From: Vincent Campbell (VCampbell@dmu.ac.uk)
Date: Mon 19 May 2003 - 13:42:25 GMT
The problem no-one's noted in the question is that the nation-state is
incapable of providing all of these things, because their size and scale
inherently means that different groups will emerge with competing interests.
Countries that appear to do well, and have been mentioned here all have
small populations and/or low population density. Ireland- 3 million people,
with virtually all the problematic protestants partitioned off in the north
(by the British, not the Irish of course), Scandanavian countries have
similar populations- Sweden amongst the largest with circa 10 million. New
Zealand- I'm not sure of the population exactly, but there's still about 15
sheep to every person, and the place is virtually empty (hence an ideal
location for lord of the rings panoramic shots). Holland is interesting
because of its long history of tolerance, however the recent flirtation with
pym fortune [sic], shows it's not immune to the political right. Anyway its
easier to be tolerant when your neighbours are a few miles down the road
rather than crammed in around you.... which actually makes me think of an
exception to the rule: Hong Kong, which for all its massive population
density is actually a very peacful and non-aggressive place- despite all
those John Woo and Jackie Chan movies.
What we need is either more sub-national localisation, or more
trans-nationalisation. I am actually in favour of the latter in the long
run although I don't think the current capitalist globalisation is the way
it should occur, unless it gives way to something better down the road, for
which we can only hope.
Vincent
> >> At 12:41 PM 13/05/03 -0400, you wrote:
> >>
> >>>Dear friends,
> >>>
> >>>What, if any, country or countries manifest the values of --
> >>>
> >>>- Learning
> >>>- Interpersonal respect
> >>>- Collective desire for social growth and evolution
> >>>- Tolerance
> >>>- Pluralism
> >>>- Care for children
> >>>- Curiosity, academic excellence, sense of adventure
> >>>- Positive excitement and sense of creating the future
> >>>
> >>>?
> >>>
> >>>Your thoughts?
> >>>
> >>>Lawry
>
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