Countries are formed and the boundaries setup based upon language, geography or based upon its ancient history. But there is a permeating theme that binds it together, something that its founding fathers found so strong that they build either a constitution or a whole set of philosophical as well as practical guidelines surrounding that theme. Every Country is setup on that basic theme which becomes its foundation.
When Europeans sailed for India using the western route, they found America by chance. That chance gave them a unique opportunity to setup themselves differently on how they were in Europe. The boundaries were already there, there was already a legacy and culture. The languages were well defined and they had literary contributions based upon the cultural and social setup. They had rich foundation already. But what about the new generation that was brooding. How could they differentiate themselves? The boundaries are already set, how can they create and invent a new path for themselves? Its true that Europeans were always on the move and finding new colonies. But those colonies were giving a tough resistance since they already had their own foundation and they could not be ruled with any other super-imposition.
When the same Europeans found a new land, thinly populated and largely unorganised, they found a unique opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate. Hence America was born. Some may say, exactly opposite to how Europe, more particularly, Great Britain was setup. The new land, America, propagated free speech, capitalism, democracy and did not have to be bounded by thousands of years of legacy and culture. The theme was simple, the individual was empowered. His efforts were rewarded and individual rights were protected within the greater community. When the foundation is strong, so is the love for country. If country empowers you and like minded people join forces, you want to protect what you have got.
As with anything, over time things do get diluted. Neo thinking starts to appear and newer generations do not connect with the ideas of their forefathers. Much so is happening in USA right now. The democratic liberal thinking that, gives community and the minorities back their rights and treat them over and above generic individual rights, has taken over.
The country then gets divided. People want to uphold the founding father thoughts asserting that they knew better when laying the foundation. The new generation contends changing times and need to change the thinking. Liberal versus Conservative battle rages. Each pulls the country to far left or far right. Whoever gets into power starts to place its own agenda and the country starts to get polarised. Nobody wins. In reality if we look at us as individuals, we are not at any end. We are somewhere in the middle may be with inclination towards left of right. We want the people in power to understand and make issue based choices. If liberals are in power and there is some conservative agenda that makes sense, then why not implement it. But who is there to make the choice or decision on what makes sense.
It is always like, whoever is in power would put their agenda in place without regards to what people actually need. After all you vote only once. Whoever magically wins majority pulls the country in its own direction and the opposition in the other. The tug-of-war is to take the decisions to opposite poles and not compromise.
The entire world is witnessing the same phenomenon. The government and opposition are polarising the people, Middle path is not an option because it tantamount to losing your ground.
When the countries are young, Government comprises of people with the original thought and they know how much to give in to the other side and decisions get taken in general interest. As the countries get older, the original thought or the founding thought gets diluted and it only remains the clash of egos. Nobody really wins in this scenario.
Serious thought is needed as to why there are so many countries in the world. What makes them different? The boundaries are setup because of these differentials. If the citizen of the country do understand why their country came into being and what needs to be defended, then they would love their country more and will defend it at any cost.
When Europeans sailed for India using the western route, they found America by chance. That chance gave them a unique opportunity to setup themselves differently on how they were in Europe. The boundaries were already there, there was already a legacy and culture. The languages were well defined and they had literary contributions based upon the cultural and social setup. They had rich foundation already. But what about the new generation that was brooding. How could they differentiate themselves? The boundaries are already set, how can they create and invent a new path for themselves? Its true that Europeans were always on the move and finding new colonies. But those colonies were giving a tough resistance since they already had their own foundation and they could not be ruled with any other super-imposition.
When the same Europeans found a new land, thinly populated and largely unorganised, they found a unique opportunity to start fresh with a clean slate. Hence America was born. Some may say, exactly opposite to how Europe, more particularly, Great Britain was setup. The new land, America, propagated free speech, capitalism, democracy and did not have to be bounded by thousands of years of legacy and culture. The theme was simple, the individual was empowered. His efforts were rewarded and individual rights were protected within the greater community. When the foundation is strong, so is the love for country. If country empowers you and like minded people join forces, you want to protect what you have got.
As with anything, over time things do get diluted. Neo thinking starts to appear and newer generations do not connect with the ideas of their forefathers. Much so is happening in USA right now. The democratic liberal thinking that, gives community and the minorities back their rights and treat them over and above generic individual rights, has taken over.
The country then gets divided. People want to uphold the founding father thoughts asserting that they knew better when laying the foundation. The new generation contends changing times and need to change the thinking. Liberal versus Conservative battle rages. Each pulls the country to far left or far right. Whoever gets into power starts to place its own agenda and the country starts to get polarised. Nobody wins. In reality if we look at us as individuals, we are not at any end. We are somewhere in the middle may be with inclination towards left of right. We want the people in power to understand and make issue based choices. If liberals are in power and there is some conservative agenda that makes sense, then why not implement it. But who is there to make the choice or decision on what makes sense.
It is always like, whoever is in power would put their agenda in place without regards to what people actually need. After all you vote only once. Whoever magically wins majority pulls the country in its own direction and the opposition in the other. The tug-of-war is to take the decisions to opposite poles and not compromise.
The entire world is witnessing the same phenomenon. The government and opposition are polarising the people, Middle path is not an option because it tantamount to losing your ground.
When the countries are young, Government comprises of people with the original thought and they know how much to give in to the other side and decisions get taken in general interest. As the countries get older, the original thought or the founding thought gets diluted and it only remains the clash of egos. Nobody really wins in this scenario.
Serious thought is needed as to why there are so many countries in the world. What makes them different? The boundaries are setup because of these differentials. If the citizen of the country do understand why their country came into being and what needs to be defended, then they would love their country more and will defend it at any cost.
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