Flood of Immigrants - Are countries like the USA a victim of their own 'success'?
The reasons of the success of societies like the USA that have become so attractive to large number of legal and illegal migrants have to do with a certain mindset and culture that built them up that way over a long period of time. I am not talking about 'material' successes or money alone. I believe the strongest pull to such societies for immigrants is due to a small set of critical intangibles. It is because of these 'intangibles' that the societies have managed to remain both materially prosperous AND emotionally or intellectually attractive. Many wealthy countries in the world are NOT sought-after destinations. Many immigrants often can be materially wealthier or have more comforts and control over others in their own, yet would willingly uproot to migrate and settle down in their new homelands - often for a 'better future' for their next generation. Despite not being accepted with open arms or as 'equals' right off the boat, even over generations, there is a strong, compelling drive to seek something that is not spoken about too much. It is like the elephant in the room that only some are consciously aware of or speak of or even acknowledge.
I think it has to do with somethings very common, in civil life and that cost nothing, but their absence can be very costly to any society!
- A culture of standing in lines, patiently
- A culture of organizing things properly, logically
- A basic level of fairness and equality for all in civic interactions
- Citizens abiding and enforcement of laws to a high degree
- Honesty, fairness and tolerance in most day-to-day interactions
- Respect for ALL work and workers' dignity
- A well thought-out process to deal with almost all foreseeable situations in a calm and rational manner
- Some minimum measure of freedom of expression of one's views without fearing terrible consequences
These qualities are secular (not religion specific) and ideology neutral. They can exist in democracies, autocracies, dictatorships, monarchies, socialist or capitalist or communist societies.
These show up as clean organized streets, traffic, civic amenities. They show up as predictable, supplies of decent water, electricity and food. These show up as low crime rates and violence. The only way these are sustained over a long period of time is due to a very strong commitment to these from people in power and a strong local culture that does not tolerate anyone causing it to deteriorate. Once that starts to happen, the society is doomed in the long or not-so-long run. Any society needs people who will firmly and decisively act in face of threats to these 'intangibles'. Any newcomer's culture or tradition has to fit in with these critical intangibles before they are accepted and perhaps even elements of their original culture is accepted as an 'enrichment' of the native culture.
These features can co-exist predominantly even among a lot of other 'terrible' issues like racism, bigotry, hate and institutionalized discrimination, even among apartheid.
No matter what other failings (moral or otherwise) the countries like the USA, Canada, Australia or countries in Europe might have, it is the predominant culture in the people living there for the past couple hundred of years that has built them up the way they are. They have become attractive destinations to people whose own original cultures have been destroyed - often by people and policies of the very countries who become the desirable destinations. Often, more than by outright colonization or looting, societies have been destroyed by undermining or destroying these very crucial intangible values in a society. We can see countless examples to illustrate this point. Note the recovery of Japan or Germany or Korea or Singapore.
It is perhaps ironic, but perfectly logical. There is a great wisdom in a few of these sayings
"A thief knows best how to keep things safe"
"A mischief maker knows best how to spot and foil mischief towards himself"
A modern version might be
"A hacker knows best how to protect his computer"
The path to a better future is making more countries and societies tolerable enough that most people will want not be driven to crazy lengths to emigrate. In my opinion, most people will want to remain and will remain where they are if the small set of 'intangibles' are strong enough in their own home. Some will always want to wander the world, but it will be pleasant and stress-free for both themselves and their new homes.'
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2017
All rights reserved
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