Obama has, by his demeanor and views, has coveyed ,for the first time after JFK, that US is not arrogant,unilateral and a Big Daddy.US is perceived in most countries as arrogant and bossy.This Obama seems to eradicate this impression.
His practical approach in G 20 meet and the dexterity with which he has handled UK and France was good.His approach to world trouble spots is practical,his reactions to N.Korea has been sober and matured.
In all, Obama conveys the impression of being soft yet firm;firm and consensus building-marks of a statesman.
Tag: Politics
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Obama-Refreshing voice of US.
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Public Conscience Vs Private Conscience.
Hobbes’s definition that private conscience as distinct from Public conscience omits conveniently the fact that Public Conscience (?) has been formed after collective private consciences.This dichotomy is due to mixing up of ethics, which is normative against running day to day life ,which is pragmatical.Freedom of choice is individualistic and not collective.Conflict arises only when there is a different perception of the same issue eithet by many or by the same individual at different times.Put it simply, what one’s conscience says as Right at one point of Time, the same conscience will say Wrong at another time.
Then what is Right and what is Wrong at the individual level?
There are as many systems of thoughts as there are philosophers-Idealism,Empiricism,Pragmatism , Logical positivism.
Interesting to note the concept of ‘Dharma’ in Hindu Philosophy.Dharma is performing what one ought to in consonance with one’s Nature, which consists of his dispositions.This has to be tempered with social responsibilities, as we call Public judgements today.In case of Conflict,Public responsibility must take precedence. Compare this to Kant’s Categorical Imperative, which states an action is to be performed, because it ought be..
As for as political context goes, this option will help those who want to cross vote , as happened in India , when President V.V.Giri, won a conscience vote(cross voting),defeating official candidate of the Party in Presidential election.
Politics and Ethics do not mix. -
Displaced Tamils-SriLanka.
Killing of Prabhakaran and LTTE is symptomatic treatment.Unless the Govt is held accountable for genocide,it grants equal Rights to Tamils, grants devolutuion of powers, more virulent form of LTTE will be waiting.
Sadly, international community, especially India, isi silent on mass murder and ethnic cleansing.Repurcussions in India -Tamil Nadu will be severe.Illusion that Tamil Nadu is quiet is the harbinger of worse things to come.It is in India’s interest that India takes a lead in settling the problem. Not only this.India is already ringed by China in Nepal,Arunachal pradesh,Bangladesh,Pakistan.Let’’s not add Srilanka to this list.
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G20-Hilarious
The assemblage reminds one of Medieval Nobility, sans King,where mutual backslapping and bonhomie was in evidence, concealing the dagger .What is for public consumption is not for private practice.The more powerful is trying to off-load their burden on the less powerful(though economically powerful).
Is it not hilarious to find China on the Economic policy making body while it is the culprit in dumping the world with hazardous and under priced products, black mailing countries including US by touting its local market strength?
It is the same China that keeps on committing Human Rights violations.Or take Israel which steadfastly refuses to freeze settlements in West Bank, causing untold miseries to Palestinians and yet it finds a pride of place in this august(?) summit; or take Pakistan which is safe haven for terrorists,Libya known violator of International Law,North Korea, the international Government terrorist; Sri Lanka ,perpetrator of Tamil genocide.All these entities are going to save the world.Obama wanted a world audience, he got it.Period.
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