Discussion
Project
Dinner with
the King
First brainstorm
and then try to agree on answers to the following:
1)
Suppose you are visiting a country ruled by a king who does not allow his
subjects much freedom: no civil liberties like freedom of speech and freedom of
the press, no political liberties like freedom to organize new political
parties and to vote and run for office, and economic liberty is limited by the
need to get the regime's permission to start new businesses, permission which
is denied to those who threaten the financial interests of the king and his
cronies. However, the king’s government does provide 'law and order' and a
reasonably efficient administration (so that the economy is growing, and both
local business people and foreign investors are reasonably happy with his
regime). Suppose he invited you to dine
with him and, as you were relaxing after a very nice meal, he said: "You Americans are always talking about
freedom. But my people are very happy
as they are. They do as they are told,
and I take good care of them. Why
should I burden them with freedom?"
What could you say to try to convince him?
2)
Again, you're dining with the king, but this time the conversation takes a
different turn and he says: "It's
true that my people are unhappy with the restrictions and authorities that are
traditional in our country. They have
been corrupted by your American TV shows.
They are always demanding what they call their 'rights'. They imagine
they will be better off if they can elect their leader. But why should I give in? The strong are born to rule and the weak to
be ruled. So it has always been. To upset this hierarchy would risk disorder
and disaster. Why should I give up the
power that our tradition has bestowed on me and allow ignorant and
short-sighted peasants to rule? How
might you reply?
Note: For purposes of this exercise, assume that
this king is not so selfish or unreasonable that you need to appeal only to his
fear and greed in your arguments. Assume
that he has some genuine interest in the good of his people and his country,
but that he is not initially inclined to agree that more freedom and democracy
will make things better.