Thursday, August 11, 2005

Multiculturalism Paradox

One of the many reasons knee-jerk anti-war demonstrators are so funny is the paradox of their right to protest. Without past military success, they wouldn't have to worry about being able to express their opinion. Nothing fundamental has changed in the world that will ensure no more wars occur, and it's a benefit to all the citizens of the world that at least one country that stands for human rights has a force to do something about it.

A related paradox that columnists have written about after the London bombings is that of blind multiculturalism. It's important to examine the rights of individuals and recognize that no *person* should be placed above or below another person. Liberals have corrupted this philosophy to believe that no culture can be better or worse for people than another. This is shown in a great column by Michael Barone of US News and World Report. The paradox is this: multiculturalism itself would not exist if it weren't for the broader western culture. We *should* make incentives to change societies that trample the rights of individuals, whether through the communist ideal of citizens being sacrificed for the good of the state or the tyrannical idea that they exist to please the ruling warlord. It's our moral duty to further individual rights when we distribute international aid and act in the international sphere, whether or not it treats other cultures as equal to our.

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