Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions.
I like this way of considering politics because as we all know, any time a decision is to be made, whether at home, in the office, in our places of worship or of course, in our national/social relations, some form of politics (based on power) is involved.
Sometimes when people think of politics they think of elections, forms of government, and national leaders. For me, politics is much broader and everybody, whether intentionally or not, plays a role in that process.
This is the year that Indonesians will elect a new president. It's a big thing here in the relatively new (70-something year old) democracy and based on what I've seen, while the context is different, the story is the same.
The choices, without going into too much detail, seem familiar; conservative/progressive, right wing/left wing, old guard/new breed - who will it be?
Beyond those common terms, there is a bigger issue and it is not confined to any one place, but in a very basic way of thinking. (more on that later)
Today I realized that our decisions, no matter where we are, are always based on more than a person, party, or process, but on our individual world views; how we see the world. Is it a scary place? Is it a beautiful place? Are we, as individuals, full of fear for ourselves and others, or full of love and compassion, as scary as that, too, often is?
My cousin and I were having a meaningful chat the other day and I mentioned to her my dislike for the word "expatriate". I do not like being considered as such, to which she responded "well, cuz, you most certainly are one now". I thought really? Yeah, I don't think so, but I couldn't figure out why.
Now I know.
Usually when we use the prefix "ex", it implies that we have broken from the following word, so in addition to its meaning that such a person no longer lives in the country of origin, to be an expatriate implies that we no longer support or associate with our country of origin. Here's the Miriam Webster definition...
I don't like that because while the meaning may be accurate, the implication is just not true. Most certainly in my case, but I'm sure for others, as well.
What then, is an appropriate term for a person who no longer lives in their country of origin, but who still loves it, supports it, and specifically, believes in an idealistic concept of democracy?
Global citizen? World Citizen?
By choosing to replace the term "expatriate" (which for me sound terribly negative) with a different term (which sounds vague, to me, and possibly scary to many!) isn't as much about meaning or implication as it is about perspective.
A friend of mine converted religions long before I knew him. In describing that metamorphosis, he said it wasn't about leaving one as much as it was about "expanding into the other" - not leaving who you were behind, but growing bigger to encompass new ideas, new perspectives, and sometimes, new beliefs. So maybe a better term for "expatriate" is "expander"; one who expands.
Now back to perspective. In the words we choose to use, as well as the information we use to make decisions, it seems to me, as absolutist as it may be, that people primarily begin at one of two places; a place of love, hope and faith or a foundation based on fear, exclusion, and protection.
In this election year, it's obvious that those two choices are forcing people to evaluate how they make their decisions. The choices are in stark contrast to each other.Will they choose a candidate based on their hopes, their inspirations for a better future for all citizens? A new, empowered life? Or will they choose the seemingly tried and true, comfortable shoe because they're scared that the new pair might be uncomfortable and can't be broken in?
Democracy requires an educated populace and a desire, I would say, for freedom. Freedom to innovate, Freedom to "be". And the freedom to choose our leaders.
My point is that all decisions are processes of politics that are based on a set of perspectives and beliefs.
Very often, the end result isn't as important as how the place from which we're speaking when we make important decisions impacts our very lives; in our homes, in our work, in our communities, societies, and countries.
A friend of mine converted religions long before I knew him. In describing that metamorphosis, he said it wasn't about leaving one as much as it was about "expanding into the other" - not leaving who you were behind, but growing bigger to encompass new ideas, new perspectives, and sometimes, new beliefs. So maybe a better term for "expatriate" is "expander"; one who expands.
Now back to perspective. In the words we choose to use, as well as the information we use to make decisions, it seems to me, as absolutist as it may be, that people primarily begin at one of two places; a place of love, hope and faith or a foundation based on fear, exclusion, and protection.
In this election year, it's obvious that those two choices are forcing people to evaluate how they make their decisions. The choices are in stark contrast to each other.Will they choose a candidate based on their hopes, their inspirations for a better future for all citizens? A new, empowered life? Or will they choose the seemingly tried and true, comfortable shoe because they're scared that the new pair might be uncomfortable and can't be broken in?
Democracy requires an educated populace and a desire, I would say, for freedom. Freedom to innovate, Freedom to "be". And the freedom to choose our leaders.
My point is that all decisions are processes of politics that are based on a set of perspectives and beliefs.
Very often, the end result isn't as important as how the place from which we're speaking when we make important decisions impacts our very lives; in our homes, in our work, in our communities, societies, and countries.
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