problem: economic sanctions against dictatorship governments don’t work. look at zimbabwe. mugabe isn’t about to give up his outlived presidency just because western nations pressure him too. he is quite happy to ignore the suffering of his people, a suffering that our sanctions have become the scapegoat for.
so if we believe that something should be done, and if we want to avoid military aggression, then we need to find a way of making the rich uncomfortable, without denying life-necessities to the poor. if we refuse to trade with the people of zimbabwe we prolong their poverty, at the same time failing to empower those poor and starving citizens to speak up against their corrupt government.
i believe that we need to hit the luxuries. what if it were possible to deny all foreign art (hollywood films, music, german made cars, italian leather, watches, etc) to be traded. Probably, it would have to start small. A group of politically active, and thoughtful artists begins a movement, and eventually some bono figure picks up the cause and runs with it.
but what if? what if we could impose artistic sanctions on foreign countries. this form of sanction would, arguably, leave the poor unaffected while denying the rich the enjoyment of their ill-earned riches. discomfort is key. what’s the point of being rich if your money can’t set you apart from the poor. i know, i know, there is way more at work here, we are talking about the greed for power, not just money.
would it work? i have no idea. but it’s an idea.
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I've been wondering about the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI think some of those who lobby for economic sanctions are looking at cutting the governments resources, particularly for weapons. This is the case with Darfur and international pressure being placed on Egypt, Russia and China (countries currently involved in arms deals with Sudan).
Also, we need to consider how American and Canadian companies are investing in dictatorships or conflict - did you hear about a boat that was recently found carrying white phospohorus (deadly) from the US to Israel.
I like the idea of making the rich uncomfortable while still empowering the poor to rise up against corrupt governments. I like even more the idea of making art available to the poor. Wouldn't you say artistic expression is essential to our human nature, and our ability to protest corruption?
ashley, i really like your comment.
ReplyDeletefirst off, i know that 'artistic sanctions' are not the right fit for every corrupt government, and i'll be the first one to admit how ill informed i am about most of these issues.
here's my thought about your last point.i agree that art is an important element for the poor. i particularly think that it is vital for a successful revolution. however, i think that until we find a way to encourage the economy of a country such as zimbabwe, the people will be incapable of looking beyond what they are going to eat today and towards artistic expression.
also, i think that an artistic sanction would have one further positive element. ideally, it should encourage the people of zimbabwe (for example) to create their own art. it is their local artistic expression which should lead them, not ours.