Do all countries enjoy the same status?
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26202)
Singapore
May 28, 2018 8:43am CST
We are from different countries though we share the one planet. What happens in one place, country, affects others in our interconnected world. People cross borders in a jiffy and also emigrate from one country to another. The world is the oyster for the rich and the talented.
There are major countries and also minor ones who are forced to kowtow to others for survival. The latter get arm-twisted due to big power politics. That means some are second class, to put it bluntly. They end up as also-rans, anxious to please the powerful. They face ultimatums like “either you are with us, or against us”.
When we swear by democracy and freedom, we should also treat all countries as equal to the extent possible rather than take them for granted. It is more of unilateralism and some are used as pawns in big power rivalry and forced to take sides. And internal politics play a part too, sort of unintentional fallout from the political rivalry.
Of course, we have the forgotten United Nations that is in deep slumber. After each World War, there is a reality check but it is soon back to square one.
Bullying is alive and well at all levels. After all, our leaders are also human!
Do you think this is an issue that affects your country?
Image: Bullying - from Wikimedia Commons
8 people like this
8 responses
@DianneN (246838)
• United States
30 May 18
@Shiva49 I'm afraid they will never learn from their mistakes, but at least the US has tried to keep peace in the world with their allies and help countries who couldn't fend for themselves. I'm excluding our President when I say this. A bigger jerk never lived.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
30 May 18
@DianneN The US was looked up to as a role model of democracy and freedom. However, I find now they also dictate others what to do. It would serve everyone well if the arms race across the world is curbed to nip the proliferation of weapons in the bud. For that, we need the cooperation of major countries.
If each superpower operates to further their own interests, then the world will be in turmoil. Then internal politics of each country also varies according to whoever is in power. Even the relationship between the US and Europe is different now.
Let us sow the seeds of stability with the right approach like within a family. It cannot be one decides and others have to abide. Then democracy and freedom are non-existent. Then why fight for them across the borders when it is deemed even countries can be forced to toe the line? siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
29 May 18
There is no free will among the rest.
The big powers have to show the way, behave.
Now it is more of "these are mine, you can have the rest".
And there are countries where the big three make merry at the cost of those who live there.
We repeat mistakes that led to World Wars - siva
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
28 May 18
In order to enjoy the Big Brother status US always interfered with other nations. What I now notice that does not seem to be top priority. Are you with me on this?
Now China is trying to take that position.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
29 May 18
@Shiva49 Supplying arms is business and as you know business comes first regardless of what havoc that may create. Everyone is busy in topping up their arms supplies either make them or import them.
What for? 
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
28 May 18
It is a fact not only the US, but Russia too goes on a bombing spree unilaterally, ignoring the UN.
Now countries in South East Asia find themselves squeezed by "outsiders"
The sphere of influence of big powers reaches everywhere.
I think it is sort of a modern-day slavery and subjugation of smaller countries.
It is time the big powers set an example before talking down to others.
They should start reducing nuclear weapons on their home turf and also ban international arms supplies that sow the seeds of conflicts - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
29 May 18
@allknowing It is an irony that the 99% are used as tools and also fooled by the 1%.
Poor countries have their neighbors as enemies and buy arms from the rich to fight each other!
Where are freedom and democracy then that some swear by to interfere in other countries and cultures?
Where there are ego and greed, there is no god.
Our world is ruled by hypocrisy and inconvenient truths are swept under the carpet - siva
2 people like this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
28 May 18
I live in England and in 2003 our prime minister was happy to invade Iraq. In World War II we were fighting with Hitler. He was being severely horrible to Jewish people in mainland Europe. I remember we had a war with Argentina about the Falkland Islands when I was a child.
We are an island joined to France by the Channel Tunnel. Trains go from London to Paris, Brussels and Disneyland Paris. We are going into leaving the EU in 2019. This is rather worrying. I love to travel to different countries in the world. I like to get on well with foreign people. I begin this by respecting their customs.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
28 May 18
We should sow the right seeds to reap what we want - peace and coexistence.
I feel it is more of a show off now "might is right".
We have The United Nations which is an intergovernmental organization tasked to promote international cooperation and to create and maintain international order. Why are the big powers ignoring it? It is like they are above the rule of law.
Now it is a three-way flexing of powers by the US, Russia and China with others getting caught in between.
I feel they need to work on fairness to get our world in order - siva
1 person likes this
@suni51 (3429)
• India
28 May 18
I think different countries enjoy different status based on their resources. We could have done better but we have to look down for the nature of our politicians' bad behavior. We do not stand as one country but divided in groups of caste religions and based on our political affiliation.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
28 May 18
All have similar faultlines but when it comes to dealings at international level, big countries flex their muscles and more intent on unilateralism. It is more of take it or leave it and forcing others to fall in line.
That few countries are allowed to keep nuclear weapons is a case in point; we should try to work towards fairness - siva
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
28 May 18
Yes, bullying is very much rampant here as people have that crab mentality attitude. If someone is way better, they will do everything to destroy that person and that is where bullying starts. Rooted in envy and jealousy. Not good.
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
28 May 18
@Shiva49 Definitely. I just do not like the fact that we have to always understand why they are doing that to us. Making a fool of us. 
2 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
2 Jun 18
Politics affect ( mostly negative ) the entire world we live in .. The leaders play games and we are the pawns ..
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
2 Jun 18
@Shiva49 yes very sad world we live in..
1 person likes this
@innertalks (21026)
• Australia
29 May 18
Poetry: The importance of status is not an afflatus
The status of a man is almost static,
when he rides his life on automatic.
People see him as being the same old Joe,
his ideas are not on anyone else bestowed.
The status quo doesn’t cut the ice,
but overthrowing it produces more mice.
How can equality raise its head then,
when it’s challenged by those who take it?
Love brings everyone to itself as itself.
Only then is real wealth obtained off from God’s shelf.
The emptiness of today’s World leaders is indeed,
simply because they have forsaken love for greed.
Photo Credit:
The photo used here was freely sourced from the free media site: pixabay.com.
The alligator with more bite usually has a bigger status in this old World. Only love doesn't bite.
@innertalks (21026)
• Australia
29 May 18
@Shiva49 Of course, we cannot force any leader to act from love though.
Love itself never makes any judgements, nor is it critical of anyone. Love loves all, and lets all be themselves, finding their own way, either in their own darkness, or by staying in love's light.
We can't force anyone to leave darkness and move to light. It is their freedom to choose for themselves when and if they ever want to do this, but then it is the responsibility of those living in the light to put across their own viewpoint to make sure that the darkness does not spread through force of control, in the darkness becoming too dark, and trying to blot out the light, but which it can never do, but appears to do at times.
It, whatever the darkness does, is all done with mirrors, and the love always shines behind every such smokescreen too.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
30 May 18
@innertalks We do hope that love will triumph in the end though we may not be here physically but may see the end game vicariously! It is only fair that we are a witness from start to finish!
We need to get our act together but we end up "cutting off the nose to spite the face" due to internecine issues within the good and playing into the hands of those who spread the darkness. So we end up the good under the thumb of not so good to put it politely! siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
29 May 18
Thanks, Steve, love is forgotten when ego and greed come to the fore.
Our leaders are led by the impression others have to lose for them to win.
It is always "I" for them and not the inclusive "we".
When they try to score points by putting down others, peace will be transient.
Love will ensure all will be winners but our leaders think it makes them look weak - siva
1 person likes this
