Americans need to understand that not every country holds the same values. We have to come to some sort of philosophical comprehension of this, and try to set aside the natural native ego involved. (We have trouble with this.)
(American values) != (everyone else)
in the same sense that
(Western humanism) != (everyone else)
in the same sense that
(Western humanism) != (everyone else)
This doesn't mean that American values are BETTER either. (Or WORSE either, Democrats.)
Different.
Different.
How does a liberal society cope with other societies that aren't as liberal? We believe that women are equal to men in capability and opportunity. Certain societies don't believe this. Does this mean that the women there are 'oppressed' and should be 'rescued'? Would they even agree? Should we aggressively evangelize our beliefs, because we're 'certain' they're better in an absolute sense? Aside from the fact that other cultures may be JUST as certain of their superiority, how does this jibe with the (current) Western opinion frowning on the actions of 16-19th century colonialist missionaries, who were JUST as certain at the time that they needed to do what they were doing to SAVE the souls of the 'poor little ignorant fuzzy-wuzzies'?
My personal answer to this makes people uncomfortable. What's yours?
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