Posted on 05/15/2004 6:16:01 AM PDT by OldWNewW
ON THE NEED TO PROTECT WESTERN VALUES
As a scholar with an interest in world history and having lived in many countries in Europe and North America, I find myself repeatedly stunned at the uniqueness of our era and its values, western values. I have to date to locate in the annals of world history any people, any epoch or culture which has on such a demographically and geographically large scale offered individuals and groups the possibility of choice and development according to the dictates of their own conscience, free to be more or less part of a larger group, free to be more or less individual and autonomous. From the autocracy of the ancient Church, through the renaissance including the critique of many great thinkers and scientists, some who gave their very lives, western culture has evolved into one of the greatest and most liberating experiments of all time.
Obviously, there is a dark side to this freedom too. Democracy is only as good as the minds of citizens, their ability to reason and argue, their knowledge of history and their command of philosophy. Its strength and diversity is in the competition of ideas and the social contracts between differing groups with differing viewpoints. Yet however different we westerners may be, we still share most of the same basic values. Today these values are challenged. In part, our values are challenged by groups of people who do not understand or who outright misinterpret our history and values. Post-colonial postmodernism would appear to wish to aleviate a guilty western conscience by claiming that all cultures are not only equal in worth, but similar to each other in motives and objectives. Nothing is more far from the truth than this surprisingly widely accepted and gravely erroneous postulate. Cultures do differ as do their basic values, as do their views of the nature, role and worth of humanity. To deny this is to fly in the face of reality, to resign to the world of naive fantasy, for fear of the unthinkable: the impending conflict between large cultures.
It is not my intention to present a mere philosophical or theoretical treatise. There are far more important issues that need to be addressed in a concrete manner. Firstly, it is my honest view that western culture in Europe, North America, South America and other parts of the West is in grave danger. The problem or cause is not simply "them" or other non-western groups living in the west. No single group can be blamed for seeming downfall of our own system of values and culture. No simple factor or issue can be blamed, such as sexual immorality or lack of prayer in schools. In fact, what is happening is intimidatingly complex and multifaceted. Simply put, while we become increasingly incapable of the one thing which is pertinent to the preservation of democracy- using our minds to the fullest- other processes are at work in the world, including what I refer to as the current regime for migration to the west, are slowly undermining the stability of our system of values. This is further aggravated by what I referred to above as the purging of a guilty post-colonialist conscience on the part of the west which is often embodied in national climates of debate. Climates that do not allow for a frank and critical discussion concerning the current regime for migration.
In this context, one major solution to several infra-west problems has been overlooked or simply swept under the carpet by unscrupulous "multiculturalists". In the wake of decreasing populations in western Europe (the place of origin of large segments of the North American, South American, Australian and New Zealander populations) and in other parts of the west, discussions, particularly in the Nordic countries are focused almost entirely in recruitment from Asia, Africa and part of eastern Europe. Yet, the idea of opening up for easier migration between the New and the Old World to alleviate the population and labour problems of both is being ignored, intentionally ignored. Studies done in both areas show time and again two important results. Firstly, when asked who they would rather let into the country, people on both sides of the Atlantic choose each other. Secondly, when the placement and social integration of immigrants into their host societies is studied (including dependency on social welfare, learning the language, seeking employment, being employed, starting a business), intra-west immigrants have shown themselves to be resourceful and motivated. It might be worth mentioning that as non-westerners Vietnamese, Thais and Japanese also do very well. Despite what we know about these aspects and despite the fact that we have known of these results for quite some time, our governments have put together immigration regimes which for the most part work in direct conflict with this reality. In practise in western Europe, Africa, Asia and eastern Europe have when all comes around received during the past 20 years a "most favourable nation" status in immigration, whether it be as labourers or ultimately admitted refugees who stay and never return to their countries even after calm and order have been restored. This regime must be changed, if we are to stabilise our own region and protect our system of values, however ridiculous the political multiculturalists wish to make our legitimate concerns for the future sound. It should be remembered that a good debate must allow for uncomfortable questions to be directed at contentious issues. The present system of diplomacy through denial is bankrupt and responsible citizens and politicians must see to it that the debate is enriched and moved closer to the real world. Multiculturalism (whatever the real and ultimate meaning may be) is a wonderful thing! Just like market equilibrium with no social waste. Unfortunately, none of these exist in the real world. Unfortunately, blindly naivistic attempts to bring them about quickly have resulted in disaster.
Finally, my call to active citizens in favour of protecting and stabilising the West in the future and making sure that our values have a future is to commence and further the campaign for intra-west migration in this new century. Our generation in the New World wish to rediscover their roots and could do so while helping to build and sustain the Old World. Those in Europe who love the informal and risk-oriented societies of the New World could migrate and take their chances and contribute there.
This is not something which will come about by itself; citizens will have to compete with the voices of politicians who for one or another reason haven't understood this problem. There are also large corporations which see this model as a threat to low wages and outsourcing. Here priorities will have to be weighed- preserving western values and culture or the prospect of the possibility of even faster economic growth. Even the badly needed human rights organisations struggle with the problem of being turned into lobbying organisations for certain groups who are very keen when it comes to PR on their own behalf. This should be investigated and debunked for what it is, without damaging the organisations which play an important role. The multiculturalists will no doubt start the racism-sirens. They usually do, whenever they are challenged and cannot come up with a concrete and plausible reply. Regardless of which camp one belongs to, one cannot deny the fact that Europe exported much of its population to the New World and that immigration from the New World has been minimal. Perhaps it's time to for Europe to meet and incorporate her western grandchildren. This is something which even the multiculturalists could accept, that is if they really are non-partisan in nature.
Let it be known: I am absolutely as adamant about the freedom of non-westerners to have and pursue their own values. Yet let it be clear: the West has every right to secure its future and cherish its own heritage and values, even if this means making clear to immigrants that these values have precedence and shall be respected by all. For instance, the Saudi Arabian government states clearly in a publication "Islam cannot be separated from politics and state life, the values of the country are based on Islam. This is a fact". No problem! I respect that. That's why I choose not to travel to or live in Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, we in the West have the same right of self-determination and our values are also to be respected in the West. And it is ultimately up to us to protect them.
Great idea! Alas, too few will see the wisdom of your thoughts.
The West is fairly general.... Mexico lies to the West of
Europe.
We need to be more specific..
1 - "Any answer from politicians on line would be highly appreciated!! Any senators or others willing to work on this?!?!??"
LOL - Too bad. We don't have any politicians who could even read this gobbledegook.
He has a good point, but cant write worth a damn.
Essentially, he correctly says - To paraphrase - We in the West, developed a pretty remarkable civilization, and if we wish to keep it, we better be careful and honor it and protect it.
Too bad the citizens take these issues more seriously than our leaders. Once elected, they get a mind of their own.
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