To conquer or convert a culture there are effectively two ways; one is by force by which you destroy all ideological symbols and imprison a society, the other is by means of persuasion by which you appeal to some need and establish a relationship where by you promote your ideology.
Considering that the Iraq war is costing the US hundreds of billions of dollars an alternative to invasion must be considered for any other nation that is part of the axis of evil. I propose that the US tax payer give away XBox game consoles to all who will take them in these rouge nations. Along with the game consoles are war games that depict some enemy who is defeated using the cooperation of the US. The games should be subtle with careful placement of western icons. In effect the games will condition a positive role of the US in the minds of the general population of the rouge nation. Considering how addictive these games are such an approach should produce an effective conversion of the targeted cultures.
If we take a nation like Iran with some 20 to 30 million in population at a price of $150.00 per game console and the production of 10 special games totaling 550 million dollars inclusive of burning of the CDs, packaging and shipping the total would amount to 4 billion to 5 billion dollars. A huge savings over the 300 + billion dollars its costing the US in Iraq currently.
The people of Iraq are not ready to rule themselves.They have lived under tyrany and fear for so long that they don't know anything else. I say that a benign dictatorship should be set up until they are ready for freedom. Yes there is such a thing as a benign dictatorship!
The problem isn't that they have been ruled by a dictator. The problem is that they are ruled by a society that demands that you either conform or die. It just so happens that that society was led by a dictator.
Frank is right
Quote:
To conquer or convert a culture there are effectively two ways; one is by force by which you destroy all ideological symbols and imprison a society, the other is by means of persuasion by which you appeal to some need and establish a relationship where by you promote your ideology.
History taught us that the Hebrews were taken by force and exiled to Babylon where they remained in captivity after Jerusalem had been destroyed for 70 years. This didn't destroy their civilization because some, if not many of the captives maintained their beliefs (and if you believe the book of Daniel were justified numerous times for doing so.) However, the Pharisees slowly adjusted their culture by slowly changing the ideology of the society through readjustments to the law and doctrine.
In much the same way, I believe Muhammed would be wholely horrified by the actions of so many in Islam, and by the idea of a jihad. But again these things came about through slow change to his ideals. We call them radicals, but in 50 years they will be looked upon as conservative if we are all still hear in 50 years.
Still not convinced, read more about American history. At one time the democrats were considered conservative and Republicans liberal.
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