Problems In Our World: More Complex Than You Might Think

Many of the problems that have arisen over the past decades seem, on face value, to be about religion.  While these conflicts, such as the ones in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, do have religious tensions that lead to escalation, the problems are more complicate than that.

These problems can often be traced back to geopolitical, economic, or social issues.  In its most basic form, conflict arises between those that have resources and those that don't.  Competition for power, supremacy, resources, and many other aspects of a successful society has been fraught with conflict.  As Graham Fuller argues in his book, A World Without Islam, the world would not be too different today without Islam because of these alternate conflicts that exist.  You can hear more about this here, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129131992, where Fuller is interviewed on NPR's Talk of the Nation.

Fuller's Book

If we realize how conflicts come about and realize that we are dealing with a very complex part of the world in the Middle East, we may have more success in our endeavors.  Problems hardly ever boil down to white and black, regardless of how they are painted to the electorate.  Realizing the comprehensiveness of the situation can be our best strategy going forward as we attempt to find peace in the Middle East.

A New Approach In American Politics

We need to take a new approach to politics.  We need to take back America and advocate policies that the people want.  We need to create a government that works for the people.  We need government to operate more efficiently.  The American people deserve better.  We cannot have ceaseless partisan bickering.  We need to do what is right for America, do what is right for the people.

We advocate this new approach to politics.  We encourage people to become active in their communities and encourage good governance.  We need to keep up to speed with current events and let our representative know how we feel about the issues, events, and policies that define our nation.  We cannot sit back while all the decisions are made by Washington bureaucrats.  We need to take action.

Treatise on Open Government

It is the duty of any government to provide the means to its inhabitants an ability to follow and understand what the government is doing.  In our nation, the system of checks and balances keep either the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches from attaining to much authority.  The people, however, are the final check on a government.  They give the consent to govern.  It is from them that the government gets its authority and legitimacy.  As a result, the government has an obligation to do what the people wish and make it evident that they are doing so.  The government must always be held accountable to the people, so the government should provide as much information as necessary to let the people know what is going on.

Admitting One is Wrong: A Necessary Evil

There has been many a time, especially recently, where another politician stands at a podium, denying that they had any part in unsuitable behavior.  They nearly always turn out to be lying.  It seems to us, as it may seem to many people, that if we all just admitted we were wrong at first, then there would be far fewer problems.

Except people have a lot of trouble admitting they were wrong, stupid, or unreasonable in their actions.  They will maintain, if only publicly, that they were always in the right, and twist their story into knots in order to portray themselves as the sane, rational, glorious beings that they most definitely are not.

The truth is, we all make mistakes.  We're human.  Some of us make dumber mistakes than others.  No matter. What really matters is how we cope with mistakes.  As wise people once said or wrote, there are no mistakes, only lessons.  And a lesson is repeated until it is learned.

We must all learn our lessons, and in order to do so it is better to admit wrongdoing rather than lie to our friends, colleagues, constituents, family, and ourselves.  People who tell the truth and can admit they were wrong and attempt with all their effort to make things right gain the support of those around them far more than those who go along as if they were right all the time.

If we are to truly do the right thing for our reputations, work, country, family, and ourselves, we should tell the truth, and not be afraid to say, well, we were wrong.    

Young People Taking Action in Society, Leaders Heed an Important Warning:

Young people have finally found their voice.

All across the world, young people eager for change are taking to the streets and are the real agents of change in global society.  Young people played a great role in the election of President Obama, but this movement is more than that.  In the Middle East, where people under 30 constitute around one third of the population, revolts, revolutions, and demonstrations are commonplace.

A special note to leaders: if you want to stay in power, make reforms and empower young people.  Make sure they have a role in society.  Make sure the have jobs, and education, and a future.  An angry population of twenty somethings is a force to be reckoned with, and leaders who do not heed this warning may soon see the short end of the stick.

Power for the People

A tragedy of despotism is occurring as we blog.  In places like Syria and Libya, leaders abuse and kill their own people in order to increase their power and authority.  This, we can all realize, is wrong.  What we need to do, as members of this nation, or any nation, is to encourage our government to increase the pressure on these nations to reform and change their ways.  Let not this generation be remembered as the one that condoned this murder.  We need to stand up and support the movement for free and fair elections, and governments of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

Embrace Challenges to Fix Problems in Society

Problems face our society every day.  At times, these problems seem overwhelming, as if they can't be fixed.  If we are to improve society and make it stronger, we need to embrace these challenges and fix our problems.  Many politicians shirk away from bold action when it is needed.  While there is a time for prudence and patience, there are also times when we need actions.  The status quo will remain forever, if we do not get our acts together.  We all have the power to change society.  Let's take action when action is needed most.

More on Foreign Policy

Instability in many nations leads to an influx in terrorists.  In order to combat this, we look at the root cause, so that we may hope to understand why this is happening. 

Instead of intruding into other countries, we must respect their sovereignty and push for reform.  In many instances, there are cruel dictators that will not reform or negotiate.  Conflict might be inevitable, no matter how much negotiation goes on.  Intervention will occur, but what then?  Before going in, powers need to have a game-plan on what will happen afterwards.  Concrete planning and collaboration with the locals on how to make their lives better and more peaceful is needed.  Nation-building is often frowned upon as policy, yet this may be needed.  Military action with no back end involvement will lead to the destruction of order in a country, bring the nation, and consequently the entire region, into chaos.

We need to work with the people of other countries, planning for strong, open, effective governments, accountable to the people, and free of corruption.

You

We all can change this world.  Big, tall, young, old, we all can make a difference.  People are the agents of change in this world.  We all have the power to make the world a better place.

Young People

Ignoring the young people of a nation is a grave offense on the part of any government.  It is tragic whenever governments do this and they are duly punished.  When young people are ignored, the get angry and revolt.  Change needs to come; reform must be swift.