In human history, we have a tendency to use division to win. We highlight differences so that we can divide into "us" and "them". This division forces people to choose sides (hopefully, they choose "us") so that we can then harness the "us" to fight the "them".
For example, ancient China divides between "civilised China" and the "barbarians". For centuries and centuries, China continued to fight against the "barbarians", sometimes winning, sometimes losing. We even see this during the early 20th century, as Westerners are labeled as "foreign devils".
The U.S., of course, is no stranger to this. In its early days, every native American was an "Indian" to be afraid of, to fight for the land with. During the Cold War, countries were either with the U.S., or with the Soviets. (There were also Third World countries who sought to stay out of the Cold War by not aligning with either side.)
Today, we see this behaviour in U.S. politics, as Trump seeks to divide the nation into "us" and "them". On the international stage, he again divides between "us" and "them" by pursuing an "America First" policy that separates the U.S. from the rest of the world.
But is "divide to win" the only way? Or the best way?
Maybe I am idealistic, but I believe that we all have differences. And it is this diversity that makes the human race so resilient and strong. Instead of exploiting our differences so that we can win at the expense of others, should we not be trying to find common ground so that we can develop win-win solutions?
For example, ancient China divides between "civilised China" and the "barbarians". For centuries and centuries, China continued to fight against the "barbarians", sometimes winning, sometimes losing. We even see this during the early 20th century, as Westerners are labeled as "foreign devils".
The U.S., of course, is no stranger to this. In its early days, every native American was an "Indian" to be afraid of, to fight for the land with. During the Cold War, countries were either with the U.S., or with the Soviets. (There were also Third World countries who sought to stay out of the Cold War by not aligning with either side.)
Today, we see this behaviour in U.S. politics, as Trump seeks to divide the nation into "us" and "them". On the international stage, he again divides between "us" and "them" by pursuing an "America First" policy that separates the U.S. from the rest of the world.
But is "divide to win" the only way? Or the best way?
Maybe I am idealistic, but I believe that we all have differences. And it is this diversity that makes the human race so resilient and strong. Instead of exploiting our differences so that we can win at the expense of others, should we not be trying to find common ground so that we can develop win-win solutions?
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