Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Growth Of Asian Economy essays

Growth Of Asian Economy essays World War 2 in the mid-90's drew a hard blow and left a serious and lasting effect to many Asian countries. This however, did not hamper the growth of countries such as China, Japan and Vietnam as their government were taking serious steps to recover economically. Thus, the global market cannot deny a place for these 'Asian Dragons', because these countries are growing at a tremendous pace to the extent of being capable in emerging as global market leaders. China's capitalism and boom was born when their president, Deng Xiaoping permitted the provinces to dismantle their communes and collective farms. This led China to venture into free-market economics, although they were still under the communist political system. When President Deng announced that they needed Western money and expertise, China flung their trade doors wide open and China went on a capitalist drive without ever looking back. By mid 1960's, the Chinese Revolution settled down to the job of ruling China. Its main goal was essentially nationalist: a prosperous modern economy. While there continued to exist substantially economic inequalities, distribution of wealth was probably a bit more equal than in most Western countries. (Moise 171) While there were great variations in income between different villages, and between different jobs in the urban sector, the overall averages showed a clear pattern: the cities were much richer than the countryside. Most capital investm ents were going into urban industries. The urban workers, using considerable amount of heavy machinery, had a much higher average level of productivity compared to the rural workers. The natural consequences were for the city people to arrange themselves an average income level twice as high as that of the people in the countryside. The most obvious way to attack this poverty problem was to increase production, in all sectors of the economy. Though the easiest way to increase production was to in...

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Nationalism in Politics and Culture

Nationalism in Politics and Culture Nationalism is a term used to describe a fervent emotional identification with ones country and its people, customs, and values. In politics and public policy, nationalism is a doctrine whose mission is to protect a nations right to self-govern and shield fellow residents of a state from global economic and social pressures. The opposite of nationalism is globalism. Nationalism can range from the unthinking devotion of flag-waving patriotism in its most benign form to chauvinism, xenophobia, racism, and  ethnocentrism  at its worst and most dangerous.  It is often associated with the sort of deeply emotional commitment to one’s nation - over and against all others - that leads to atrocities like those committed by the National Socialists in Germany in the 1930s, wrote University of West Georgia philosophy professor Walter Riker. Political and Economic Nationalism In the modern era, President Donald Trumps America First doctrine was centered on nationalist policies that included higher tariffs on imports, a crackdown on illegal immigration, and the withdrawal of the United States from trade agreements his administration believed were harmful to American workers. Critics described Trumps brand of nationalism as white identity politics; indeed, his election coincided with the rise of the so-called alt-right movement,  a loosely connected group of young, disaffected Republicans and white nationalists. In 2017, Trump told the United Nations General Assembly: In foreign affairs, we are renewing this founding principle of sovereignty. Our governments first duty is to its people, to our citizens, to serve their needs, to ensure their safety, to preserve their rights and to defend their values. I will always put America first, just like you, as the leaders of your countries, will always and should always put your countries first. Benign Nationalism? National Review editor Rich Lowry and senior editor Ramesh Ponnuru used the term benign nationalism in 2017: The outlines of a benign nationalism are not hard to discern. It includes loyalty to one’s country: a sense of belonging, allegiance, and gratitude to it. And this sense attaches to the country’s people and culture, not just to its political institutions and laws. Such nationalism includes solidarity with one’s countrymen, whose welfare comes before, albeit not to the complete exclusion of, that of foreigners. When this nationalism finds political expression, it supports a federal government that is jealous of its sovereignty, forthright and unapologetic about advancing its people’s interests, and mindful of the need for national cohesion. Many argue, though, that there is no such thing as benign nationalism and that any nationalism is divisive and polarizing at its most innocuous and hateful and dangerous when carried to extremes. Nationalism is not unique to the United States, either. Waves of nationalist sentiment have swept through the electorate in Britain and other parts of Europe, China, Japan, and India. One notable example of nationalism was the so-called Brexit vote in 2016 in which citizens of the United Kingdom chose to leave the European Union.   Types of Nationalism in the United States In the United States, there are several kinds of nationalism, according to research conducted by sociology professors at Harvard and New York universities. The professors, Bart Bonikowski and Paul DiMaggio, identified the following groups: Restrictive nationalism, or the  belief that the only true Americans are Christians, speak English, and were born in the United States.Ardent nationalism, or the belief that the  United States is superior ethnically, racially, or culturally to other countries. This can be referred to as ethnic nationalism, too. White nationalists espouse white supremacist or white separatist ideologies and believe non-whites are inferior. Those hate groups include the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Confederates, neo-Nazis, racist skinheads, and Christian Identity.  Civic or liberal nationalism, the belief that  Americas democratic institutions and constitutionally protected liberties are superior, or exceptional. Sources and Further Reading on Nationalism Heres where you can read more about all forms of nationalism. What 4 types of American nationalism can tell us about Trump voters:  Bart Bonikowski and Paul DiMaggio, The Washington PostFor Love of Country,  Rich Lowry and Ramesh Ponnuru,  National ReviewNationalism can have its good points. Really.:  Prerna Singh, The Washington PostOn Nationalism and Exceptionalism: Yuval Levin, Ethics Public Policy CenterThe Trouble With Nationalism, Jonah Goldberg, National Review