Message-ID: <338218FA.2079@squirrel.com.au> Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 08:34:50 +1100 From: resolve <mailto:resolve@squirrel.com.au> Subject: 3rd world vs 1st world To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Well it's nice to have these issues discussed out there. I'm very pleased that debate has ensued. When I posted my query, it did occur to me that there is a lot of oppression going on all over the world by most groups who have any power. The Arabs, and who knows what all? If Australia had any power in world affairs, I'm sure we'd be at it as well. We certainly participate in the dominant economic hegemony and now have a conservative government from whence Pauline Hanson, whom cherbert alludes to as the campaigner against Aboriginal rights, sprang. Maybe we do a bit of damage in Papua New Guinea, I'm not sure.The crux of the problem, as I see it, is that money is put above life. It would be more tolerable if this were only the view of a few greedy billionnaires, but it is government policy in most of the developed nations, Australia included. In this respect, Australia, as a former British colony, is no different. I agree that the average Australian is no more likely to be a pious altruist than the average American or English person. I really was just wondering if the information about America's involvement (as one of the world's most economically and militarily powerful nations) in the oppression and exploitation of under-developed nations was shared or suppressed with/from the American people, not covertly attempting to lay blame and stir up a guilt trip.
The average Australian also does not think a great deal about the third world. They probably think more about football and cricket, although I think less people are interested in cricket these days. I can't speak for the Australian cricket team's behaviour in Britain, but I suspect that the media would be interested in stirring up a spirit of competition so that people will watch the cricket and they'll get sponsorship and so on. (This in reference to cherbert's comments).
And Aborigines in some parts of Australia live in third world conditions (I'm led to believe). In other parts they live in ghettos as many African American's do. I lived in one such ghetto myself for a while, and my daughter was victimised in the park by some rather agressive young Kooris (which is the Aboriginal word for Aborigines) so we moved...
The problems of the world are manifold and I'm not implying for a moment that Australia is exempt.
Thanks to those who answered my question. So it *is* taught in universities eh? Well that's one hurdle eliminated then. What am *I* going to do about addressing human inequalities in the world, I suppose I should ask myself, apart from contributing to an NGO. If anyone has some inside information on the work that Christian Children's Fund does in Latin America, I'd be very interested. Are there any on the list who have first hand experience in charitable programs in the under-developed countries and the effect these have on the societies and cultures? I know there was someone on the list who said they were working with people who would benefit with condoms... Still here?
Lee.
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