Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (135579)	6/4/2004 9:40:12 AM
From: greenspirit	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I agree Maurice, these are normal human values, and most people seek to serve each other in one-way or another. Your example of business risk-taking for the betterment of mankind is an excellent example. What I think has separated America from so many other countries, is the way in which we've aligned that servant model, with free-market capitalism under the blanket of Christian ideals. Religion has played a more dominant role in expanding these values in America when compared to many parts of the world. I have a theory as to why... Religious freedom and the "urgency to change"... In many parts of Europe, the Catholic Church dominated for centuries. Very few other Christian religious institutions took root similar to America. Some sects were so oppressed, they risked it all and ventured across the sea in order to practice a new kind of Christianity. Other denominations took root, and a form of competition for customers took place. That competition toward the values of service spurred a greater desire in the culture to "walk the talk". In a similar way, organizations like the VFW, Knights of Columbus and many others competed. When the VFW began offering services, the Knight of Columbus responded with a similar service to keep their customers. Trust in this common value system, allowed Americans to build strong institutions, which supported fairness under the law, further codifying those values. People care in many places of the world, however, they tend to link that caring toward a government policy, or government giving, instead of starting a private charity, or private company in order to see their vision come true. We've seen some of that described on this thread, when people only measure government giving and neglect the thousands upon thousands of private groups, which serve others needs around the world. Our foreign policy differences with the rest of the world, are an outcrop of these value differences. Anyway, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it for now. :)