Ms. Qadhi, the Yemeni youth activist, attended American training sessions in Yemen.I'm a huge supporter of diplomacy before war and it seems that these funded organizations, while teaching Democracy which is what I somewhat disagree with, still show these people how to solve things by a peaceful means. I guess even I can be somewhat black and white about these issues but I'd really have to say that a diplomacy group can be instated in a few countries. Not necessarily to teach people about democracy but to teach people that debating and diplomacy are much better alternatives than violence. When you think about what the woman above stated that she used to think that there were only violent means of going about bringing change then you have to worry somewhat that other countries might think the same way.
“It helped me very much because I used to think that change only takes place by force and by weapons,” she said.
But now, she said, it is clear that results can be achieved with peaceful protests and other nonviolent means.
In the end I'd have to say teaching knowledge is a powerful tool to help people with, but manipulating them into following Democracy is still a bad thing. The whole process of inception and the placing of Democracy. Humans are intelligent creatures by nature and I'm sure that they can think up there own way of doing things, and there's no need to give them a foundation. Give them the knowledge to build their own foundation.
I fully understand your conflict in regards to US presence in foreign countries. I too have struggled with the notion of our government trying to tell others how they should run their own countries. I mean it’s not like we are doing so a great job with ours. I have often had to remind myself of just how free I am here in America. The idea of democracy that government and non-profit agencies are trying to teach in other countries is necessary. These countries are full of corrupt regimes and governments. The people who live under them can spend their whole lives in fear and submission. Don't they have a right to know there is another way? I don't think our country should run around and say, ‘hey do it our way because it’s the best”. I do however believe that we should offer the knowledge to those who wish to listen. This is especially true in countries that have been destabilized by war. Having a presence in those countries of governments that are chosen by the people is important. Letting them know that this can be done without coercion or force is also important. Beyond giving them the knowledge, I think we should stay out of their governments.
ReplyDeleteIn Nick Roberts’ blog, Foreign U.S. Work in The Middle East, he describes how America struggles to help fix other countries when we can barley help ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with his views that diplomacy is much more highly acceptable over war. Other countries have their own ways for handling problems, and with the U.S. getting involved we are making these problems our own. I feel America should get involved to an extent. For example, how Robert’s states we should help set up a foundation for the people and give ideas on what to do, but we can’t lead or force them into changing their ways.
In America, we have so many choices and privileges to do or say what we feel, but in other countries their minds are closed off to what the government allows them to think and believe. With nonprofit agencies helping other countries it can open many doors for the good and bad. These foreign places aren’t going to be convinced with outsiders trying to change the view of their people and the problem can get bigger for America.
Pretty soon our job of playing super man is going to back fire on America. I feel America is offering information on ways to change other countries ways of living. In doing so it hurts the citizens of the country who are trying to stand up for themselves. When citizens of these countries attempt to defend their freedoms and rights usually they are punished by their ruling governments. This causes us (Americans) to feel guilty and we pursue trying to fight to give them the same civil liberties we have. It’s not the people who run the country by war, but it’s the leaders, so unless we can attack the source of the problem its going to be a struggle to bring forth change. In other countries the leaders make decisions not the people, versus America where we vote as a whole to decide our legal system.