Redistribution of Wealth?

Silvio

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Tuesday, August 17th 2010, 4:08pm

Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it a responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels. - Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)

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TamaraNite

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Tuesday, August 31st 2010, 2:18am

This is a tough question. I think most people would have a hard time answering it. I know that my own opinions go back and forth on this issue.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1. The word "required" bothers me. I think it should be "encouraged" or even "expected," but requiring one government to take care of another when the "wealthy government" can't even take care of its own poor and uneducated people is something I'm not really comfortable with. :thumbdown:

2. Even "wealthy" nations have their poor, their homeless, their uneducated. Should governments take care of their own people before taking care of other nations? :?:

3. Where do we draw the line? If wealthy nations provide food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, etc., should they also "interfere" in matters of human rights, persecution, injustice, religion, etc.?

I believe that those who have more should willingly help those who have less, but I don't think it should be required. I think that humanitarian efforts should be made from the heart--because it is right to do it. :thumbsup:

I think that most nations lend aid to others when they are in need. Other nations offered aid to the US after Hurrican Katrina destroyed New Orleans and after the 9/11 attacks in New York City, even though we were considered a "wealthy" nation. Recently, many nations have helped the citizens of Pakistan during the devastating floods and helped Haiti during the earthquakes. I don't know all the details of what other nations do, but besides sending food and supplies, I know that the US has loaned nations money and then forgiven the debts so that they did not have to pay us back. I also know that the US has borrowed so much money from China that our great-great grandchildren will be paying it back.

In these difficult economic times, I think we need a new definition of a wealthy nation. It should be based on how much they owe. In other words, the bigger the debt, the wealthier the nation. I think that the US would probably come out on top under the new definition. :huh:

Love's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. --Barbara De Angelis

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wit

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Tuesday, August 31st 2010, 10:23am

Quoted

It should be based on how much they owe. In other words, the bigger the debt, the wealthier the nation.I think that the US would probably come out on top under the new definition.

Well, I think it doesnt seem to make sense. In my view, the USA is always one of the powerful countries. even in the economic crisis, no one can compete with him. I know China is becoming more and more flourishing. but we all know the truth china is a big counry, not strong or wealthy one. we chinese has much to do before we are wealthy.

In the last years, many natural disaster happened in china, for instance snow damage and Wenchuan earthquake in the 2008, southwestern arid in 2009 and debri flow in August 11th. with the assitance and sympathy of the intenational communities and our government's leadership, the victims overcame these difficulties.

we are living in the globalization where one country may affect on the rest of the world. so whether wealthy or not, all countries should be encouraged to help with each other. what's more, the not wealthy countries must be responsible for themselves and the government should take measures to boost the economic development.

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TamaraNite

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Tuesday, August 31st 2010, 2:01pm

Quoted from "TamaraNite"

In these difficult economic times, I think we need a new definition of a wealthy nation. It should be based on how much they owe. In other words, the bigger the debt, the wealthier the nation. I think that the US would probably come out on top under the new definition.

Quoted from "wit"

Well, I think it doesnt seem to make sense.

Wit, you are absolutely right. Defining the wealth of a nation by how much debt they owe does not make sense. That last paragraph was not meant to be taken seriously, but I think that fact got lost in translation. I'm sorry I did not make that a bit clearer.

Love's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. --Barbara De Angelis

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Silvio

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Wednesday, September 1st 2010, 7:52pm

I'd define a wealthy country in its freedom and education. If almost every child goes to a public school and gets even a high education compared with the ones in a private school this is, what really shows off the wealth of a nation. Debts, profits, economics are words which are important for the time we are currently in... I suppose we're going to have a lot more economic crisis than before. So why don't we focus more on something which will remain even in crisis? Like knowledge, education, infrastructure, fair laws and last but not least our freedom of speech, talk, discuss, think and criticise.

In the long run we will realize that we can't express wealth not only in numbers (even though it may looks good on your bank account

) but on facts like education.

I've been looking for a German proverb which sounds in English like this:
"To temper the wind to the shorn lamb"

If we have the guts to make excellent education possible for everyone a country really gets wealthy... and in the long run even raise the GDP (gross domestic product - I also had to look it up... in German it'd be the "BIP) to a higher level - that would be just a side effect, though.

What do you think about my statement?

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels. - Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)

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TamaraNite

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Thursday, September 2nd 2010, 8:09am

Studies have shown that the only way to break the cycle of poverty is to provide the poor with a quality education, including equal educational opportunities for girls and women. And I most definitely agree with you, Silvio, that freedom is a quality that defines the wealth of both a nation and an individual. Under normal conditions, in a free society, an individual with a quality education can become anything he or she desires.

Here is a saying that I have heard: "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for the rest of his life."

I like the proverb "God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." Here we say, "The Good Lord won't put more on you than you can bear." I think it means the same thing, but yours is much more poetic and gentle.

You said, "So why don't we focus more on something which will remain even in crisis? Like knowledge, education, infrastructure, fair laws and last but not least our freedom of speech, talk, discuss, think and criticise."

Love's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. --Barbara De Angelis

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TamaraNite

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Thursday, September 2nd 2010, 9:05am

Sorry, but the message decided to post before I was finished writing. Here is what I wanted to say:

I think your statement is right, Silvio. The more a person learns, the more he or she realizes the possibilities of a better life. Free speech, fair laws, equal rights, a voice in their government, the right to vote, freedom of religion, and justice for all are all possibilities.

Once they realize the possibilities, they want to make them a part of their lives. They want to change things. This is the tricky part. Is this going to require a revolution? Will it be a peaceful revolution or a bloody one? Changes are not made without sacrifice. In some countries, people are jailed and tortured for criticizing the government.

Before the 1960s in America, most people had these freedoms, but there were people who did not. Black people were not treated fairly; they did not have the same rights. But as they became more educated, they began to fight for their freedoms. Many died. Dr. Martin Luther King, a civil rights leader who insisted on peaceful demonstrations, was shot and killed by an assassin.

Black people in America finally won their freedom, but it was at a high price. I know it was worth it, but we must always keep in mind that freedom does come at a high price, and we must all be willing to pay the price for our children and grandchildren.

So, when you talk about having “the guts to make excellent education possible for everyone,” are you thinking about starting a revolution?

Love's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. --Barbara De Angelis

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Silvio

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Friday, September 3rd 2010, 1:31pm

Like you said, changes are not made without sacrifice. Instead of a violent revolution I had the idea that the people will slowly change anyway.

Because think about this: Our grandparents couldn't travel really far (my grandparents haven't been outside of Europe, for example). Our parents were able to travel much further... they were able to go abroad in their early 20s (at least some of them). Now have a look at our generation - everyone's travelling around easily and can see different continents before even turn 30!

What does it mean? Earlier the poverty, big crisis and so on were just far far away. But now, this changed a lot. We see each other more and more as people from one world. We realize that we have to solve problems on a global level and that education will help us to create a better world.

If I reread it again, it really sounds like written from a too optimistic young guy, but I believe in a lot of good changes when the youth from now is going to take the most influenced positions - that may happen in 30 years. Because we have seen more than just our own country and are more open-minded than every generation before. We have seen problems in other countries, poverty, slums, catastrophes and so on - but not just with the thought it's happening far far away but we have actually seen it (at least some of us).

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels. - Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)

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TamaraNite

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Friday, September 3rd 2010, 1:57pm

Quoted from "Silvio"

If I reread it again, it really sounds like written from a too optimistic young guy

No, it doesn't sound too optimistic. This is how things begin. It starts with a dream. Then the dream becomes a possibility and the possibility a goal. When enough people say, "Let's make it happen!", the goal will finally become a reality.

Without optimism, we would still be living in caves.

(I wrote this once, but it did not post. So, if this posts twice, you will know why.)

Love's greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred. --Barbara De Angelis

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wit

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Friday, September 3rd 2010, 2:27pm

Some measures are being taken by the wealthy countries in the educations. for example, some of the Yale and MIT courses are open in the internet. everyone can download them and share the education resources of the famous universities just with a computer. Meanwhile, a lot of voluteers are translating the open courses into chinese . Those who wanna learn but have the limited learning materials are given the good opportunity of a better education. Maybe this is another form of wealth distribution.

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