A Close World Apart

 “So you see my point is,” Roberto was saying, “people in different countries take interest in knowing about other countries that are more developed than theirs. And by developed lets be clear, I mean technologically more advanced… so don’t give me any grief on what I mean by developed. That is why the average Indian and Brazilian knows about the U.S, England, and Japan but knows little about Albania and Zimbabwe. So if you extend this theory of mine, guess who is at the top of the heap…who’s the greatest of them all?  So you see why the average Joe Shmoe in America can afford not to know of any other country until someone else gets on top of the heap. I am not saying it’s a great thing, but only that it’s a natural phenomenon that can be observed pretty much with every country and it’s not something unique to the people of the United States. It’s the same thing why people want to know more about people ahead of them in a class…not who’s behind them.” “There is only one flaw in your afford-to-be-ignorant theory,” interjected Anu taking a sip of beer from her plastic cup. “What’s that?” asked Roberto. “Well, if citizens can afford to be ignorant of foreign affairs because they, or rather I should say their country, is higher on the heap, then who watches what the politicians and the government of the country does in terms of foreign policy? Or to put it simply how does the citizen know what his or her government is doing in other countries.  Think of it this way, Roberto, people know domestic issues and that is why politicians are careful in what they do locally because come election time they need to come and beg for votes. They know they are being watched and therefore being held accountable. But if they know they are not being watched in foreign policy, there’s a good chance they will not be so scrupulous. So in order for the country to set good foreign policy, one that is consistent with the conscience its citizens, the citizens should know what’s going on in other countries and what their own country is doing in these countries. For the average American Joe Shmoe you mentioned, knowing to locate where England or Brazil or even Zimbabwe on a map would be a good start.” Roberto leaned back against his chair and ran his fingers through his hair.