Mind, I agree with most of what you say, but it's one thing to criticise your own country, and another to have someone else do it.
As for the "might is right" issue, there is no easy answer, and maybe there isn't one at all.
Ultimately, power is a universal principle, and if not physical power, than some other level of power: psychological, spiritual, whatever.
I'm no snowflake pacifist - I've spent over 10 years (3 of them in Japan) training in Aikido, which embodies a philosophy of peacefulness in self-defence. I've not ever been in a real physical fight, but I did work for 5 years in the correctional system in this country, as a psychologist, and found that the principle of "extending ki" served me well, in de-escalating conflict situations.
Internationally, it used to be understood that diplomacy was an important part of resolving conflict. But unfortunately we have no statesmen in the West anymore, and the art of diplomacy and conflict resolution seem to be forgotten these days.
Apology accepted!
Mind, I agree with most of what you say, but it's one thing to criticise your own country, and another to have someone else do it.
As for the "might is right" issue, there is no easy answer, and maybe there isn't one at all.
Ultimately, power is a universal principle, and if not physical power, than some other level of power: psychological, spiritual, whatever.
I'm no snowflake pacifist - I've spent over 10 years (3 of them in Japan) training in Aikido, which embodies a philosophy of peacefulness in self-defence. I've not ever been in a real physical fight, but I did work for 5 years in the correctional system in this country, as a psychologist, and found that the principle of "extending ki" served me well, in de-escalating conflict situations.
Internationally, it used to be understood that diplomacy was an important part of resolving conflict. But unfortunately we have no statesmen in the West anymore, and the art of diplomacy and conflict resolution seem to be forgotten these days.