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Is independence a panacea for struggling, underdeveloped countries?
Results so far:
| Yes | 47% | 91 votes | Total: 192 votes | |
| No | 53% | 101 votes |
Yes
by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso
Created on: March 12, 2008
While Independence may not be an instant panacea, there are times when a region cannot survive living under an oppressive government or one that could care less about its interests. There are many examples of countries and regions that talk about independence such as Santa Cruz in Bolivia and different regions in the United States of America.
In the case of Bolivia under Evo Morales, there is a European Population in Santa Cruz that has felt threatened by the existing government. This is not the case of the poor stealing from the rich. This is the case of ethnic tensions already exacerbated by a government who has played the ethnic and class struggle card to attempt to consolidate his power. I remember seeing a segment of Bolivian Television in which a Constituent Assembly was elected in a small town. In the segment, one of the indigenous women saluted with a clenched fist to vote yes and taunted the opposition by calling them "white trash" even though those voting were indigenous. In La Paz, Bolivia; supporters of Evo Morales decapitated a dog in live television and stating: "This is how to deal with the white people". What is the response of Santa Cruz, instead of leaving Bolivia and going abroad; they decided to strike it out and launch their drive for independence. Santa Cruz has the right since they were independent briefly before being incorporated into Bolivia in 1825.
After talking about Bolivia, I want to talk about the United States of America. In an era where people are talking about Clinton, Obama, Mc Cain, and people are immigrating into the United States of America attracted by the promise of money growing in every corner, there are areas in the United States of America that are talking about secession or leaving the United States. Examples have been Vermont, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, Alaska, Michigan, and even California. After careful studying about these independence movements, these regions would be better off if they started declaring their independence. These states are even working gradually towards independence by forming or recuperating their national identities. One region has gone further which is Lakota Oyate. After a century and a half of abuse and poverty, the Sioux Nation which comprises parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming have declared their independence from the United States under the name Lakota Oyate. It is surreal that the United States of America and the European Union have recognized the independence of Kosovo but does not recognize the independence of Lakota Oyate.
For those who say Independence is in the mind of the few, remember that the United States of America was the creation of the few Englishmen who dared to say enough is enough. Independence is a panacea that works gradually and as soon as there is a sense of national identity.
Learn more about this author, Roberto Alvarez-Galloso.
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No
by Anthony Naumcheff
Created on: January 13, 2009
This can be a difficult question to answer. In a way, it should be the right of every unique ethnicity or nationality to govern themselves independently of foreign interference, to do things on their own. But in another way, It is simply wistful romanticism to lust after independence without a truly meaningful cause or course to follow. Doing so neglects certain inherent realities which come with independence, the simplest of which is "How will we become a functional society in the world?"
Independence in of itself does not fix anything for troubled countries. Independence may be a cornerstone of the solution, but it is not "the" solution. A real fix involves new ideas. It involves lots of people making lots of sacrifices. It takes a group of individuals who are willing to step up to the plate and truly bat for the peoples best interests. Courageous individuals who, whether they are citizens, civil servants, or governors, are able to not only create a finer vision of their peoples future, but can also tell them how to get there.
Sometimes this may involve a dictator, sometimes a democracy. Sometimes it may involve war, sometimes not. The key thing to realize though, is that assuming independence will provide a nation with a panacea for its problems is simply an illusion. Most small countries which follow the course of independence at all costs just trade one set of problems for another set: Oppression for starvation, joblessness for employed poverty. Or vice-versa.
Independe nce wont change what you're not willing to fix yourself. Or, Independence wont change what you yourself do not know how to fix. Countries which believe that simply by gaining freedom from a larger entity will allow them to get what they want may not be looking at the big picture: How will we feed our people? How will we sustain an economy? How will we defend ourselves? How will we maintain order and uphold the law? Particularly with very small territories which seek independence, these questions need to have viable answers before you should consider Independence as a means of improving your countries plight.
As I stated earlier, this can be a very difficult question to answer, and it must ultimately depend upon the circumstances. There are certain small countries which are able to become fully operational societies once set free, while many others struggle by the wayside and are unable to provide even the most essential of necessities. These countries which fail to provide are like the ones which I mentioned earlier-They thought freedom would bring riches, prosperity, and happiness. But they only got their independence, not the fruits they were after. These countries are the ones which prove Independence isn't a fix all.
What Independence is in fact, is a path. A path you can choose to take, or choose to wait on. But it is also a path which has many dangers, and if your not ready, it can be your undoing. The only thing you can do is make a judgement call and, if enough time is spent on it, hope that it is right. My advice: Make sure your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach.
Learn more about this author, Anthony Naumcheff.
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