Archive for Globalization
October 10, 2006 at 9:35 am
· Filed under Globalization, Social Issues
In order to increase access/make a variety of basic amenities (water, health, etc.) cheaper for the poor, is it okay to charge a certain segment of the “rich” a higher price for the same good (i.e. there is no difference in quality) such that cost is covered?
Or independent of how much one earns, should all be charged one flat fee?
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October 4, 2006 at 8:22 am
· Filed under Globalization, Social Issues
At which point should a human being just “suck-it-up” and deal with what is thrown one’s way?
How much is too much care? At which point does care just become pampering?
Article of Relevance:
Different Planets
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July 8, 2006 at 7:29 am
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim
Are people inherently corrupt, in that it is built into one’s culture? Or are people corrupt depending on alternative incentives offered?
Articles of relevance:
The Case of the Unpaid Parking Ticket
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June 7, 2006 at 6:41 am
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim, Relationships, Social Issues
Are there certain rights that should be accorded to all human beings? Should we enforce upon others rights that we think they should have?
How does one draw the line between educating others about rights, about values, and imposing upon others what we think is the right approach to life, the right way to look at issues and ideas?
Articles of relevance:
U.S. Values Push Alienates Muslim Women
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May 29, 2006 at 9:26 am
· Filed under Globalization, Social Issues
At what point should the role of different government departments differ from the role of a civil society organization? If both exist for the same purpose, with the same mission, should one be merged with the other? Given that no government anywhere is perfect in terms of what it can achieve, how much should it outsource to private citizens' groups?
Should citizens have direct access to information that may threaten their lives? Especially if the government is not equipped to handle the information?
Articles of relevance:
Private Jihad: How Rita Katz got into the spying business.
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May 23, 2006 at 7:32 am
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim, Social Issues
What do you think is the biggest problem facing the world today?
How should you get people involved in addressing it, without allowing the problem to appear too overwhelming? How do we use our interconnectedness to act appropriately in addressing it?
As Muslims, how should we balance prioritizing the needs of our communities as smaller parts of the World, and the problems of the World as a whole? Are they mutually exclusive in terms of how we address them?
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May 12, 2006 at 2:43 pm
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim
When meeting with and visiting individuals of another culture, how does one balance being culturally sensitive while ensuring that one is not compromising one's own values? What ultimately takes precedence: respect of others' cultural norms, or one's own values?
Quotes of relevance:
"When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do."
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May 10, 2006 at 6:42 am
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim, Social Issues
It is important to not live in a bubble, and similarly, it is important to expose oneself to the realities of the world. This is especially so because, in exposing ourselves, we can perhaps be motivated to do something where we can help the less fortunate.
In doing so, should we pay to see the misfortune of others? From another perspective, is it right to expose the lives of others for economic gain? Even if either action helps improve their lives marginally?
For a tourist, what is next step after learning of another culture, another way of life, purely for the sake of learning and then actually working hard to addressing it, changing it properly?
Articles of relevance:
Slum Tours: A Day Trip too Far?
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May 4, 2006 at 10:58 am
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim
Identity, as a concept based on affliation with a nation-state, has only developed in the past few centuries. With individuals readily moving from continent to continent, country to country, how does one answer the question "Where are you from?"
On a related note, in this day and age, we are a combination of different identities based on religion, culture, nationality, politics, economics, linguistics and a variety of interests, to name a few. If we are asked, "Who are you?," which identity should we identify with the most, which identity should we name above others? And if we do identify with one over the other – "I am Muslim" – should we be looked at in absolutes? How much prominence should other identities of our selves be given?
And who gets to judge that?
Articles of relevance:
Is there a clash of civilizations? By Robert Kagan and Amartya Sen
What Clash of Civilizations? Why religions identity isn't destiny.
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April 17, 2006 at 9:56 am
· Filed under Globalization, Life as a Muslim, Relationships, Social Issues
Research increasingly shows that friendships and social networks – especially because of various online programs – are increasingly based on common interests, sometimes completely irrespective of where the individuals are geographically located.
What kind of impact does this have on relationships between individuals living in the same geographical region, but who have different interests? How does one balance the affinity one feels to individuals in another locality and similar interests with the responsibilities that one, especially as a Muslim, has to one's neighbors and community members, irrespective of their interests?
Articles and books of relevance:
Social Networking
Bowling Alone
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