the myth of ‘western rationality’

Balatarin
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the myth of ‘western rationality’
by Niloufar Parsi
22-Apr-2010
 

it is clear that there is a major ideological barrier to real dialogue between iran and the west. mistranslations are common, misunderstanding is encouraged, and it is easy to get the feeling that there is a strategy in place to ensure confusion and animosity instead of goodwill. i tend to see more of this mischief emanating from the west, but that is probably related to the fact that i live here, and it is easier to catch the lies on this side. iran is probably just as guilty.

but there is this one specific western myth that is definitely a big part of the problem: the myth of western ‘rationality’ that presupposes many positive qualities associated with the west and negative ones associated with the east, including iran.

in a different context and time, it would be called racism, but i expect that definition will come later. a bit like how the slave trade was first totally ‘justified’ by religious, racial and other myths, and then later described as ‘racist’. at some point, many westerners believed that their genes or skin colour gave them some sort of spiritual and/or intellectual superiority to other ‘races’, and enslaving people or taking over their countries was more like a favour, a civilizing effect. they sugar-coated this kind of racist self-deception with terminology such as ‘the white man’s burden’, and a host of other ideological justifications. the act of plunder was described as some kind of civilizing mission.

remnants of this kind of mind game remain today in the western discourse on iran. the ordinary american is more likely to see iran and iranians as ‘irrational’ beings who cannot be trusted with a nuclear bomb. but they are a little more subtle than that. knowing full well the racist connotations in openly labeling other countries and cultures as ‘irrational’, they apply further sugar coating by going one step removed and using a term like ‘dangerous’ instead.

if we look out for the terms ‘danger’, ‘threat’ and ‘risk’ in any report or speech on iran by israeli and western media and politicians, it becomes quite clear that the agenda is for the conflict situation to persist – particularly, in the minds of their own citizens. the politicians themselves are fully aware of realities on the ground.

what is this reality? well, we all have our own perceptions, but mine is this:

iran is and has been acting far more rationally than her enemies would like to admit. her priorities have included
-          protecting iran and the regime
-          challenging the power of israel – a proven regional warmonger - and building alliances in the region to contain israel and her allies and arming them in order to create a buffer zone for iran
-          working against american interventionism and warmongering in the region. building a global alliance against american imperialism
-          growing her influence in iraq once saddam’s regime was removed, and preparing the ground to take over as the biggest foreign sponsor once the americans leave iraq,
-          same as above for afghanistan only with less success
-          building up her own armaments industry,
-          finding ways to defeat or weaken sanctions,
-          building up political capital among muslim nations,

-          developing nuclear capability mainly within internationally allowed rules, but remaining vigilant of the iaea and other un agencies as they often behave like tools of american imperialism, and
-          adopting, and speaking from a position of strength rather than servitude

nothing about iran’s regional policy is particularly ‘irrational’. iran could have been more strategic and effective, and could have taken a more conciliatory path. all that may have been possible if one allows for the remote possibility that her foes would have reacted differently. but khatami perhaps proved the opposite.

in any case, while the iranian approach might have been better, it has not been irrational. on the contrary, iran’s military expenditure as a percentage of gdp and her overall tendency to war is far more humane and rational than that of the us or israel. iran’s military architecture is designed and built for defensive purposes. the us military is designed for offence, so much so that they could not respond effectively to a natural disaster such as hurricane katrina at home.

in other words, the us military structure is designed for plunder and loot in the name of ‘rationality’, ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’. take your pick.

truth is, we are all equally irrational!

Balatarin
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vildemose

AO: what does 'laying

by vildemose on Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:18 AM PDT

AO: what does 'laying claims' mean? Are we back at california gold rush claim jumpers striking gold??LOL


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Anonymous Observer

FB

by Anonymous Observer on Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:05 AM PDT

Wrong analogy.  "My friends" and I are Iranians.  We didn't "choose" to be one.  As such, and much to your chagrin, we will never let go of our "claim" to our homeland.  You and your "friends" on the other hand, have chosen to live in places that you claim to hate.  You, therefore, have a choice.  Just leave. :-))


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Fouzul Bashi

AO -

by Fouzul Bashi on Thu Apr 22, 2010 09:52 AM PDT

"anyone who does not like the "West" should immediately depart from said "West" and park him/herself in such anti-imperialist utopias as the IRI".  

By that logic, anyone who doesn't like the IR, should pack up and leave, or if has already left, should stay out of what he/she doesn't like, eh?  If Niloufar and myself left, on your instructions, would you and your friends keep off laying claims on Iran? 


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Shaban Jafari

East/West; what's the difference?

by Shaban Jafari on Thu Apr 22, 2010 09:03 AM PDT

...
I been to the east, I been to the west,
But the girls I like best are the ones undressed

....

As says Captain sensible [in ham madrakesh]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqC563bX_w


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Anonymous Observer

Agreed vildemose

by Anonymous Observer on Thu Apr 22, 2010 09:00 AM PDT

It's oil for IRI's propaganda machine.  


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vildemose

Dear AO: That 60's third

by vildemose on Thu Apr 22, 2010 08:57 AM PDT

Dear AO: That 60's third world fixation yields enormous dividends for the militant khomeinist regime in terms of keeping the Clergy INC. and their apologists employed and their livelihood intact.


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Anonymous Observer

Such Third World mentality

by Anonymous Observer on Thu Apr 22, 2010 09:08 AM PDT

East, West...these days Niloufar Jaan, they are only points on a compass...well, at least for most of us.

I always say that one of the biggest problems that faces Iran is the rather remarkable existence of such 1960's mentality.  It perpetuates the Third World bogeyman mindset that breeds dictatorships and oppressors as the IRI.  

Aside from that, I agree with my brother Samsam that anyone who does not like the "West" should immediately depart from said "West" and park him/herself in such anti-imperialist utopias as the IRI.  

Why do you live in that cesspool of western imperialism, the UK, again Niloufar Jaan? :-))

Please listen to this wonderful music-which I'm sure will bring back with it memories of good old times--while you ponder that question:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWIZ1XA8f2s&feature=player_embedded

 


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Cost-of-Progress

Hard to fathom

by Cost-of-Progress on Thu Apr 22, 2010 08:21 AM PDT

This from someone who claims she's anti-regime and that's why she lives in the west? Or do you?

Niloufar jon, at best, you are confused.

I really cannot understand women who support the theocracy's "illusion" on governance not to mention the repressive practices perpetrated on women.

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


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IRI

Right on target

by IRI on Thu Apr 22, 2010 07:27 AM PDT

This is right on the target. Niloufar you know the situation well.

Brother Joe, it's called LA TV syndrome :)
Joe, please write a blog about your trip to Iran. We would like to hear about your experiences.


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Joe L.

WHAT? lol

by Joe L. on Thu Apr 22, 2010 07:20 AM PDT

vildemose, lol. you are a funny girl (?). lol. thanks for the laugh.
Go write more without saying a thing. lol


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Fouzul Bashi

Brilliant!

by Fouzul Bashi on Thu Apr 22, 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Thank you Niloufar jan!


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vildemose

I will not respond to

by vildemose on Thu Apr 22, 2010 07:16 AM PDT

I will not respond to Islamists troll who use US flag as their Avatar.


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Joe L.

I hear that in Iran a lot

by Joe L. on Thu Apr 22, 2010 07:13 AM PDT

Iranian people are not stupid. They are rational people. people think assimilation is to adopt stupidity, and ask dumb questions for a good statement. And I love this one: if you don't like it why don't you leave. No, you leave idiot.
i agree with you. Iranians love chess and think about all the possibilities before making a move. if only our politician knew better.
and vildemose i mean no disrespect but you write a lot for saying nothing.

peace


  •  
Abarmard

Hi Niloufar

by Abarmard on Thu Apr 22, 2010 06:45 AM PDT

This piece is written with perfect logic. It takes a rational mind to recognize rational policy. You are correct to assume that dangerous has been substituted for irrational.

Very well put. Thank you for taking the time and explaining this important point. 


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vildemose

The real Myth is the

by vildemose on Thu Apr 22, 2010 06:45 AM PDT

The real Myth is the artificial concept/construct of "west" against "east". Who benefits from  making this arbitrary division between human beings on the same planet?? The real hateful racists among all human populations...


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SamSamIIII

On the same token

by SamSamIIII on Thu Apr 22, 2010 05:21 AM PDT

 

So, why would a person run away from a "rational" environment & take refuge and reside in an "irrational" environemnt as she claimes it to be?. Could we call such person "rational"?, No. Could we trust her decisions as "rational", No. Could we trust her advice on issues as "rational"?, No. What is this phenomena called?, Hypocracy of the "irrationals". Ahhh, this was so easy :), no challenge.

Path of Kiaan Resurrection of True Iran Hoisting Drafshe Kaviaan //iranianidentity.blogspot.com //www.youtube.com/user/samsamsia


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truthseeker

ONE RULE 4 ONE ONE RULE 4 EVRYONE ELSE

by truthseeker on Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:43 AM PDT

THE WEST SLAUGHTERED THIER WAY TO THE TOP AND THE TOP IS WHERE THEY WANT TO STAY. THEY DON'T WANT A SAY THEY WANT THE! SAY! IT'S EQUAL PLUS ONE ALL THE WAY! UNLESS THEY ARE MADE TO DO THE WHOLE TRUTH ON IRAQ THEY WILL ALWAY KEEP DOING THIS! UNLESS THE END TIMER PROPHCEY IS SMASMED DOWN BEYOND REPAIR THINGS WILL GET WORSTER FOR US ALL!


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