Saturday, December 5, 2009
Discussion # 9
Stewart has a very solid grasp of understanding neocolonists, both in the past and present time periods. He explains that though the colonial administration from the thirteenth century was racist and exploitative, they actually worked and fulfilled their obligations and duties, especially to the people. Some of their entitlements included recruitment, establishing effective departments of state, balancing the local budget, training a local elite, etc. On the other hand, present-day neocolonists only make what Stewart refers to as "a charming illusion of action," seeing as they do not interact with Afghans in the way the colonials did in the past. Policymakers today disregard Afghans, and know little about them, with no regard to learn or understand. It is heartbreaking that because of their lack of effort, Afghans continue to suffer under repressive policies, made by those who do not care about the negative effects it leaves on the people of Afghanistan. As Stewart quoted, "few care about policy failure when the effects are only felt in Afghanistan."
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I wonder what will happen to all the work that Rory's NGO has gotten done if the Taliban decides to strike there. It is an arts community and aren't the Taliban against Arts. I don't think that the US strategy is the same as Rory Stewart's strategy. Unfortunately the leaders in the country are corrupt and motivated by greed and power not turning their own country around. Are our troops going there to protect the poor people of Afghanistan while infrastructure is being built again? Who is building it? I realize that our country is between a rock and a hard place in figuring out what to do, but going bankrupt by pouring all this money on top of money we have already spent is what is happening to the US. That is just what the insurgents want to happen. With Obama at the helm, we are well on our way. Then who will help us?
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