blog #2

While reading chapter three I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend.  We were discussing the fact that every major civilization in the history of the world has had slavery.   In this chapter it starts off discussing what an empire is and who ruled them.  In the book Ways of the World (p.118) Robert Strayer describes what distinguishes an empire “At one level, empires are simply states, political systems that exercise coercive power.  The term, however, is normally reserved for larger and more aggressive states, those that conquer, rule, and extract resources from other states and peoples.”   Using this definition one might say that the United States is an empire.

Later in the text he goes on to say “empire also played an important role in defining masculinity as conquest generated a warrior culture that gave particular prominence to the men who created and ruled those empire states.    We see this in our own history of United States, particularly around the taking of land from the native Americans who lived here before us.  Even in our fictional heroes like roles John Wayne played; very masculine indeed.

While reading chapter 4 I found it very interesting reading about Confucius thoughts on creating harmony in China.  In WOTW (p170) his thoughts on the subject are described “No laws and punishments, but the moral example of of superiors was the Confucian key to a restored social harmony. For Consucius, human society consisted primarily of unequal relationships….If the superior party in each of these relationships behaved with sincerity, benevolence, and genuine concern for others, the the inferior  party would be motivated to respond with deference and obedience.”   In our current political situation many of those in charge, particularly in the right-wing party, treat the poor badly.   Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we took some of this ancient wisdom to heart?