台灣富人與外國窮人

My Comment:

This is a truely "anti-Modernization Theory". In studying the social
stratification among all countries in the world, some Modernization
theoriests argue that people in the developing countries are poor
because their society hasn't been penetrated by the western norms and
values enough. Basically they're saying that Capitalism is the way to
go. Looking at Taiwan, we've been westernized too deeply, and what did
we get in return? We have to rely on the United States for everything,
ranging from markets to even sovereignty. Capitalists may argue that
high GDP brings high standard of living. Is that really so?

I'd consider Taiwan really lucky. For our special geopolitical
location, we're a strategical gem to the United States in fighting
Communism (or Socialism some might say). We didn't suffer from
de-industrialization (i.e. the Textile industry in India was totally
destoryed by the British during Industrialization). In fact, we
received tonnes of foreign aids from the States (many of our parents or
grandparents 吃美國奶粉長大 or 穿奶粉袋縫成的衣服), hence building up
our dependency on the United States. Now we're economically strong
(considerably when comparing with those 3rd world countries although
some 國民黨&親民黨政客 might not think so and use it to create social
disturbances to their benefits), we have to repay those Americans with
billions of dollars to retain our sovereignty. A very good example is
that we still have to build the fourth nuclear power plant despite
nationwide opposition. Is this really necessary? I'm not too sure. I
don't have access to those classified documents about our REAL
interaction with the U.S. However, from what I know, they're just try
to suck as much money from other countries as possible to build more
nuclear weapons. The western countries lend money to the 3rd world
countries to build air ports, health facilities, transportation system,
education systems, etc. The standard of living in the 3rd world
countries didn't improve all that much. They suffer more under the
mounting debts to the western countries. The interests they're paying
to the western countries far exceed what they receive in the form of
foreign aids. Another dependency has built up between the 3rd world
countries and the States. No wonder the United States is the most
powerful country in the world. They have all the money and control
around the world.

There's a long historical motive behind the September 11 attack. I'm
not saying that all Americans should die (no one deserves to die), but
the American society should at least learn from this tragedy. We know
very well that they didn't. I totally agree with Franc,oise Ducros for
calling Bush a "moron". If the U.S. don't change their foreign policy
and values, it's very possible to expect more terrorist attacks.

Is capitalism totally bad then? Not necessarily. The former Soviet
Union is a very good example. Incentives (i.e. money and prestige) are
needed for productivity and growth. Different social structures require
different economic policies. You can't just work and then relax in
Taiwan. We know that if you don't work hard and save, the high living
expenses in Taiwan are gonna kill you. 我們是不是該改變勞動唯一勞動神聖
的根深蒂固生活哲學? Yes and we need more than that. We need a
worldwide economical structure reform, or we'll just turn into another
Indonesia, a source of cheap labour and natural resources for the
Westerners, due to our dependence on the United States. However, this
is hard. An overal social and econoimcal reform is impossible when the
people in power need this inequality to maintain their status. I guess
what we can do now is to ensure our economic sufficiency and enjoy life
while we can.

Ellen
12/09/2002

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Referenced Article: 台灣富人與外國窮人

1992年初我在紐西蘭北島乍見優游在廣闊綠草原上吃草的肥胖白綿羊時，脫口而出
"紐西蘭的綿羊都比在台灣當上班族的我幸福咧... 餓了低頭啃四週肥美的青草，
飽了睏了就把頭埋在胸間、讓太陽曬著就地睡去，等醒來再吃再睡... 堂堂萬物之
靈居然羨慕任宰任除毛剝皮的羊咩咩呢！

我有兩個大學同學，當年成績很爛卻勉強用觀光簽證先後混到奧地利去；輾轉換得
學生簽證後結婚，卻寧可滯留當地，當假窮留學生拼命掙得次等公民權，好享受人
家的生活品質與社會福利都比回國強咧！後來乾脆連根拔起舉家移民落腳該國，即
使結束此地經營多年家族事業也在所不惜... 聽說目前兩夫妻在維也納開中國餐
館，老同學到奧地利都會繞去光顧咧！人家多年前就是番薯老公配芋頭驕女，日子
照樣過得很順利，哪還要根留台灣備受今日為競選而挑起的族群分化困擾啊？！

我們其實還是可以開始學著重視並享受生命... 現在開始不要盲目灌輸孩子們"偷
閒享受片刻是罪惡的！現在勞祿將來才有好日子可過... 趁年輕要拼要比得過人
家，你才會有機會享受後福..." 這種落伍的人生哲學。嗯西班牙人最樂天了，他
們對生命的需求是這樣的~~~

工作的目的是為了度假！
賺錢的目的是為了度假！！
生活的目的是為了度假！！！

雖然看似很頹廢，而且西班牙人的確工作時數很低放假很多，可人家的國民產值因
為該國觀光旅遊業蓬勃而照樣拉抬非常多，還是去年度受到歐盟經援最多的成員國
咧！好個全民舉國樂翻天于享受度假的希奇國家與人民！

我們是不是該改變勞動唯一勞動神聖的根深蒂固生活哲學，開始試著感受人生一遭
到底是為了什麼目的呢？有錢固然不錯，可是有錢不懂得好好讓自己更快樂，反而
擔驚受怕於萬一遭人覬覦被偷被綁被搶，只能遮遮掩掩的暗爽自己有錢，卻不敢風
光放心的享受賣命辛勤付出後帶來的快樂報償， 那又有何"好"可言？

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Eric Hu's Comment:

If you recall the movie "God must be crazy", you'd think that the native Africans are the happiest people on Earth. With the abundance of food and resource for everyone, these native people does not know the meaning of the word "ownership".
You can not blame Taiwanese for not knowing the word "vacation". After all, these European countries have achieved its glory, and are in the post-modern era when material is no longer the sole purpose of life pursue. These Europeans can afford to be slackers because their countries have achieved high standard of living. However, if you recall from Social 11 about the history of England, you'd remember that they too have went through industrial revolution period when the workers work 12 hrs everyday.

Moreover, if you've ever talked to these European, you'd know that these countries suffer from such great inefficiency because of the slacking attitude of their people. There is a story which my Italian friend told me (note: Italian, Spanish and Greek are the three biggest slackers in Europe. My Italian friend attributes this to the fact that these three countries have the best part of the Mediteranian.). A Japanese company went to Italy to set up a factory. They built a warehouse and hired locals to begin making the product. But because of the union force wanting so much benefit, paid vacation, etc, the productivity of the factory is very poor. So the three Japanese managers decided to close the factory, sent home all the workers, and the three managers sat down to make the remain products themselve. They managed to make all the thousand product to fill the order, then sell the factory and went back to Japan.

Another example is Brazil. It is a 3rd world country with many part of the nation still below poverty line and living in unsanitary condition. The Brazilians, like Europeans, are big time slacker and enjoy life as much as they could. The result, Brazil still remains in poverty.

As we have all known, Taiwan achieves its status today because of the hard working Taiwanese in 70's and 80's. Our parents worked days and nights to boost the economy. It was our previous generation that brought Taiwan from a poor nation requiring American aid to a strong nation with high GDP index.
I am not saying that hard working is good. I am only commenting that ONLY when the basic living standard has been met, people start look toward the spiritual aspect of life. This is exactly why there is a hugh growth in awarness toward enviromentalism, philantropy and better living condition in Taiwan now.

The most interesting aspect about Taiwan is that it has many issues. There are problems in Taiwan such as pollution, medical care, media quality and aboriginal rights that still requires the effort of people to correct it. But that's what makes Taiwan so interesting. By contrast, Canada is really a boring country. Quite often the biggest news in the entire nation is some puppy got stuck on a tree and rescued.

I am a optimist toward the future of Taiwan. By reading the history of development of other nations in Europe, one can note that before these nations achieve what they have today, they have all been through a period of chaos. If you think about it, Taiwan has only started Democrary for only 20 years. I believe time will cure the problem of Taiwan when all these idiot 老國民黨 are dead, and when people grew weary of these dirty election tricks.

Believe it or not, Taiwan is actually a very advance nation in terms of technology. In one issue of "Business Week", it listed the top 100 IT company which are the biggest, the fastest-growing, most profitable, or have the best returns in 2002. Taiwan has 15 companies listed. Among them are Asustek, BenQ, Compal, Quanta, Via Technology, and Taiwan Semiconductor. Also when we Electrical Engineer design IC chips, we use standards and specification set by Taiwan Semiconductor (台積電). When we produce a chip for our thesis, we send it to Taiwan Semiconductor to make it.
So, in conclusion, YES, it is time for Taiwan to change. The generation above us brought Taiwan its prosperity, but they are also the people who become the greedy politician and business man who abandoned Taiwan to China for their sole aim for money, and the people who brought the many environmental disasters in Taiwan. It is up to us 六年級生 and 七年級生, the generation who are born when Taiwan is already in its prosperity, to rethink the value of materialism. This doesn't mean to be a total slacker and live off social benefit, but rather to spend some time outside of work to enjoy life a little, and help improve our home land.

Eric Hu 12/17/2002