$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jaws', 'W')estern society was superior to all others. Now it is nothing but a ruin, a corpse no one has declared dead. Why else would people be so afraid of "the clash of civilizations"? Western men did not tremble before muslims or the Chinese a century ago. They were the top of the world and the world was astonished by their accomplishments.
The uncultured brutes who stormed Iraq thinking they would remake it in their image have turned out to be an embarassment, a final nail in the coffin of the West.
PeakOil is You
Western Society is superior!
Re: Western Society is superior!
by venky » Tue 12 Sep 2006, 23:48:49
I wouldn't agree with that actually. The west still holds most of the cards, while being a fraction of the total population accounting for the majority of its economic output.
What I would say instead that the west is in relative decline, as its advantage over the rest of the world slips more each and each year. Without resource constraints, many third world countries would have caught up in a matter of decades.
In anycase the next few decades will be interesting. I think certain third world countries will cope better than some first world countries though on the whole the West should cope better, atleast initially.
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Re: Western Society is superior!
by jaws » Tue 12 Sep 2006, 23:54:13
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('venky', 'I') wouldn't agree with that actually. The west still holds most of the cards, while being a fraction of the total population accounting for the majority of its economic output.
A dominant civilization does not console itself that it still holds most of the cards. It actively seeks to get more cards.
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Re: Western Society is superior!
by Miki » Wed 13 Sep 2006, 05:21:18
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'A')s for the West being better. We are better because we colonizied the rest of the planet first. We had the biggest hardest weapons and stole everyone else's land, resources, and lives. That is what we are doing in Iraq, Afganistan, and soon in Iran. Britain started WWI and set Hitler up for his happy rampage. I don't remember India or China starting world wars.
Yes, I absolutely agree with you. Oppressing people and then claiming superiority is ridiculous. It's like a bully stepping on its victim's head and saying "why can't you stand up like me?".
But the picture IMO is not that simple. There are many other factors that come into play. Here are some that come to mind:
1-Studies show that people in Third World countries are happier than people in the West. Material achievement is not enough for self-fulfillment.
2-The East is way better than the West in terms of family values and community cohesion--and those things greatly affect the stability of a society.
3-The separation between East and West is losing meaning rapidly, when you consider how many people in the West are Third World immigrants or of immigrant descent. Many of those people are the most talented in their own Third World societies, but they emigrate to the West because their societies don't offer them the opportunities to develop their talents and put them to use. Still, all these talented people are not precisely "the West".
In a globalized world, those divisions are less and less applicable.
4-One of the main reasons why Third World countries have not progressed is that they have structural disadvantages that are very hard to change. Namely, extreme inequities in the distribution of riches and an extremely limited social mobility. In those circumstances, it is extremely hard for a nation to progress, no matter how talented or hard working people may be. In Peru, for example, 60% of people live below the poverty line, and the great majority of them don't have any chances of improving their SES, no matter what they do.
It is a system that has been in place since the XIXth century. It is very hard to change, and it is further maintained by the corruption of those in power, which is endemic in Third World countries.
5-The West still maintains oppressive mechanisms over Third World countries. Just to name a few:
a-Stealing of resources (eg, Irak).
b-Violations of human rights in spite of international law (eg, Palestine).
c-Support for dictators that oppress their people and violate human rights.
d-The use of war and military superiority to impose Western (particularly American) agendas on Third World countries. The US has 700 military bases in the world making sure we all subdue to US economic and political interests.
e-Imposition of international law only on the weak countries (eg, "food for oil" program in Irak that killed hundreds of thousands of humger), while sparing the US allies (eg, Israel). By the same token, only US opponents are held accountable for their crimes (eg, Saddam), while US allies can slaughter at their whim (eg, Israel).
f-"Free trade markets" in which the products of Third World countries are priced at market value, while many of the products of the West are subsidized, damaging the economy of many Thid World country that participates in the "free trade" project.
In sum, the West has used totalitarian tribal means to ensure their countries are the only democratic and civilized countries; they have violated human rights to make sure their countries are the only countries were human rights are respected; they have stolen money and imposed their economic interests on others to make sure they are the only rich ones around. They have always used (and continue to use) their power to make sure they continue to be on top. That is not superiority. That is bullying. But only the leftists have the balls to criticize their own governments because their priority is the respect of human rights, not money and power.
Disclaimer for you "black and white people": I am NOT saying that the the poverty and oppression of Third World countries is exclusively the fault of the West. I am just pointing out that the West has historically played and still plays a great role in the oppression and lack of development of these nations.
PS: this theory that the West has an advantage because White people are superior is simply ridiculous. The fact that some Westerners still think that in the XXIst century is the best proof that Westerners are not as educated, democratic, and civilized as they claim to be.
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Re: Western Society is superior!
by azreal60 » Wed 13 Sep 2006, 16:36:11
A rapheal post that I actually understand and agree with most of it?.. that's it, the world is coming to an end...
On a serious note, superior to what? The entire world IS western society by the standards of tribal societys. We all have very similar traits, only the colors and the traditions change. One way of looking at it is, a city in china is a city in iran is a city in europe is a city in the US. I've seen em all, and they ALL look the same.
On a serious note, superior to what? The entire world IS western society by the standards of tribal societys. We all have very similar traits, only the colors and the traditions change. One way of looking at it is, a city in china is a city in iran is a city in europe is a city in the US. I've seen em all, and they ALL look the same.
Azreal60
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Re: Western Society is superior!
by evilmonkeyspanker » Wed 13 Sep 2006, 20:26:46
As a hardcore republican I feel it is our god given right as americans to seek out and distroy all minorities as they continue to polute our gene pool.. White is right white is right!!!
As stated by Glen Beck and other true americans.. IRAN IS NAZI GERMANY Junior and is the first country we should distroy in order to protect the white race.
GO AMERICA
BUY AMERICAN (made in china)
As stated by Glen Beck and other true americans.. IRAN IS NAZI GERMANY Junior and is the first country we should distroy in order to protect the white race.
GO AMERICA
BUY AMERICAN (made in china)
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Re: Western Society is superior!
by Vexed » Thu 14 Sep 2006, 03:05:15
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')estern Society is superior!
Having traveled through some of the saddest places on earth, I can tell you, customs and systems and wealth change but love looks the same no matter where you go.
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