For this week, you are going to imagine yourself as a President/Prime Minister of a small, non-aligned FICTIONAL country in the 1960s during the Cold War. You can imagine your country to be within Southeast Asia, Africa, or Latin America - just make sure to tell me where. You've been caught between the US and the USSR, between liberal capitalism and communism, ever since the end of World War II. You've tried to stay neutral, but by now that just isn't an option anymore; you need a powerful ally.Which one will you chose - the US or the USSR? Remember, the political ideology comes with it!
Write this post as if you were writing a memo to the other members of your government explaining your choice. Why do you think this particular ally is the best? What evidence of their superiority have you seen in other countries? Considering the state of the world, post-World War II in the 1960s, what parts of their ideology appeal to you? What do you see as the biggest problems with the country that you chose NOT to ally with?
PLEASE try to think from a historical perspective - in the 1960s, it was still very much unclear whether communism or capitalism would ultimately prove to be the stronger, better ideology.
After centuries of systematic destruction from the Spanish imperialists, the South American continent continues to find itself victims of capitalist self-indulgence. The Americans and Western Europeans want nothing more than to see their countries thrive, at the expense of the rest of the world. The Americans in particular would never want to see a newer power threaten their hegemony. Moreover, following the First world war and now the Second they were left in a relatively unaffected state, unlike Europe, yet they unfairly used this to their advantage and have sought for nothing more than world dominance. They do not truly care for the countries that surround them and would likely rather take control of our resources and continue our long suffering from imperialistic agendas.
ReplyDeleteFor us to follow a communist ideology, however, our people would finally be equal. The poor would no longer have to worry about jobs or feel as if they are inherently worth less than those with better means. This would also bring about a greater sense of national pride and bring about an incentive for all to work as a collective force to further our countries advancement. Both socially and economically, the disparity between the classes would be no longer and our separation from the rest of the world would quickly be taken care of. If China and Russia are to serve as anything other than being a perfect example of a communist state, it would be their economic and industrial explosions. After two centuries of industrial growth in the West, both China and Russia saw a similar level in growth, but in a quarter of the time. Russia is now the American's greatest threat, while the American's and their intrusive tendencies have proved to be a threat to the rest of the world.
Capitalism would only further separate our struggling working class with the upper class. This social stratification has been relevant since the Spanish came to the Americas. The Spaniards only wanted to pillage the native's gold and utilize their services with no compensation. While the rich elites were unwilling to share this wealth or give the colonists a far share of land. Therefore, we must insure that all of our people are taken care of. This separation between the classes benefits no one. Moreover, we must find a way to industrialize in order to keep up and with social balance, this would be much easier to attain.
What must come about is not only a shift in political ideology, but an alliance with Russia. They served as the liberating force for the Eastern European nations during the Second world war and have made no attempts to shove their ideals down others throats. The Americans, nevertheless, have only increased their role in international affairs and make empty promises which only benefit themselves. Thus, this alliance would prove to be mutually beneficial for us and the Russians alike. And when the war finally takes a turn, we will be in perfect position to assist the Russians against the self-indulging capitalist Americans.
Writing from the perspective of a fictional country in Southeast Asia.
ReplyDeleteMy fellow politicians –
It is with deep consideration that I suggest that we join with the USSR during this time of global conflict. Our growing economy could use the financial backing and political teachings from an ally who was able to rapidly industrialize and become a superior world power. It is communism that may help to lead our population out of poverty and anguish and into that of a modernized society. Our working class is the bones of our society and we cannot grow without supporting them. Not only would we benefit economically from their influence, but also our geographic proximity would allow us a close ally in the instance of a foreign invasion. We should steer clear of the United States of America, as their push for capitalism would only stunt our modernization and economic growth by adhering to policies that only benefit the bourgeoisie.
Rachel L.
ReplyDelete*Writing from the perspective of the fictional country, Radonesia, in Southeast Asia*
My fellow statesmen,
I assure that it is now in our country’s greatest interest to align with the United State’s in their fight against the spread of communism. If we care at all about the welfare of our citizenry, we will not succumb to an ideology as harsh as that of communism, one that would denounce creativity, reduce the incentive to work hard, and restrict the rights of our people. Despite the considerable economic success that Stalin brought to the USSR by means of his 5 Year Plan, the forced collectivization that resulted from it had no moral bounds. We have also seen first-hand how communism has internally ravaged Vietnam and China, countries proximate to our own. Thus, we should see it fit to join the United States and liberal capitalism not only in the interest of our safety from the USSR and securing a powerful ally, but also in the name of justice. We must fight for democracy and the right of the people to choose their government, not to be subjected to it. As an ally of the United States, an imperial leader and nation that has exhibited unparalleled military strength on the world scene, our country would enjoy political and moral superiority above those states whom have fallen, most unfortunately, under the influence of socialism.
Susannah Tuthill
ReplyDeleteComrades,
As leader of Hippolatma, I urge us all to end our neutrality agreement and align with the USSR. We cannot stay neutral any longer, and I believe a communist government would benefit our country the most. Being in Latin America, we have a large supply of quality goods the world wants a needs, such as sugar and bananas. We should align with the Soviet Union to open mutual trade, and gain further access to the Western European region. As a small country, we also need a strong ally like the USSR to protect us, especially since they have nuclear weapons. Furthermore, communist ideals are needed in our country. Each person will be given equal chances to make money, and a communist economy will decrease the gap between the rich and poor and equalize them. We should not align with the United States based on the fact that they are so vehemently agains communism. Their various policies, including containment, shows how fearful they are of the USSR, making the Soviets much stronger and powerful than the Americans. We need to align with the strongest country possible with the best ideologies, which would be the USSR.
If I were the president of nation (not dictator), probably in Latin America, I would have to go with the US and align with capitalism. For one, being in Latin America, the close proximity to the US and ability to align with them would definitely serve as a huge benefit for the growth of our country. I would also consider the economic states of the communist nations, and how many were struggling and forced to resort to a communist state. I would believe that capitalism would prevail and our citizens can grow and create their own wealth, not communal. The US was doing just great being capitalist, no revolutions needed, plus they serve as a strong, close ally so I would definitely turn my nation into a capitalist nations.
ReplyDelete