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Rob_Hugo@PortNWI just finished reading a brief article on abc.news.go.com in which the U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, asks that China and India apply more diplomatic pressure on Myanmar's (formerly known as Burma) government to allow more civil liberties in their country.
According to article, the US has already applied various sanctions against the country's regime in an effort to effect some change.
After reading the article I thought it was interesting that the US was asking help from a country, namely China, with its own poor track record in human rights, to bring about more freedom/limit abuses in another country's treatment of its citizens.
Isn't that kind of like asking the help of a school yard bully to help police students during recess?
For anyone interested, the link to the article is http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1779040
AnonymousThis strategy is not too different from the strategy of having an alliance with Russia during World War 2. I think China needs to be put to task about it's human rights behavior by all the countries of the world and done often. One way to do this is to point out to them the bad behavior of some of their neighbors. Hopefully this might cause some self reflection in the process.
How can the free world continue to transfer technology and aid the economy of any nation that lacks basic human rights without, at the same time expecting that nation to demonstrate fundamental human decency to it's citizens and others. One way of moving a country toward human rights is to develop constructive engagement with them and it seems better than the other option which is no engagement. The US is having to carry on this policy with other totalitarian states as well including, North Korea, Iran, Cuba to name a few. If the rest of the free world would work together on this accord, I think there would be a much greater response from these countries. [Edit by="jashworth on Apr 5, 3:53:50 PM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="jashworth on Apr 5, 3:55:12 PM"][/Edit]
AnonymousHow does an average student comprehend the complexities of foreign relations and international ennui? How can we as teachers related such articles to the everyday life experiences of young, urban teens? Why it’s all about peer pressure?!?...
Should friends tell others to use their voices, for example podcasts and blogs, to do what is 'right' in this world, instead of follow the path of 'wrong'??? Can average teens, or average Americans for that matter, put so much pressure on one other to recycle, to stop sales of alcohol and tobacco, to save endangered species, to lead everyday, outstanding lives??? How do students see peer pressure in regards to doing bad deeds as opposed to good deeds?
Are we asking a fairly elected representatives of such governments in China and India to do what is 'correct,' or are we hoping for too much, when 300 million Americans can't agree on certain policies and at the same time, China/India has 2 billion+ people, many living in poverty and left 'powerless' in low socio-economic status?!?
Much of China's intent and purpose is demonstrated in their foreign policy on the world stage. Just look at how many times they "muscle up" when key issues come up for U.N. Security Council review... India on the other hand being a former colony, they could at least "boost" themselves with nuclear capabilities... While some say it's an answer to neighbor Pakistan, many will nod their head when we know about China's past as India's neighbor.
Our already connected economies have great effects on one another. You could see how competition for energy with China, and not too soon India, leads to the bigger question of stagnating/flourishing economies, and even immigration policies.