Rosenblum notes on p. 245 of the paperback edition: "The only way to keep them [the space-residing humans, who are phenotypically different even though they are genetically the same] safe is to be separate. A nation with the power to protect its own." Hence, sovereignty protects difference, in this way of thinking about things. Do you agree?
I do agree with Rosenblum's statement. We can see throughout history where people have invaded and removed sovereignty and people have suffered. We can also see through our lives how we allow powerful sovereign nations have protected their culture. However, we need to recognize that power in a state is what protects its sovereignty, which in turn protects its difference.
If a state cannot protect its sovereignty, it cannot protect its difference. It has been seen in indigenous populations throughout history. We took away their sovereignty, and their difference fell apart. We gave it back, and the culture came back and is now recognized and studied. Sovereignty is crucial to difference.
I agree with what you said for the most part. I would say that sovereignty can't completely protect peoples differences. We can blame globalization for that. I'm not saying globalization is a bad thing all though it usually leaves some negatives in its wake. Look at countries today. All of our differences and cultures are coming together through trade.
ReplyDeleteThe statement you make is fairly interesting: If a state cannot protect its sovereignty, it cannot protect its difference.
ReplyDeleteCould the reverse be said, "If a state cannot protect its difference, it cannot be sovereign" ?
I would have argue against you. A country doesn't not have to protect its difference in order to preserve its sovereignty. It would be ideal to be seen as a strong country with a multicultural population, but a country will always single out a minority and blame "difference" for any problems that may be found in the country. For instance, in Spain, there is a tremendous worry that the high levels of difference (so many Latin American nationalities in Spain) could possibly bring down the economy of the country. Spain is actually looking to remove its difference in order to maintain its sovereignty. Despite this only being one example, its been a continuous pattern throughout history.