I take issue with the idea that one place is backwards while another is not. People create a mental link between the idea of infrastructural development and the idea of moral development, and moral, political, and structural development. In their minds, and in the discourse and terminology used, developing country = developing people. We read about people dying of AIDS, malaria, getting hit by buses, women burned alive by husbands, children trafficked for sex tourism purposes (as if these problems don't happen in the "developed" world). But yes, there are many problems with corruption and lack of infrastructure in India, which often has detrimental results for citizens, including in sickness, death, acute poverty, failure of aid to reach those for whom it is intended, and a host of other problems. Modi, the head of the Indian state of Gujarat (and was also chief minister during the Gujarat riots and has been criticized for his role in this) whom an Indian coworker once equated with Hitler, perhaps admitted to killing his opponent and justified it saying he deserved it and he did what needed to be done.
But what about the developed world? Is there such a vast distinction in policies and attitudes of our politicians? Several days ago when I read that Bush vetoed an anti-torture bill, or "interrogation limits" for the CIA, these questions were what ran through my mind. I know that "water-boarding" has gotten a lot of attention in recent months, but the others are equally if not more disturbing to me.
This list is taken from a BBC article on Bush's recent veto of the anti-torture bill.
CIA 'ENHANCED INTERROGATION' TECHNIQUES
Water-boarding: prisoner bound to a board with feet raised, and cellophane wrapped round his head. Water is poured onto his face and is said to produce a fear of drowning
Cold cell: prisoner made to stand naked in a cold, though not freezing, cell and doused with water
Standing: Prisoners stand for 40 hours and more, shackled to the floor
Belly slap: a hard slap to the stomach with an open hand. This is designed to be painful but not to cause injury
My point is not exactly that India is not developing, or that America is more backward than it pretends... let's just say that in my opinion, Bush and Modi are in a similar camp.
3 comments:
I take strong exception to this post. Yes, I disapprove of waterboarding and other "harsh interrogation techniques." If the CIA ever uses such techniques against political prisoners, then your post would be justified. But the CIA has only used these techniques when it had reason to believe that it was the only way to prevent MASS MURDER.
Again, I do not condone these techniques. I think George W Bush is a terrible president and Abu Ghraib was a travesty. But it is ridiculous to compare that with torture or murder of political opponents. Both are terrible, but they are not comparable.
I cannot believe that anyone can have such a diverse picture. Realy I am quite impressed with the collections you have. I am Anju who is running a saree business here in Surat.
Hi Myla! It's Noelle.
I'm also really, really impressed by this post. As an anthropology major, I have a certain affinity for this subject of careful and precise word-choice in these matters. :-)
I think it's important and not only for the purpose of being kind to all populations of fellow humans, but for the sake of accuracy. The ethnocentric notion that the western way of life is the only or best way of life is just plain wrong- on a several different levels (literally and morally).
I agree that there are a number of problems within each society you mentioned and they have the common link of corruption, but many of them are different problems, and so they have different solutions. One point you made was that many of the issues we may think only happen regions that are not a nail in the global economy, also happen at home. I realize that the commonality of corruption exists here, but you mention it after pointing out child prostitution and sex tourism.
Again, in the name of accuracy I think it's important to note that the problem of child prostitution is not inside the US as it is in poorer countries. It's important to note that because if it were happening on the same scale here, it would not be as enormous of an issue elsewhere. People from the north travel to the global south so they may engage in the heinous acts and are therefor responsible as "consumers." Supply and demand.
And I think a big part of why this happens is because of the mindset that our way of life is more humane. "We can do no wrong." "It's their problem, not ours."
I read something great talking about the issue, where the author addressed the rationalization for people who travel to engage in prostitution. Many of these consumers believe that they are not the cause of the problem, because the practice already exists. The author (whose name I have shamefully forgotten) came back by saying that- no, they are not the cause of the problem; they are nothing more than parasites, feeding off problems which globalization has created.
I dunno, I just thought I'd add my piece to something already very well said. Not only should we notice the corruption withing our governments, but we should notice the way in which our politics contribute to (but are not wholly responsible for) corruption.
Child prostitution is a harsh example to the common American, but what about child slavery- factory workers employed by companies we support?
Wow, this was long. I have to go study chemistry...
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