Script for Talk Show: Talking Points - Essay Example

SCRIPT FOR TALK SHOW Host: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to yet another episode of TALKING POINTS. Our topic this afternoon is one of paramount importance. It should not be relegated to the dustbin of history, but should rather be explored, examined and learned from. We have two panelists today, who will provide us with different perspectives on Imperialism from the period of 1800-1914. First, we have our guest from Britain, one of the leading scholars of the United Kingdom: Prof. Denise Vaughn. Prof. Vaughn has written several books on colonization and imperialism, including one hot off the presses, "Expansion and Subjugation". Professor, we are truly honored to have you as our guest. Thank you for making the time to visit. Denise: Thank you. It is my pleasure to be here today and to join you as we discuss this very important topic. Host: Our second guest is Dr. Hassad Taufiq, a Muslim scholar who is an expert on Islamic history and global politics. Recognized globally for his pioneering efforts in promoting peace and ecumenism, Dr. Hassad's reputation truly is untarnished. Good afternoon, Doctor. Hassad: Good afternoon. Thank you for your generous words. I am happy to at last meet the famous Prof. Vaughn, whose works I have read with much fascination. Denise: The doctor is too kind. Host: The question that we will resolve this afternoon is whether imperialism is an issue of economics or an issue of intolerance and racial supremacy. That is certainly a painful time in our history and for better or worse, has helped chart our collective destiny as a race. First of all, I would like to ask the two of you: what are your concepts of imperialism Hassad: Well, imperialism is one dominant state exercising power over a weaker state, with no other motive but to forward its own agenda and make the weaker state subservient. It is only motivated by selfish intentions. Host: What about you, Denise Denise: It's really not as simple as that. Imperialism can take on more subtle forms. There can even be imperialism in trade, as when a superpower takes advantage of its economic clout to make a third world country agree to its onerous demands. Similarly, it is so easy to couch imperialism in words like democracy and order. Host: Historically, what do you think are the roots of imperialism Denise: There is a great deal of economics involved, the need to accumulate wealth. Towards the end of the 1800's, Britain felt that America was slowly catching up and was becoming the new economic superpower. Threatened by these developments and wanting to protect valuable market share, Britain embarked on a strategy: imperialism. Host: How exactly did they go about that Denise: Well, they gained colonies for economic benefit and to increase their military might. They provided Britain with new markets and resources. Soon, the other developed countries like France, Germany and the United States followed suit. Host: What continents or areas where particularly impacted by this Denise: Oh, definitely, Africa. The continent was too weak at the time to defeat the European Army and the Africans were easily suppressed. When Henry Stanley claimed the Congo River Valley for Belgium, it started the greedy scramble for pieces of this fertile land. For instance, France got Tunisia and Morocco and Italy took Libya. It was all about money and profit and gaining strategic strength. Host: Do you agree, Doctor Hassad: Well, I agree that economics played a major part, but if we are to focus on economics alone, then I'm afraid that it does not reflect the entire breadth of the problem. It is inaccurate to limit it merely to that. Host: Why do you say that Hassad: I think that at the heart of it really is the propensity of human beings to think of other human beings that they perceive to be lower than them in stature as tools. Host: How insightful and provocative. Could you please expound further Hassad: Let me put it this way - the objectives were not only limited to acquiring resources. Captured people were no different from cows or horses. They could also be "consumed" like cows and horses; the Mayan civilization for example quenched the thirst of their gods with the blood of slaves. The slaves were simply organic tools fed just like cows or horses in order to create more tools or goods. You simply have to break them like horses. A shovel is to a slave as what the plough is to a carabao. However, there was no need to tie a rope around the slaves' noses, like cows, to direct their activities. The whip always helps. Slaves can follow simple verbal instruction through coercive compulsion. Denise: That is quite an interesting observation. In fact, not only in Africa is that apparent, but also in Asia. For example, the 300-year colonization of the Philippines, which ended in 1898. During that period of time, Filipinos were made virtual slaves by the Spaniards. However, a different method of subjugation was employed: Religion. Catholicism was used to make the Filipinos submit. The threat of eternal damnation. Host: Now that you mention Asia, it is also necessary to talk about India, which is located in South Asia. India was called "The Jewel in the Crown" by Britain because of the spices and raw materials that were made available to the latter. What can you say about that Denise: The Indian experience proves that military expansionism is also an important factor behind imperialism. Colonies were taken in to create naval bases. Britain controlled Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Southern Solomons. Germany controlled the Northern Solomons, France controlled Tahiti. Host: Of course, we cannot leave out the Middle East. There is perhaps no example more glaring than the Middle East to demonstrate how imperialism is also about racial prejudice. Hassad: The perceived wide chasm between Islam and the West is often used as justification for subjugating my proud people. Denise: I agree with that observation. The United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands expanded their territories by annexing many parts of the Middle East. The Ottoman Empire figured greatly and had much impact on the imperialist efforts. Hassad: Well, Denise, it's not only that. There seems to be a Western perception that believes that the Arab people are primitive beings who need to be tamed as part of the "white man's burden." Admittedly, during the 1800's, the growth of the Islamic Law of Nations was accomplished primarily by rules derived from the traditional concept of the division of the world in two segments: Dar al Harb and Dar al Selm, meaning respectively "the land of war" and "the land of peace". Host: Yes, I do recall a little of that. The distinction rested upon the fact that the land of peace was the land of Islam and the land of war was that of those who ere opposed to Islam and with whom Islam had no treaty. Hassad: Correct. Not all non-Muslim territories were lands of war, but only those with which no treaty existed. The moving factor in the foreign relations of the Islamic state was the concept of Jihad, which was primarily, at that time, a concept of Holy War. Host: Whew, this has been quite a discussion. Very rich and informative, indeed. Perhaps, the last question should be asked: has the world learned any lessons Denise: I believe so. I think the world has come far in ensuring human rights for all. International laws and conventions are in place now that did not exist before. Hassad: I disagree. Recent history has demonstrated that Western culture and governance is still susceptible to violence and retribution and imperialism. The War on Terror of the present Bush administration, the cavalier attitude with which due process is treated particularly where "terrorists" are concerned and the U.S. v. Them complex so pervasive in right wing discourse lend credence to the idea that the Western world has not really evolved. Host: (turning to audience) What about you WHAT DO YOU THINK Read More