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Social Science question

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To fully understand a country, is to understand it's problems. Do you agree or disagree?
12 years ago, July 20th 2011 No: 1 Msg: #140592  
I have been pondering this saying for a while because I think it's true. By understanding it's problems, no matter how big or small, you can understand more about people's behavior.

What do you guys think? Reply to this

12 years ago, July 22nd 2011 No: 2 Msg: #140769  
Hello Kathryn 😊

To fully understand a country, is to understand it's problems.


Yeah, i'd say it is true, of individuals as well as countries. A lot of what people do and feel concerns solving, coping with or even avoiding problems.

I think, whole societies may even have been set up around problem solving. Clumping together in societies is afterall believed to be one of the reasons humans have been so successful, as opposed to other species which got out competed. Societies helped humans survive by solving problems such as defence by numbers, support of the vulnerable, division of labour so those who provided most in a certain area could concentrate on that and have their other needs met by somebody providing something else.

As far as I can see, one could not possibly understand a country, or any group of people, without being aware of their problems.

Mel
[Edited: 2011 Jul 22 15:16 - Mell:49612 ]
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12 years ago, July 27th 2011 No: 3 Msg: #141064  
B Posts: 5

In response to: Msg #140592
hi 😊 I agree, but somehow government and the people in some countries seems to be ashamed of their problems and hide them quite good. But still, the way to bring tourists is to be openminded aswell as taking care of what you already got fex nature 😊 Reply to this

12 years ago, July 28th 2011 No: 4 Msg: #141131  
Kathryn,

I agree that by understanding their problems you can understand the people. I also think if you understand their opportunities you better understand the people.

I think travelers want gain that understanding of a new land and the people who inhabit that area.That encompasses their religious and spiritual beliefs, politics and their government, medical beliefs, folk medicine and treatments along with historical events and disasters. We find in our travels that their art and music speaks volumes about who they are as people.

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12 years ago, September 27th 2011 No: 5 Msg: #144051  
I agree that knowing the problems of a country helps you understand it better, but that's not all!. What about its strengths, history and tradition? Besides, as a person at home, on the Internet, you may read about a country's problems, but as a traveller, you will either never see it or it could be worse than you imagined. Reply to this

12 years ago, October 16th 2011 No: 6 Msg: #145363  
K.R. your point is well taken. When we were traveling the back roads of Thailand we were amazed at the piles of garbage, more specifically the plastic bottles piled behind each home. We knew countries in SE Asia did not have infrastructure for disposing of used goods but until you see it piled higher than the house you don't really understand the impact. Reading about this does not make the impact that it has when you travel, see it and live around it.

Great opportunities are out there.
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12 years ago, November 1st 2011 No: 7 Msg: #146264  
To fully understand a country and its people, one must learn about its history, geography, culture, socio-economic and political issues, and what people value the most (i.e family, tradition/beliefs, religion, health, wealth, education, possessions etc).
[Edited: 2011 Nov 01 06:09 - wanderinghobo:220159 ]
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12 years ago, November 14th 2011 No: 8 Msg: #146960  

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