Early civilisations gave us rich culture and heritage to be proud of. Works of literature, science and art improved human race and helped us in many ways. But as time progressed, thin lines of differences increased and greed took over. The hunger to earn more money and be powerful has created a huge gap between a handful of people and the rest of the society. For them to keep being rich and in power, the society has to work and suffer. Our present society is an outcome of years of slavery and sacrifice, to improve the lives of a few.
Governments want to maximise the full potential and productivity of human resource. For this, it is important that the working class are provided with safe and healthy living conditions with good civic amenities. Slowly we are noticing a change in the dwelling system of society. Before big cities existed, there were small towns and villages, which had economic independence and contributed to the overall economic growth. As corporations started spreading their business, financial hubs and bigger cities began forming. In search for jobs, more money and better lifestyle, people started moving to these cities.
In any economy, it is important that development takes place at all levels, be it cities or towns or even villages. Education, health, transport and security must be provided to everyone equally. However, the present trend is contradictory. Big cities have better hospitals, public transport systems and provide all other facilities, which make work easier and more productive. Urban colonies keep increasing in number. Internal migration and immigration are two main reasons for this. Towns and villages have to modify themselves in order to exist and keep the human resource. This need for change is leading to formation of newer cities and financial hubs.
Urbanisation helps the economy in several ways. It ensures that human resource is fully utilised and economy keep growing steadily. It provides good working conditions for the people and also improves their living conditions and lifestyle. Urbanisation also shows that a country is progressing and the people are progressive and ready for more business. This attracts more corporations to come and provide more jobs and contribute to the economy.
However, it does have its flaws. In present society, urbanisation is encouraging people to pursue money and materialistic possessions. Urban areas lay more stress on productivity and money, than values and beliefs. People are considered commodities and potential resources, instead of equal members of the society. On a broader view, urbanisation is slowly decaying the society. Since everyone is in search of money and power, actions of a few can cause harm to others. This occurs at all levels. Since not everyone can find a job, some are left poor and dwell in slums .In their desperation, they can commit acts of violence and crime. Also, since everyone wants to maximise their working hours in order to earn more, there is less emphasis on personal health and family. Eating fast foods, consuming alcohol, smoking and lack of exercise and diet decays the human body and leads to several health problems later in their life. Urbanisation also harms the smaller towns and villages. Human resource is shifted to the cities and the rest of the country has to either transform itself or cease to exist. Finally, despite the fact that everyone is educated and well-read, emphasis lays more on money, than on self.
Present society needs a wake-up call. Even if urbanisation helps the economy, it is slowly decaying the basic human values and ethics. There is no urgent need to chase money; it is only leading to more problems which keep growing. Earlier civilisations and cities also existed, but with a balance between the urban and rural areas. Governments must ensure there is less emphasis on creating an urbanised country and more on the well being and development of the people who form the society.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Globalised Identity
Humans are generally the most insecure living beings on the planet. The need to belong and the need to be able to relate to similar people are high. Hence, we tend to exist in groups with other people who have the same beliefs, values and thoughts as us. This mentality has led to the creation of many different civilisations all over the world, where societies were mere tribes with a similar set of rules and norms. Cast, religion, colour and creed led to formation of further tribes. This division kept increasing till the beginning of the 18th Century. New religions and beliefs came into existence and the number of followers kept increasing. With the Industrial Revolution, British Colonisation and World Wars, people started to become exposed to other cultures and societies.
In this day and age, where Globalisation is the key to any successful business venture, interdependence between nations has become important. This has helped several countries to acknowledge and accept the free-thinking attitude of other countries and add the values which can help improve the society. Many countries have also made economical and industrial advancements to help the people and make progress. However, it has also led to several problems in other countries.
Many believe that over-exposure to the lifestyle and standard of living in developed countries encourages people in lesser developed countries to act or do things which can be against common values and norms. The blame of such behaviour is then put on western countries and the belief that they are trying to influence the youth in other countries to forget their native culture and adopt the western way of living. Although this kind of thinking can be considered backward and intolerant, we must respect it. Culture plays a pivotal role in the way the society behaves. If the lesser developed countries cannot enjoy the same economic benefits as other countries, they take pleasure in the fact that they still have their culture and that it will be passed on and followed by the children. When western thinking threatens this hope, many react aggressively and protest to the changes.
In present set-up, we can see that there are organisations all over the world, which are against the social behaviour of other societies. Even in developed countries, many organisations exist which are against liberal thinking and way of life. For any society to progress, each and every member must participate and be active in the decision making process. If some people decide not to do so, the country fails to progress as a unit and power gets concentrated in a few hands, while others get left behind.
Regarding the global scenario, international governing bodies must work with governments of different countries so that globalisation doesn’t alienate people of one country from each other. This will only lead to further social problems. Social change is a very slow process. It will only take place after an economic change. Any sudden social change will lead to resistance and intolerance of people in other countries. Finally, regarding local scenario, the state must make sure that any differences which divide the people of the same country must be removed. All problems of inequality and discrimination must be solved, before the government can think of making progress. Only if everyone is united and ready to participate, will the country make economic and social advancements.
In this day and age, where Globalisation is the key to any successful business venture, interdependence between nations has become important. This has helped several countries to acknowledge and accept the free-thinking attitude of other countries and add the values which can help improve the society. Many countries have also made economical and industrial advancements to help the people and make progress. However, it has also led to several problems in other countries.
Many believe that over-exposure to the lifestyle and standard of living in developed countries encourages people in lesser developed countries to act or do things which can be against common values and norms. The blame of such behaviour is then put on western countries and the belief that they are trying to influence the youth in other countries to forget their native culture and adopt the western way of living. Although this kind of thinking can be considered backward and intolerant, we must respect it. Culture plays a pivotal role in the way the society behaves. If the lesser developed countries cannot enjoy the same economic benefits as other countries, they take pleasure in the fact that they still have their culture and that it will be passed on and followed by the children. When western thinking threatens this hope, many react aggressively and protest to the changes.
In present set-up, we can see that there are organisations all over the world, which are against the social behaviour of other societies. Even in developed countries, many organisations exist which are against liberal thinking and way of life. For any society to progress, each and every member must participate and be active in the decision making process. If some people decide not to do so, the country fails to progress as a unit and power gets concentrated in a few hands, while others get left behind.
Regarding the global scenario, international governing bodies must work with governments of different countries so that globalisation doesn’t alienate people of one country from each other. This will only lead to further social problems. Social change is a very slow process. It will only take place after an economic change. Any sudden social change will lead to resistance and intolerance of people in other countries. Finally, regarding local scenario, the state must make sure that any differences which divide the people of the same country must be removed. All problems of inequality and discrimination must be solved, before the government can think of making progress. Only if everyone is united and ready to participate, will the country make economic and social advancements.
Democracy and Human Rights
Human society evolution has been remarkable. In early times, a leader was chosen to reign over a group of people who had a common set of beliefs and values. This person was made responsible for maintaining justice and development in the society. As time progressed, Gods and many superstitions came into existence. People had fear of the unknown. This fear led to power being concentrated in a few hands, while the others had little or no say in the decision-making process. However, their frustration and anger against this injustice grew. With free thinking, came the need for change. Industrial revolution and ideals of freedom encouraged people to fight the existing system. Democracy had taken birth and the people had the power to choose their own leaders and administrators.
Democracy in true meaning should exist at every level and in each form of society. However, we see nowadays that many governments make decisions and policies, which are not liked by majority of the public. Many decisions involving tax, finance, defence, infrastructure, etc which the government enforces, are to the general dislike of the people. Yet, they go through without much protest or resistance. Somewhere, democracy lost its true path. Blame can be put on several factors. But the fact remains that, those that have more money are considered to be more important and have a greater say in the decision making process. Their influence leads to many changes in the society which help them, instead of benefiting the entire society. This situation is no different than earlier times, when priests had to be consulted every time by the kings and queens, before taking a major decision. The only difference is that now, the harm caused by selfish motives and indecision is much more and effects more people.
There are many countries in the world which poor in every sense, their standard of living, their economy and their governance. These countries have not experienced many of the changes and developments which have already taken place in other counties. Hence, democracy is not the major issue for them. Most often, it is basic survival, shelter and food. The declining democratic system in many countries is a smaller issue than human rights. In many countries in Africa and Asia, the people are exploited and their rights are ignored. Many big corporations set up factories and workshops in these countries, where they can find cheap labour and many resources. There have been delegations held and laws made, by the international governing bodies, but the implementation has been very poor.
Human rights issue is not only prevalent in third-world counties, but also in many of the developed countries. As discussed earlier, the democratic system with a capitalist set up is failing to provide for all and be just. Many people are losing their jobs and several others are not able to sustain. Human rights come into play in this case, as people are unable to change such a situation and cannot beat the established system. In any event, the major decisions are left with the governing body, while trivial and unimportant issues left to be decided by the general public.
In conclusion, we can see that both democracy in its true meaning and human rights, are on a slow decline. Western nations are not different many of the less developed countries, with dictatorship and state governance. There is a need for change, which can be only brought by education and spreading awareness to the public, regarding their rights and duties as citizens. At the same time, democracy and human rights should be brought to other countries, which have been exploited till now for their resources.
Democracy in true meaning should exist at every level and in each form of society. However, we see nowadays that many governments make decisions and policies, which are not liked by majority of the public. Many decisions involving tax, finance, defence, infrastructure, etc which the government enforces, are to the general dislike of the people. Yet, they go through without much protest or resistance. Somewhere, democracy lost its true path. Blame can be put on several factors. But the fact remains that, those that have more money are considered to be more important and have a greater say in the decision making process. Their influence leads to many changes in the society which help them, instead of benefiting the entire society. This situation is no different than earlier times, when priests had to be consulted every time by the kings and queens, before taking a major decision. The only difference is that now, the harm caused by selfish motives and indecision is much more and effects more people.
There are many countries in the world which poor in every sense, their standard of living, their economy and their governance. These countries have not experienced many of the changes and developments which have already taken place in other counties. Hence, democracy is not the major issue for them. Most often, it is basic survival, shelter and food. The declining democratic system in many countries is a smaller issue than human rights. In many countries in Africa and Asia, the people are exploited and their rights are ignored. Many big corporations set up factories and workshops in these countries, where they can find cheap labour and many resources. There have been delegations held and laws made, by the international governing bodies, but the implementation has been very poor.
Human rights issue is not only prevalent in third-world counties, but also in many of the developed countries. As discussed earlier, the democratic system with a capitalist set up is failing to provide for all and be just. Many people are losing their jobs and several others are not able to sustain. Human rights come into play in this case, as people are unable to change such a situation and cannot beat the established system. In any event, the major decisions are left with the governing body, while trivial and unimportant issues left to be decided by the general public.
In conclusion, we can see that both democracy in its true meaning and human rights, are on a slow decline. Western nations are not different many of the less developed countries, with dictatorship and state governance. There is a need for change, which can be only brought by education and spreading awareness to the public, regarding their rights and duties as citizens. At the same time, democracy and human rights should be brought to other countries, which have been exploited till now for their resources.
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