OPINION:
Our president is unique in many ways, most of which are unflattering. However, he has one very frightening similarity with many of the other world leaders: A hyper-emphasis on besting his counterparts. This trait has created a global culture where success is measured not by whether we are being the best humans we can be, but rather whether we are doing better than other nations. This system of measurement would work if the leading nation were a perfect utopia, but I think we can all agree that type of country doesn’t exist in this world.
The problems that result from this method of “progress” are easy to theorize, but are also materializing currently. A perfect example comes in the form of President Trump’s recent sanctions on China, stoking fears of a potentially devastating global trade war. These economic punishments are a result of some legitimate issues, but instead of working together to solve the underlying problems each country seems content acting in ways that only amplify the symptoms.
If the nations of the world collectively view prosperity as a zero-sum game, the amount of meaningful progress the world can experience is handicapped. As a result, the significant social issues facing today’s world, such as global poverty and climate damage, fall by the wayside. If we, as citizens of the world, can find a new way to benchmark and measure success, we can start making real progress.
ADAM CORWIN
Potomac
Please read our comment policy before commenting.