their goods. So not only that the colonized were the hard low productivity labor, the colonized were also used as a market place to sell production surplus.
Many households in Europe were getting richer that they had the demand to get labor from colonized countries to serve for them as slaves. In addition, the population growth slowed down because of diseases and wars. Emerging economies such as the United States of America, did not have its own outside colony since they expanded within its continent instead. American Indians were thought more as threats that was why they preferred outside slaves, such as those from Africa. The demand for slaves in the US was high because they were more land and capital abundant. The production surplus of the US exceeded the demand that they had no choice but to find a way to colonize their own market place. They were eying China as the biggest consumer base however many other countries were after the same thing. The Americans' alternative to the issue became clear when the Filipinos sought help from the Americans for their independence from Spain. This gave the Americans an alternative to their consumer base problem. So they took advantage, betrayed and colonized the Philippines instead. Although, the Americans did not prioritize production in the country as much as the previous colonizers did, instead of being production slaves, the country became consumption slaves.
Democracy and not religion has become the new banner of colonization. Democracy empowers the common people; therefore, more successful in economic and political terms compared to earlier colonization propaganda. This opened the doors to a freer market and encouraged labor rights awareness. However, the motives of capitalism remain questionable to other societies.
Slavery has always been the norm in human history. We all have our own needs and wants and we use them to manipulate one another. Slavery as a norm is a thing of the past; however, it still exists in other forms. Some say that neocolonialism is the new driver for slavery. However, some argue that what matters is job opportunities for the masses when a country solely cannot provide for the population. This also can present positive spill over effects to industries and the economy as a whole. The training, knowledge, technology and expertise gained from foreign companies can influence the region; thus, paving the way for technological and knowledge advancement. People fear that the very existence of the dependency of an economy for labor and consumption is a slavery trap. Some countries such as the Philippines still depend on other economies for job opportunities especially in the health sector. But it all comes down to the economy's ability to shift the dependency to a long term benefit by translating gains to infrastructure and institutional support to create a more independent economy in the future.
This is where trade began. Farmers who were not efficient enough to produce their own food ventured in other activities instead that may produce something more efficiently which will be beneficial to the harvest of their trading partner (the efficient farmer). At this time, a political system has already been present however not as influential. Because of many wars from different nearby tribes and other conflicts within the civilization regarding land disputes, the total output of the civilization was not sufficient for the whole population. With the addition of other natural causes such as river flooding and lowering fertility of the land, resources were becoming scarce. A central intervention in the economics process had to be done to improve the efficiency of the system. Economic activities were centralized and monitored by the monarchs. Because of economies of scale, the civilization gained surplus in production. The profits were used to finance structural projects.
With more political and military pressure pressing, the rush for the completion of the projects was prioritized. The gains of the total output of the civilization has been reaped by the governing monarchs. The people were worse off when they were forced to work more than they were paid and they had no choice. The people closest to the monarchs were entitled to own parts of land to ensure their allegiance. But the common people were left to do the dirty work. The common people had no choice but to work for their security but in turn their dignity suffered. The rulers become richer and more militarily competent while its people suffer in return.
Since human culture was still in its early stages, the human race was still new to diversity. People thought that their race or their kingdom was better than the others. Their loyalty to their kingdom was so immense because their security depends on it. This was why there was the feeling of superiority towards other kingdoms which was why many ruling powers took their conquered lands and treated them as prized assets. Captured civilians were treated as slaves, taking resources such as labor for free. This was why many ancient civilizations engaged in military exploits for economic reasons above all (military power, dominance) because they were able to capture resources and sometimes monopolize them with a gain exponentially higher than the costs of warfare.
After the reign of ancient civilizations, the top religions were spreading and growing even further. In the Catholic world during the middle ages, the Church was able to exploit the common people by teaching the perception of suffering on earth as a testament of faith. The more pain and suffering we endure, the more likely the gates of heaven will open for us. The Church needed the monarchs to ensure the spread of Christianity among its people. It was a win-win situation for both sides since the monarchs can use religion for slavery through the feudal system. The common people were powerless as they accepted their fate on earth and that is to suffer, many of which were happy to work for the sake of salvation.
Christian and Muslim kingdom had their own military exploits in this period. Using religion as their banner, they were able to conquer and colonize lands for their own economic benefit. Before, there were tensions among kingdoms, but when the renaissance movement emerged, many states were formed which structured people's understanding of nationality. The middle class such as the merchants emerged upon more access in trading with the east. More technology, scientific knowledge and philosophy were introduced. This empowered some but not all the common people. People began to question old tradition and authority. In the age of enlightenment, many people challenged the Church by testing their radical theories about the world. The Church's power over the state has become limited but still very influential. Newly formed nations were pitting against each other in terms of power and wealth. This motivated the obsession to explore the unknown to find easier roots to the east for faster trade.
The conquistadors discovered that the people in the new world are "savages" therefore not deserving fair treatment in trading. They realized that they can get the most of the voyage by colonizing instead of trading with them as if they were "rational". They had the technology and military tools to overpower the natives and take advantage of the resources. Since the common people Europe became aware of their rights and the abuses of the monarchs and the church that many revolutions and reformations occurred. This encouraged the transfer of most of the labor to the colonies, which can be easier to control with poorly managed conditions.
Europe was in the race to expand by getting as much resources to build a stronger military force. Spices and gold were the most sought after in colonies. Because the gap of cultures and development between the colonized and the colonizers was wide, the colonizers either regarded the colonized as irrational animals or evil people who need to suffer more for the sake of their salvation. The colonized were abused with poor working conditions, more labor hours, heavy taxation and low pay. This maximized the economies of scale with more labor, vast lands and resources to exploit.
When the use of coal and steam was introduced to power machines, labor productivity significantly increased that raised production levels to a new high. Because of higher productivity, efficiency and quantity supplied, more products can be available to consumers with a cheaper price. Because of higher returns, many farmers in European countries were encouraged to abandon their farming lands and instead seek employment in newly established factories. This pressured the colonized to increase their production in agriculture and mining for the raw materials of the rapidly growing industries. Many European countries were thriving in the global economy that their production exceeds the consumption of their goods. So not only that the colonized were the hard low productivity labor, the colonized were also used as a market place to sell production surplus.
Many households in Europe were getting richer that they had the demand to get labor from colonized countries to serve for them as slaves. In addition, the population growth slowed down because of diseases and wars. Emerging economies such as the United States of America, did not have its own outside colony since they expanded within its continent instead. American Indians were thought more as threats that was why they preferred outside slaves, such as those from Africa. The demand for slaves in the US was high because they were more land and capital abundant. The production surplus of the US exceeded the demand that they had no choice but to find a way to colonize their own market place. They were eying China as the biggest consumer base however many other countries were after the same thing. The Americans' alternative to the issue became clear when the Filipinos sought help from the Americans for their independence from Spain. This gave the Americans an alternative to their consumer base problem. So they took advantage, betrayed and colonized the Philippines instead. Although, the Americans did not prioritize production in the country as much as the previous colonizers did, instead of being production slaves, the country became consumption slaves.
Democracy and not religion has become the new banner of colonization. Democracy empowers the common people; therefore, more successful in economic and political terms compared to earlier colonization propaganda. This opened the doors to a freer market and encouraged labor rights awareness. However, the motives of capitalism remain questionable to other societies.
Slavery has always been the norm in human history. We all have our own needs and wants and we use them to manipulate one another. Slavery as a norm is a thing of the past; however, it still exists in other forms. Some say that neocolonialism is the new driver for slavery. However, some argue that what matters is job opportunities for the masses when a country solely cannot provide for the population. This also can present positive spill over effects to industries and the economy as a whole. The training, knowledge, technology and expertise gained from foreign companies can influence the region; thus, paving the way for technological and knowledge advancement. People fear that the very existence of the dependency of an economy for labor and consumption is a slavery trap. Some countries such as the Philippines still depend on other economies for job opportunities especially in the health sector. But it all comes down to the economy's ability to shift the dependency to a long term benefit by translating gains to infrastructure and institutional support to create a more independent economy in the future.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Why is the world divided territorially?
Many animals are territorial. It is part of their instinct. In order to survive, they have to live in a habitat where food is bountiful and where security against all foes in the food chain is assured. Humans are no different. Like other animals, our territories change when food is scarce. Early humans transfer to another area when they have exhausted the resources of the land. They reside in places where there are qualities of natural strongholds such as caves. With the discovery of fire, they were able to strengthen their defenses against unwanted trespassers. Security from internal factors (utilize resources and keeping them for their consumption) and from external factors (predators and other tribes) was the major purpose of territory in the past. But as humans progressed, after the discovery of harvesting, humans are now able to stay permanently. Many civilizations emerged and most of them in nearby rivers to sustain harvesting needs. As the population grew, a need for order was placed for the survival of the society. When there is a need for order, there should be an authoritative body to keep and implement it. This changed the ball game of territories.
Leaders of their respective civilization effectively kept order within. But until what extent? Until where will their power can be effective considering the costs and the effort to control? To formalize the legitimacy of the power of the authorities, a clear understanding of what its boundaries must be made. However, many other groups were forming around the land. This was seen as a threat to the order within. Thus, there was a strategic consideration of the landscape of its borders. It would be ideal if territories are separated by mountain ranges, rivers, cliffs and seas. Not only that these physical features offer protection from the outside but also these are road blocks for the authorities or for its economy to reach out to the civiliians (if ever) beyond these separative landscapes. The key in this situation is control.
But as civilizations grew stronger, many tensions between them both economically and politically came forth. Area of territory became associated with power. As the population grew, there was more labor for economic and military purposes. However, the resources within its borders are not sufficient for their growing number. In other cases, lands became harsh for having a stable living (climate, volcanic activity, etc) thus a need for either abandoning and exploring a better replacement or extending the territory. In most cases, extension was the ideal action. Many wars took place because of this. When trade and market became the life blood of the economy as states evolved, territorial conquest for the purpose of extracting more expensive resources had been prioritized. In ancient Rome, the empire concentrated on the conquest of the deserts in the Middle East. It was a mystery for the deserts were desolated, dry and inhabitable lands. But the Romans endured its treacherous lands because, as recently discovered, its lands are abundant in emeralds.
With the absence of natural fortification came the many innovative man made walls for defense. Territory became the subject of religion especially in the dark ages. Because the people where reminded of the fall of Rome despite its military power from outside tribes, many Catholic European states question their security in the rapid spread of islam from both sides of Europe. It was also during this time when the feudalistic treatment to property was dominant. There were many local wars among nobles fighting for their lands. Europe was divided even further. But with Charlemagne, many Western European states are united again.
In the age of exploration, even between seas, territory can be extended in a colony. Many lands in the south were occupied and claimed by Europeans. Now that the world was finally open to them, thanks to Magellan, the race of territorial ownership of the unexplored lands had begun. Their extended territory did not need to be inhabited by its citizens but only a few were to stay to control and exploit the aborigines and their lands. Does a territory make a state? Would a territory be considered a territory even without sovereignty? Or does the state make the territory? The colonization of many nations in this age raised more ambiguity in the definition of territory. It need not be an area where the central authority is bordered. The territory can be an area not attached to the central state. It can be miles away from its central authority. The Jewish nation and its territory is still a question.
The question on how the world is divided has no clear answer as there are many causes and cases for what happened to each nation that established their borders. Historians say that the Philippines would not be an archipelago nation without the colonization of the Spaniards. If we were not colonized, the Philippines would have been 3 or maybe 4 separate nations just like the different nations around the Carribean region. Many countries especially in Asia are evidence themselves of imperialism. Countries would have been united or separated if it were not the arrival of the Europeans.
The early notion of a nation is that it must have within its territory a common people, in race and religion. This early notion caused many civil wars and inter-country wars. But as many nations survive through centuries, the sense of nationalism grew within them especially in the aftermath of revolutions that gave rise to the power of democracy. Thus the world is now not divided territorially, which is the physical aspect, but divided nationalistically, which is the social aspect. If a big social group in a region of a country recognized a need for autonomy from the state, they will continue to fight for their separation from the state. This often happens when a group is a representation of a minority in religion, ethnicity or even in principles in the emergence of different ideologies (USSR western states separated from motherland, North separated from South Korea, East and West Germany).
But now things have changed in the emergence of globalization. Before, people see the economic advantage in acquiring more territories for more resources. But now, people recognize the established territories and promote a freer flow of goods, services and capital considering the physical and social barriers.
Regionalism is the buzz word nowadays. The world is seen as one marketplace. Technology has made this possible. The cost of consumption, production and distribution will be reduced in the abatement of barriers. Europe is slowly acting as if it is one state, which is made possible by EU. Their economic performance has heightened. Maybe soon, Asian nations will be Asian states of a region. Many see this as an opportunity for growth. But many questions are raised in the free flow of service or labor. We cannot deny that Filipinos can be found in every corner of the globe. Imagine if there were freer flow of labor in the world, it will be difficult to distinguish an Asian nation from a European nation (socially) when more Asians are able to enter the continent. But will sovereignty of nations suffer in the advancement of regionalism? This vision may be a good thing since there may be a chance that the world might become more unified. But will this cause more misunderstanding among cultures? Will there be a saturation of cultures? Will this destroy the identity of a nation? Will the destruction of identities lead to more destruction? Is there a need for a defined separation of states? Will this unification exist virtually only?
Leaders of their respective civilization effectively kept order within. But until what extent? Until where will their power can be effective considering the costs and the effort to control? To formalize the legitimacy of the power of the authorities, a clear understanding of what its boundaries must be made. However, many other groups were forming around the land. This was seen as a threat to the order within. Thus, there was a strategic consideration of the landscape of its borders. It would be ideal if territories are separated by mountain ranges, rivers, cliffs and seas. Not only that these physical features offer protection from the outside but also these are road blocks for the authorities or for its economy to reach out to the civiliians (if ever) beyond these separative landscapes. The key in this situation is control.
But as civilizations grew stronger, many tensions between them both economically and politically came forth. Area of territory became associated with power. As the population grew, there was more labor for economic and military purposes. However, the resources within its borders are not sufficient for their growing number. In other cases, lands became harsh for having a stable living (climate, volcanic activity, etc) thus a need for either abandoning and exploring a better replacement or extending the territory. In most cases, extension was the ideal action. Many wars took place because of this. When trade and market became the life blood of the economy as states evolved, territorial conquest for the purpose of extracting more expensive resources had been prioritized. In ancient Rome, the empire concentrated on the conquest of the deserts in the Middle East. It was a mystery for the deserts were desolated, dry and inhabitable lands. But the Romans endured its treacherous lands because, as recently discovered, its lands are abundant in emeralds.
With the absence of natural fortification came the many innovative man made walls for defense. Territory became the subject of religion especially in the dark ages. Because the people where reminded of the fall of Rome despite its military power from outside tribes, many Catholic European states question their security in the rapid spread of islam from both sides of Europe. It was also during this time when the feudalistic treatment to property was dominant. There were many local wars among nobles fighting for their lands. Europe was divided even further. But with Charlemagne, many Western European states are united again.
In the age of exploration, even between seas, territory can be extended in a colony. Many lands in the south were occupied and claimed by Europeans. Now that the world was finally open to them, thanks to Magellan, the race of territorial ownership of the unexplored lands had begun. Their extended territory did not need to be inhabited by its citizens but only a few were to stay to control and exploit the aborigines and their lands. Does a territory make a state? Would a territory be considered a territory even without sovereignty? Or does the state make the territory? The colonization of many nations in this age raised more ambiguity in the definition of territory. It need not be an area where the central authority is bordered. The territory can be an area not attached to the central state. It can be miles away from its central authority. The Jewish nation and its territory is still a question.
The question on how the world is divided has no clear answer as there are many causes and cases for what happened to each nation that established their borders. Historians say that the Philippines would not be an archipelago nation without the colonization of the Spaniards. If we were not colonized, the Philippines would have been 3 or maybe 4 separate nations just like the different nations around the Carribean region. Many countries especially in Asia are evidence themselves of imperialism. Countries would have been united or separated if it were not the arrival of the Europeans.
The early notion of a nation is that it must have within its territory a common people, in race and religion. This early notion caused many civil wars and inter-country wars. But as many nations survive through centuries, the sense of nationalism grew within them especially in the aftermath of revolutions that gave rise to the power of democracy. Thus the world is now not divided territorially, which is the physical aspect, but divided nationalistically, which is the social aspect. If a big social group in a region of a country recognized a need for autonomy from the state, they will continue to fight for their separation from the state. This often happens when a group is a representation of a minority in religion, ethnicity or even in principles in the emergence of different ideologies (USSR western states separated from motherland, North separated from South Korea, East and West Germany).
But now things have changed in the emergence of globalization. Before, people see the economic advantage in acquiring more territories for more resources. But now, people recognize the established territories and promote a freer flow of goods, services and capital considering the physical and social barriers.
Regionalism is the buzz word nowadays. The world is seen as one marketplace. Technology has made this possible. The cost of consumption, production and distribution will be reduced in the abatement of barriers. Europe is slowly acting as if it is one state, which is made possible by EU. Their economic performance has heightened. Maybe soon, Asian nations will be Asian states of a region. Many see this as an opportunity for growth. But many questions are raised in the free flow of service or labor. We cannot deny that Filipinos can be found in every corner of the globe. Imagine if there were freer flow of labor in the world, it will be difficult to distinguish an Asian nation from a European nation (socially) when more Asians are able to enter the continent. But will sovereignty of nations suffer in the advancement of regionalism? This vision may be a good thing since there may be a chance that the world might become more unified. But will this cause more misunderstanding among cultures? Will there be a saturation of cultures? Will this destroy the identity of a nation? Will the destruction of identities lead to more destruction? Is there a need for a defined separation of states? Will this unification exist virtually only?
How do we find out what's going on with the world?
Media as you know it are everywhere. We are fond of expressing our feelings through art. Art has many forms and ways to reach out to deliver the message- media. A medium is like the bridge between the messenger and the listener. A lot of things happen as the message travels to the listener. In any symbol, be it language, text, image or sound, people have different interpretations of its meaning for we have our own biases shaped by physical, cultural, social, spiritual and political factors. This is why art becomes subjective depending on the perspective of the spectator. Art comes in different media, and one popular form, (a product of globalization) television.
If you just heard one word from a stranger, many images pop out in your mind. You would wonder why this person would say such a thing. You then would want to guess if he is a threat or if he is just plain crazy. After knowing at least the superficial motive, you would want to know what he was trying to say. The fact the he only used one word may mean something. A careful study of what he looks like or what he is wearing may help you tell what he was trying to say. You could also examine his gestures and actions (like eye contact). The surroundings or the environment can help you derive meaning from the unknown and lastly, the time.
As rational beings, we want to find meaning in anything. With one word alone, it is torture to think and decode what the true meaning is. There are too many meanings associated with one word. What more if it is a sentence or a paragraph? It will be doubly hard if words (through text or sound) merge with image with the help of television.
In the past, it was harder for man to pass on information to another. The most efficient way was to orally pass on information. An example is the oral tradition of singing stories of their ancestors and their challenges to build the foundations of their society. This served as an informative tool to know the roots and history of their people in order to give them a sense of identity. It also served as a guide for proper action when another dire situation occurs. But with oral tradition (passed on to generation to generation), there is no direct connection between the messenger and the listener. The sequence of the story may have changed over time or the words used may have also changed even though they intend one meaning. But later generations may interpret it in a different way.
With the aid of globalization, somehow the connection between the messenger and the listener (or addressor and the addressee) has become more direct since we get raw information real time and right in the comfort of our living rooms. One example is the news. But with emergence of 24 hour news stations, we have never been this close the action.
Ever since the birth of television, it has been easier for us to get familiarized with the world. We get to see stories of different cultures and be aware of different issues. It has given us the chance to understand and know what is going on with the world. However, like any other forms of art, we can derive different interpretations of its meaning.
Since things are more accessible to us, we take things for granted. Speed is the key in the world today. Sometimes we just receive information in megabyte speed without thinking twice. Instead of having a platform of understanding, it might create more misunderstanding. Images may be misleading and might trigger something in our subconscious. Art has many ways to deceive and create illusions to keep the mystification. In most cases in the modern world, art steers toward popularity for profitability which takes advantage of our emotions. If media can effectively get into our emotions, we are doomed for most of us, feel rather than to think.
Our emotions can be our biggest enemy for it can consume us if not manipulate us. We usually do not find the most sound judgment without proper pondering and deep thought. We become incapable of weighing options and probabilities that might occur in each probability. Without careful study, we expose ourselves to risk; thus, harming ourselves. This is why we must practice the art of deduction and critical thinking. We should not limit ourselves to the box equipped with sounds and colors, we sometimes have to experience things for ourselves to know the true meaning. We must also step outside and observe what is really going on. We must see things in our own eyes to at least eliminate most of the biased perspectives or point of view of a writer/film maker/news caster and see how things are interconnected. What might be happening in your backyard may be related to what is happening on the other side of the valley.
If you just heard one word from a stranger, many images pop out in your mind. You would wonder why this person would say such a thing. You then would want to guess if he is a threat or if he is just plain crazy. After knowing at least the superficial motive, you would want to know what he was trying to say. The fact the he only used one word may mean something. A careful study of what he looks like or what he is wearing may help you tell what he was trying to say. You could also examine his gestures and actions (like eye contact). The surroundings or the environment can help you derive meaning from the unknown and lastly, the time.
As rational beings, we want to find meaning in anything. With one word alone, it is torture to think and decode what the true meaning is. There are too many meanings associated with one word. What more if it is a sentence or a paragraph? It will be doubly hard if words (through text or sound) merge with image with the help of television.
In the past, it was harder for man to pass on information to another. The most efficient way was to orally pass on information. An example is the oral tradition of singing stories of their ancestors and their challenges to build the foundations of their society. This served as an informative tool to know the roots and history of their people in order to give them a sense of identity. It also served as a guide for proper action when another dire situation occurs. But with oral tradition (passed on to generation to generation), there is no direct connection between the messenger and the listener. The sequence of the story may have changed over time or the words used may have also changed even though they intend one meaning. But later generations may interpret it in a different way.
With the aid of globalization, somehow the connection between the messenger and the listener (or addressor and the addressee) has become more direct since we get raw information real time and right in the comfort of our living rooms. One example is the news. But with emergence of 24 hour news stations, we have never been this close the action.
Ever since the birth of television, it has been easier for us to get familiarized with the world. We get to see stories of different cultures and be aware of different issues. It has given us the chance to understand and know what is going on with the world. However, like any other forms of art, we can derive different interpretations of its meaning.
Since things are more accessible to us, we take things for granted. Speed is the key in the world today. Sometimes we just receive information in megabyte speed without thinking twice. Instead of having a platform of understanding, it might create more misunderstanding. Images may be misleading and might trigger something in our subconscious. Art has many ways to deceive and create illusions to keep the mystification. In most cases in the modern world, art steers toward popularity for profitability which takes advantage of our emotions. If media can effectively get into our emotions, we are doomed for most of us, feel rather than to think.
Our emotions can be our biggest enemy for it can consume us if not manipulate us. We usually do not find the most sound judgment without proper pondering and deep thought. We become incapable of weighing options and probabilities that might occur in each probability. Without careful study, we expose ourselves to risk; thus, harming ourselves. This is why we must practice the art of deduction and critical thinking. We should not limit ourselves to the box equipped with sounds and colors, we sometimes have to experience things for ourselves to know the true meaning. We must also step outside and observe what is really going on. We must see things in our own eyes to at least eliminate most of the biased perspectives or point of view of a writer/film maker/news caster and see how things are interconnected. What might be happening in your backyard may be related to what is happening on the other side of the valley.
Why do we obey?
We always find order in chaos. If we look up the moon, we could form ours own figures from the randomness of its dark spots and shadows. Some people see a face; others, a bunny. Even in the formation of clouds or constellations. We made up our own zodiac signs (in the form of greek characters) from star constellations. There was a heated debate about the discovery of a civilization in Mars. A satellite snap shot captures a bird's eye view of a huge rock formation.
We are naturally programmed to organize ourselves. This is one factor why the human specie has become successful in surviving the harsh environment with little natural defenses. Because of our ability to adapt and to assess difficult situations, we were able to process complex problems and solve with a proper methodological framework of reason. With order we are able to think systematically. Because of order, we were able to recognize the value of numbers and teamwork in survival. We were able to plan ahead and set up traps for our food. However, this cannot be possible without social organization. We developed a system for uniformity and continuity based from past experience, depending on the circumstances of history. This system we follow just like our instincts because presumably it's how it works and it's just the way it is. We owe it from our ancestors.
The system becomes tradition as it is passed on may it be a political system, ideology, religion or social customs. To remedy chaos, we structure order, in the form of government, law, trade and justice because we know that chaos and confusion can lead to our downfall for when there is confusion, we do not think rationally as expected of us humans. We think about almost the same level as other animals, instinctively. The world will become every man for himself, which is not good for fragile beings that are meant to group. And when it is every man for himself, we are very much capable of killing our own specie compared to other animals.
Upon waking up in this world, we immediately attach ourselves to our environment, putting utmost trust to the surroundings we are introduced with within our comfort zone. We immediately accept whatever norms or order the system has imposed for us as we grow. Why should things be that way? Are these things meant to be? Are we required by society to follow? Is it our fate to follow and not of our choice?
Unlike other animals, we are able to think beyond our natural instincts. Having the will gives us freedom; but at what cost? Is it safe to think freely without the preconception of the way things are and what make up our world? How can we know how free we are? How can we know how free we are supposed to be? Are we all slaves of society?
Sometimes we have to accept that we have to follow the path of the system for the system is imposed for the greater good. The purpose of its existence is to benefit society. The system may be a cycle that inevitably occurs except for special cases. However, times change. The thinking, beliefs and knowledge of people change. This is why regular assessment of the system must be made to assure its compatibility with the times, without any bias coming from the past. There is always a gray area. But what the system recognizes are black and white. In time, the gray area gets wider and wider. Our society becomes more and more complex, as technology and lifestyle evolve. This is why we must be vigilant and sensitive about what is going on around us to know what is the most optimal choice.
We all fight for what is right. Even the most villainous people in the history know that they are right and they did not exactly mean to be evil. They knew that their "right" will bring more order. This order gives them more security and comfort that they pursue it so much that they know it will be right for everyone else. This is the mistake of many of our leaders. People get too affected with the pains and difficulties they have experienced from the current system that they immediately assume that what they think to oppose it will be right for everyone. This kind of thinking caused too many wars. People should consider the bigger picture and what works for everyone. When nothing works for any group in the society, then the system is a failure. This time the system must obey the people for it to survive because the system is useless without people.
There are too many groups/agents in society that makes it really hard to please everyone given the constraints in governance. But when a system is too hard headed, stiff and inflexible to the changes of time, then the system is not there to serve and benefit all but to maintain the power of that who implements. It becomes control. Control can be good to eliminate as much as possible the random factors of life. However, if this control is too much that it can intervene even in the most random, then it must be erradicated for it will damage the lives of the innocent.
We all have our own moral compass and if the state will slap what is good and right into our faces, then it damages the freedom built in each of us. The legitimacy is then questioned.
We are naturally programmed to organize ourselves. This is one factor why the human specie has become successful in surviving the harsh environment with little natural defenses. Because of our ability to adapt and to assess difficult situations, we were able to process complex problems and solve with a proper methodological framework of reason. With order we are able to think systematically. Because of order, we were able to recognize the value of numbers and teamwork in survival. We were able to plan ahead and set up traps for our food. However, this cannot be possible without social organization. We developed a system for uniformity and continuity based from past experience, depending on the circumstances of history. This system we follow just like our instincts because presumably it's how it works and it's just the way it is. We owe it from our ancestors.
The system becomes tradition as it is passed on may it be a political system, ideology, religion or social customs. To remedy chaos, we structure order, in the form of government, law, trade and justice because we know that chaos and confusion can lead to our downfall for when there is confusion, we do not think rationally as expected of us humans. We think about almost the same level as other animals, instinctively. The world will become every man for himself, which is not good for fragile beings that are meant to group. And when it is every man for himself, we are very much capable of killing our own specie compared to other animals.
Upon waking up in this world, we immediately attach ourselves to our environment, putting utmost trust to the surroundings we are introduced with within our comfort zone. We immediately accept whatever norms or order the system has imposed for us as we grow. Why should things be that way? Are these things meant to be? Are we required by society to follow? Is it our fate to follow and not of our choice?
Unlike other animals, we are able to think beyond our natural instincts. Having the will gives us freedom; but at what cost? Is it safe to think freely without the preconception of the way things are and what make up our world? How can we know how free we are? How can we know how free we are supposed to be? Are we all slaves of society?
Sometimes we have to accept that we have to follow the path of the system for the system is imposed for the greater good. The purpose of its existence is to benefit society. The system may be a cycle that inevitably occurs except for special cases. However, times change. The thinking, beliefs and knowledge of people change. This is why regular assessment of the system must be made to assure its compatibility with the times, without any bias coming from the past. There is always a gray area. But what the system recognizes are black and white. In time, the gray area gets wider and wider. Our society becomes more and more complex, as technology and lifestyle evolve. This is why we must be vigilant and sensitive about what is going on around us to know what is the most optimal choice.
We all fight for what is right. Even the most villainous people in the history know that they are right and they did not exactly mean to be evil. They knew that their "right" will bring more order. This order gives them more security and comfort that they pursue it so much that they know it will be right for everyone else. This is the mistake of many of our leaders. People get too affected with the pains and difficulties they have experienced from the current system that they immediately assume that what they think to oppose it will be right for everyone. This kind of thinking caused too many wars. People should consider the bigger picture and what works for everyone. When nothing works for any group in the society, then the system is a failure. This time the system must obey the people for it to survive because the system is useless without people.
There are too many groups/agents in society that makes it really hard to please everyone given the constraints in governance. But when a system is too hard headed, stiff and inflexible to the changes of time, then the system is not there to serve and benefit all but to maintain the power of that who implements. It becomes control. Control can be good to eliminate as much as possible the random factors of life. However, if this control is too much that it can intervene even in the most random, then it must be erradicated for it will damage the lives of the innocent.
We all have our own moral compass and if the state will slap what is good and right into our faces, then it damages the freedom built in each of us. The legitimacy is then questioned.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
How does religious beliefs affect politics?
Religion or at least having beliefs is natural to us. As rational beings, we wonder about the natural phenomena. When we were in the stone age, we were bewildered by what nature brings (rain, storm, game, earthquake, etc). The earth provides us with animals and plants for consumption, clothing and shelter and water to drink. But sometimes nature unleashes its wrath by volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, snow storms, earth quakes and the like. We cannot help but wonder how nature's mysterious ways work. Unlike other animals, we wanted an explanation out of the abstraction of reality. We knew that there might be something of a higher order which can make things shift easily from bad to worse. They believed that everything in nature is alive and spiritual. They believed that everything is interconnected. They had to respect the spirits of nature by thanksgiving and ardor to please them so that they keep sustaining their daily needs.
This new insight has become engraved in their daily lives that it later evolved into tradition as the rituals are passed on to generations. As the social group grew bigger, it evolved into culture as it defined the identity of the group (what makes them unique from the rest). Human thinking also became more curious of not only of the surroundings but what he is and what the surroundings are to him. They began to question why they live and who created them and the surroundings. They formulated their own beliefs on how the world was formed by a greater divine- god/gods. Natural phenomena can then be explained by the wrath of a god or a folklore of the interactions of the gods. They knew that the power of the divine is boundless that they fear them. And when there is fear there is control.
Religion is natural to our kind. There some things that we cannot fully explain, naturally and socially. This is why we turn to religion as our guidance. Since religion involves the power of the divine whom sets the role of each unit in the world, this power can be passed on by the manipulation of the privileged. Only the privileged few had the divine right to rule over a civilization and some even forced their way to the throne claiming that they were chosen by an even higher divine. Since pretty much everyone would fear their creator/s (since from them they can also destroy what they create), leaders used and abused this fear and obedience to steer their civilization to greatness. Most of the greatest structures ever built in history are temples or religious symbols. This was evident in the ancient civilizations in Egypt, Latin America, India, Middle East and Mediterranean.
Man is a political animal according to Aristotle, the great philosopher. This is why it is hard for us to separate two things that are natural to us- religion and politics. After we invented the concept of "religion", many grabbed the opportunity to find meaning from religion that would make their social hierarchy higher or make the others hierarchy lower. Some cultural tradition or social norm came before an established religion. It was commonplace that women were of lower rank in society since their main role was to bear children for the group's future and to care for them at home with other household affairs. This social norm later transcended into religious law and tradition that gave no opportunity for the discriminated to redeem themselves from the norm as time changes. Even if things have already changed, by the help of progress and technology, some societies still cannot improve the rights of women because of their religion.
Although religion brings fear to its followers, it also brings security in the divine and social sense. The divine sense promises rewards and a better after life. The social sense promises a sense of belonging and fellowship. People feel unsafe when one thinks differently. One example is Plato, who was an excellent thinker yet many scorn him for thinking differently. Because people fear the unknow, adding unknown or unexamined belief would make life more dangerous. It makes it more unpredictable to know the person's next move and it will be more difficult to manipulate them. With everyone believing in one thing, at least many of the unknown factors can be eliminated such as righteousness, morality, thought and action. Rulers then realized that religion can not only help them manipulate its people, but also help them protect itself from the outside world and later conquer it. Invasion is strategic to many civilizations territorially for mor resources and labor. But to align economic activities with the all colonies, it will be easier if the belief system of all is the same. Thus, religion not only had the purpose of security but also of economics. An example of this is the invasion of Britain by the Romans which introduced the colonized to Christianity.
Religion was usually used as a mask of political and military leader's bloody conquests to make the missions more dignified and glorified. One example is the crusaders' quest to revive the holy city from its Muslim occupiers. The Roman papacy needed a way to remedy the issue within (next generation nobles fighting over land because of scarcity) and to prevent the growth of the muslim population (threat to papacy's control and power). This can be evident til today.
Because man is a thinking animal and knows it is his advantage among other animals, the product of his thinking becomes his advantage among the others of his kind. The product of his thinking is his ideology and belief system. As a political animal, man stands for what he believes and aims to prove others wrong. This is evident in the workplace or in school. We always want to be right because if you're right it gives you the social status and thus power. In the emergence of modernization in the 20th century, different ideologies materialized. The most mischievous were the socialist and the capitalist thinking. As two big countries are the main contributors of each, US and the USSR engaged in cold war. One sees the world different from the other and this gave rise to conflict. Before the age of industrialization which lead to the age of modernization was the age of Enlightenment. Because of many successes in scientific endeavors in explaining the natural world, people began to view the world at a bigger picture. This lead to a deeper understanding of the society's role to the world. People became more sensitive to the problems around them. People have gone against medieval thinking in terms of religion and economics and demanded more freedom. This lead to the secularization- the separation of religion from state affairs. With more reason than religious manipulation, people have gained access to free thinking.
People began to despise the feudalistic system for it benefits the privileged few. They then drew their own theories of how society should be shaped for more order and economic progress of the society and state without the intervention of religion; thus, the emergence of ideologies. However, many attempts of creating an ideal world lead to a more chaotic situation where people see that although things have been more equitable compared to the feudal system in their own way (capitalist or socialist), a few still remain in power and more privileged than the rest. Many wars caused by the efforts to expand ideologies scarred many. So people want to regain righteousness in a more materialistic world by bringing in the authority of the divine. They realized that only God know what is ideal and not man. This later lead to the conflict of religion in politics in the modern age.
What we all see often times in the news are the actions fundamentalists. Islam has become the center of the topic terrorism. The battle of religious ideals becomes more complex as technology paved the way to more sophistication in communication and weapons. The irony of it all is that it all started as a group that wanted to help the common people (religious virtues) by providing services not accessible to them.
In Nostradamus book of revelations, a holy war in the modern world was predicted after the assassination of the pope by a member of another major religion . Experts say that according to the book, this will bring the worst chaos in the history of the world. The world enters another dark age. Will this be the end of the civilized world?
The sad part about this whole thing is that man destroys his own kind with the excuse of the divine to exempt him from wrong doing. What makes it worse is that many fall into false interpretations when scripture and tradition in major religions emphasize in peace and prosperity. When will we ever learn to accept that people vary in culture and religion? It is in the very nature of humans to be diverse for we have the freedom to choose our mark in the world. People hurt because they are also hurt. They may be victims of violence and oppression. The hardest thing to do is to learn not to hate especially when it has already been programmed deep into our emotions. Human and economic development, security and progress are essential to prevent destructive feelings.
We must realize that amongst this diversity is the unavoidable commonality that all of us perish. We must make most of our stay by respecting life in various forms inwardly and outwardly. Whatever belief you may have, no one has the right to claim theirs right over the others. After all belief is subjective in the first place.
This new insight has become engraved in their daily lives that it later evolved into tradition as the rituals are passed on to generations. As the social group grew bigger, it evolved into culture as it defined the identity of the group (what makes them unique from the rest). Human thinking also became more curious of not only of the surroundings but what he is and what the surroundings are to him. They began to question why they live and who created them and the surroundings. They formulated their own beliefs on how the world was formed by a greater divine- god/gods. Natural phenomena can then be explained by the wrath of a god or a folklore of the interactions of the gods. They knew that the power of the divine is boundless that they fear them. And when there is fear there is control.
Religion is natural to our kind. There some things that we cannot fully explain, naturally and socially. This is why we turn to religion as our guidance. Since religion involves the power of the divine whom sets the role of each unit in the world, this power can be passed on by the manipulation of the privileged. Only the privileged few had the divine right to rule over a civilization and some even forced their way to the throne claiming that they were chosen by an even higher divine. Since pretty much everyone would fear their creator/s (since from them they can also destroy what they create), leaders used and abused this fear and obedience to steer their civilization to greatness. Most of the greatest structures ever built in history are temples or religious symbols. This was evident in the ancient civilizations in Egypt, Latin America, India, Middle East and Mediterranean.
Man is a political animal according to Aristotle, the great philosopher. This is why it is hard for us to separate two things that are natural to us- religion and politics. After we invented the concept of "religion", many grabbed the opportunity to find meaning from religion that would make their social hierarchy higher or make the others hierarchy lower. Some cultural tradition or social norm came before an established religion. It was commonplace that women were of lower rank in society since their main role was to bear children for the group's future and to care for them at home with other household affairs. This social norm later transcended into religious law and tradition that gave no opportunity for the discriminated to redeem themselves from the norm as time changes. Even if things have already changed, by the help of progress and technology, some societies still cannot improve the rights of women because of their religion.
Although religion brings fear to its followers, it also brings security in the divine and social sense. The divine sense promises rewards and a better after life. The social sense promises a sense of belonging and fellowship. People feel unsafe when one thinks differently. One example is Plato, who was an excellent thinker yet many scorn him for thinking differently. Because people fear the unknow, adding unknown or unexamined belief would make life more dangerous. It makes it more unpredictable to know the person's next move and it will be more difficult to manipulate them. With everyone believing in one thing, at least many of the unknown factors can be eliminated such as righteousness, morality, thought and action. Rulers then realized that religion can not only help them manipulate its people, but also help them protect itself from the outside world and later conquer it. Invasion is strategic to many civilizations territorially for mor resources and labor. But to align economic activities with the all colonies, it will be easier if the belief system of all is the same. Thus, religion not only had the purpose of security but also of economics. An example of this is the invasion of Britain by the Romans which introduced the colonized to Christianity.
Religion was usually used as a mask of political and military leader's bloody conquests to make the missions more dignified and glorified. One example is the crusaders' quest to revive the holy city from its Muslim occupiers. The Roman papacy needed a way to remedy the issue within (next generation nobles fighting over land because of scarcity) and to prevent the growth of the muslim population (threat to papacy's control and power). This can be evident til today.
Because man is a thinking animal and knows it is his advantage among other animals, the product of his thinking becomes his advantage among the others of his kind. The product of his thinking is his ideology and belief system. As a political animal, man stands for what he believes and aims to prove others wrong. This is evident in the workplace or in school. We always want to be right because if you're right it gives you the social status and thus power. In the emergence of modernization in the 20th century, different ideologies materialized. The most mischievous were the socialist and the capitalist thinking. As two big countries are the main contributors of each, US and the USSR engaged in cold war. One sees the world different from the other and this gave rise to conflict. Before the age of industrialization which lead to the age of modernization was the age of Enlightenment. Because of many successes in scientific endeavors in explaining the natural world, people began to view the world at a bigger picture. This lead to a deeper understanding of the society's role to the world. People became more sensitive to the problems around them. People have gone against medieval thinking in terms of religion and economics and demanded more freedom. This lead to the secularization- the separation of religion from state affairs. With more reason than religious manipulation, people have gained access to free thinking.
People began to despise the feudalistic system for it benefits the privileged few. They then drew their own theories of how society should be shaped for more order and economic progress of the society and state without the intervention of religion; thus, the emergence of ideologies. However, many attempts of creating an ideal world lead to a more chaotic situation where people see that although things have been more equitable compared to the feudal system in their own way (capitalist or socialist), a few still remain in power and more privileged than the rest. Many wars caused by the efforts to expand ideologies scarred many. So people want to regain righteousness in a more materialistic world by bringing in the authority of the divine. They realized that only God know what is ideal and not man. This later lead to the conflict of religion in politics in the modern age.
What we all see often times in the news are the actions fundamentalists. Islam has become the center of the topic terrorism. The battle of religious ideals becomes more complex as technology paved the way to more sophistication in communication and weapons. The irony of it all is that it all started as a group that wanted to help the common people (religious virtues) by providing services not accessible to them.
In Nostradamus book of revelations, a holy war in the modern world was predicted after the assassination of the pope by a member of another major religion . Experts say that according to the book, this will bring the worst chaos in the history of the world. The world enters another dark age. Will this be the end of the civilized world?
The sad part about this whole thing is that man destroys his own kind with the excuse of the divine to exempt him from wrong doing. What makes it worse is that many fall into false interpretations when scripture and tradition in major religions emphasize in peace and prosperity. When will we ever learn to accept that people vary in culture and religion? It is in the very nature of humans to be diverse for we have the freedom to choose our mark in the world. People hurt because they are also hurt. They may be victims of violence and oppression. The hardest thing to do is to learn not to hate especially when it has already been programmed deep into our emotions. Human and economic development, security and progress are essential to prevent destructive feelings.
We must realize that amongst this diversity is the unavoidable commonality that all of us perish. We must make most of our stay by respecting life in various forms inwardly and outwardly. Whatever belief you may have, no one has the right to claim theirs right over the others. After all belief is subjective in the first place.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
What happens if we do not think in human terms?
People nowadays get caught up in material world. It started out as basic necessities for survival- food, shelter, clothing and water. Now we are more concerned about getting the most units in production, the most number of labor hours, the most interest in savings, the most number of cars, the most number of branded clothes and the like. We are more concerned with figures and getting the optimal number which is more of a mistake than an achievement. We are losing our human touch. We are increasingly becoming more of robots as world becomes more complex. We lose the simplicity of life which is to live and to recognize others who also live. To feel and to think is to live.Life is more important than numbers. Businesses will find ways to be more profitable but at the expense of people who are affected. Remember the Texas Oil Refinery Disaster. Top level managers neglected safety standards to minimize operating costs which made possible the explosion that killed almost all workers. Poor shipping safety for profitability, such as poor maintenance, lack of life vests and over capacity of passengers, caused many deaths in shipping accidents.
Many politicians still accept the use of the necessary evil- to get the job done by looking at the numbers and by not looking outside even for one bit on how really ugly the situation has become. In history, many things started out in good intentions but eventually became disasters, wars, famine or violence. No matter how complicated our model is, sometimes solving the problem makes it worse without knowing its SENSITIVITY. All our actions have consequences. If we treat fellow humans negatively for good or bad intentions, it will haunt you forever. There is connection in everything in society. If things get worse in terms of human welfare, other groups may also be affected which may later lead to an unfavorable position in your part. Degradation of human welfare is only a thing of the past. We must think more in human terms. If we don't problems of the world will never be solved. All our efforts will be useless. We go back to where we started. After all, human development is the main goal of humanity and drastic sacrifices that may belittle human life is not an option.
How do we begin to think about the world?
For the sake of global peace, we must start the change in ourselves. Peace is not possible without understanding. We should accept the fact that we are not alone in this world. We are not the only nation in this world. There also different people in different parts of the world that are unique as we are. We are not masters of the universe but mere creatures of the world. It just so happened that our specie has been successful in adapting to the changing world. We must understand that we are only borrowing the physical world. We are borrowing our own existence. For it is inevitable for all of us like all things to perish. So there is no excuse for us to act selfishly. We may have our own stuff to do or routines to do everyday in work or in school. But we must see the bigger picture. Why are we given life in this world in the first place? What is our purpose?
We should find our place in this world. This does not mean having to keep the sassiest facebook with all the flashy pictures of you and your exploits to show to the whole world. Sure, it marks your individualism to the world but does it really help build up your identity? Your identity can be fully realized in the participation with your society- as a member of your family, of your class, of your school, of your town, of your village, of your city, of your state, of your country, of your region and finally of your world, our world... the highest peak of realizing your identity. You must understand the world to know your place and actively participate in it. If we could all think openly, critically, fairly and generously, world peacc in cultural diversity is possible.
We should find our place in this world. This does not mean having to keep the sassiest facebook with all the flashy pictures of you and your exploits to show to the whole world. Sure, it marks your individualism to the world but does it really help build up your identity? Your identity can be fully realized in the participation with your society- as a member of your family, of your class, of your school, of your town, of your village, of your city, of your state, of your country, of your region and finally of your world, our world... the highest peak of realizing your identity. You must understand the world to know your place and actively participate in it. If we could all think openly, critically, fairly and generously, world peacc in cultural diversity is possible.
Why study globalization and development?
Human progress is inevitable for it is part of the evolutionary process of our species. Man's main natural advantage is his ability to think beyond. It is only human to wonder how, what and why things around us exist. Over the years, we get a better understanding of the mysteries of the works of the universe. And with this understanding, we gradually organized ourselves to make use of all knowledge. Throughout history, conditions have always been harsh. It may be scarcity of food or seasonal flooding that give rise for an opportunity to better organize in civilizations. With different problems, the human race has always sought for a solution. It is crucial to man's survival to keep order in any type of group for continuous growth in the economy, culture and security as the population rises. Thus, various political systems in different corners of the globe arose. These political systems in their own way, greatly contributed to the sciences, which their main objective is for military and political gain (as sign of prosperity) with their respective resilient leaders. Slowly, technology improved. Without the political will of the European leaders in the 17th century to test the the thought of the unexplored new world beyond, globalization would not be possible. However, harsh as it may sound, colonization of continents in the southern hemisphere followed. This is where the misunderstanding began.
Globalization started out as a villain that consumes the dignity of the natives of the lands that are rich in resources. It is safe to say that the main objective of the Europeans was not to make peace with the natives. It also was not because of God. Although religion played an essential part to politically control the natives. Europeans did this mainly for economic reasons. It was a race to get the most gold and spices for preserving meat. Then with more gold on their side comes military power because they have the means to fund their military exploits. This was the mercantilist doctrine.
The thirst for power always follows in every human achievement. Or every human achievement is driven by selfish reasons. Either way, globalization is human progress that makes things easier for our species. It is the glorified solution to all problems. As the world population grows, the laws of demand and supply in basic consumption becomes more complex with limited resources. Finding solutions to the production and distribution is essential for survival in the modern world. Globalization is the solution. Globalization is an ongoing process of moving information, goods and services across national borders (Eitzen, Zinn, 2006). World trade is now possible but people are still boxed with the old notion (where globalization started) of mercantilism, that world trade is the new kind of colonization.
By the definition alone, it is the most important thing that happened to human kind. For emotional and social beings, the ability to connect with people in the other side of the world is ground breaking. However, social problems are magnified even more by globalization. Poverty, human rights violations, war and abuse of power have always been part of human history. The situation was a lot worse before although simpler without the regard of current financial systems. The bad thing, after all the fuss about globalization is that these social problems have not been resolved. More issues emerge such as terrorism, cultural identity, energy and global warming.
It is better not to scorn but to understand globalization to deal with these. With a global platform to cooperate and coordinate with other nations, we can overcome these problems. However, we are still our own enemies. We shall not blame imports and expats for causing the downturn of economies. Inefficient governments and inefficient institutions and structures are to blame. Without corruption not only in government but also in businesses and society, the positive effects of globalization can be felt.
Man as a political creature always seeks for what benefits him. Problems of the world are artificial. Mankind destroys itself. If we keep our minds closed, we would not bridge the misunderstanding across borders. With misunderstanding, the process of globalization is ineffective. We should open ourselves to the world for we are all sharing and living in only one planet. Globalization is still in its early stages. I believe that if we all understand it, we could work around it to better improve our ways so that we could reap all the benefits. We could know our place in the world. Naturally, there is always a price for attaining something good. But we could help minimize it; thus, human development of all nations is possible.
I believe that we are in the golden years of globalization if we have found a global solution to global warming. I know we can make it there because I believe in the human spirit. We can learn and adapt as we did in the past.
Globalization started out as a villain that consumes the dignity of the natives of the lands that are rich in resources. It is safe to say that the main objective of the Europeans was not to make peace with the natives. It also was not because of God. Although religion played an essential part to politically control the natives. Europeans did this mainly for economic reasons. It was a race to get the most gold and spices for preserving meat. Then with more gold on their side comes military power because they have the means to fund their military exploits. This was the mercantilist doctrine.
The thirst for power always follows in every human achievement. Or every human achievement is driven by selfish reasons. Either way, globalization is human progress that makes things easier for our species. It is the glorified solution to all problems. As the world population grows, the laws of demand and supply in basic consumption becomes more complex with limited resources. Finding solutions to the production and distribution is essential for survival in the modern world. Globalization is the solution. Globalization is an ongoing process of moving information, goods and services across national borders (Eitzen, Zinn, 2006). World trade is now possible but people are still boxed with the old notion (where globalization started) of mercantilism, that world trade is the new kind of colonization.
By the definition alone, it is the most important thing that happened to human kind. For emotional and social beings, the ability to connect with people in the other side of the world is ground breaking. However, social problems are magnified even more by globalization. Poverty, human rights violations, war and abuse of power have always been part of human history. The situation was a lot worse before although simpler without the regard of current financial systems. The bad thing, after all the fuss about globalization is that these social problems have not been resolved. More issues emerge such as terrorism, cultural identity, energy and global warming.
It is better not to scorn but to understand globalization to deal with these. With a global platform to cooperate and coordinate with other nations, we can overcome these problems. However, we are still our own enemies. We shall not blame imports and expats for causing the downturn of economies. Inefficient governments and inefficient institutions and structures are to blame. Without corruption not only in government but also in businesses and society, the positive effects of globalization can be felt.
Man as a political creature always seeks for what benefits him. Problems of the world are artificial. Mankind destroys itself. If we keep our minds closed, we would not bridge the misunderstanding across borders. With misunderstanding, the process of globalization is ineffective. We should open ourselves to the world for we are all sharing and living in only one planet. Globalization is still in its early stages. I believe that if we all understand it, we could work around it to better improve our ways so that we could reap all the benefits. We could know our place in the world. Naturally, there is always a price for attaining something good. But we could help minimize it; thus, human development of all nations is possible.
I believe that we are in the golden years of globalization if we have found a global solution to global warming. I know we can make it there because I believe in the human spirit. We can learn and adapt as we did in the past.
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