11/10 (Tue.) From Good Country Index to US Election (Host: Iris)
發表於 : 週三 11月 04, 2020 8:00 am
In the previous meeting, “Proud of Taiwan”, we hashed out the possibility of maintaining Taiwan’s neutrality in its relations between China and the USA. The consensus was that all superpowers have their own agendas, and we are choosing the lesser of two evils. Why do great powers always become “evil empires”? Why are nations not like individuals, abiding by a set of ethical standards and rules? I could not help contemplating this.
I understand my thoughts may be out of touch, so I was thrilled to find a TED Talk in which the speaker was as naïve as I am and, even more passionate and enthusiastic about trying to promote his idealistic solution to curb the expansion of evil powers.
Simon Anholt brought up the concept of the “Good Country Index”, which is a mean to rate nations by how much they contribute to the common good of humanity. The idea is to encourage global citizens to express their concerns about the global commons and attempt to influence our political leaders to act on our behalf when dealing with global issues.
You may still remain skeptical and critical about the whole concept, but isn’t it better to use such a yardstick to try to bring world political systems to account, rather than letting them drift and fall off a cliff?
Reading Materials:
Which Country Does the Most Good for the world? (17 mins)
The Good Country Equation (3 mins)
A Middle Path Between Strategic Ambiguity and Clarity on Taiwan
https://international.thenewslens.com/article/141282
Reference Only (Optional Reading):
Q1: A sick chicken in a remote village could become global pandemic. Banks overlending could bring the world economic system to its knees.
What other global issues have we been facing over the last few decades? How serious are they and why do these issues remain unresolved?
Q2: What is the “Good Country Index”? What are the purposes of GCI? What is your take on this initiative?
What is the idea of “Good, Gooder and Goodest” countries?
(Will it work as the creators expected? Is it practical or too naïve?)
Q3: According to the 2018 “Good Country” list, the US ranks 40st and China was at the bottom at 61st. Does this ranking match your own rating?
Taiwan sits between the two superpowers and has had a hard time maintaining its neutrality. Some say that to side with either one is like choosing between two evils.
Do you think if one of them could have been a “Goodest Country” (with the greatest effort toward contributing to the global commons), would it be easier for Taiwan to side with this country? Why or why not?
Session II: US Presidential Election and Its Impact on Taiwan
Q1: Between the two U.S. presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump,
a) If Europeans were to vote in the U.S. election, who would win the race? Why does Europe favor this candidate?
b) If the Taiwanese were to vote, what would be the result? Why are most Taiwanese partial to this particular candidate?
Q2: How might the next U.S. President impact the future of Taiwan?
a) What do the terms “strategic ambiguity” and “strategic clarity” mean with respect to U.S. policy on Taiwan?
b) Which one do you think is likely to be enforced by the new president?
c) Which one is better or is there any middle path for Taiwan?
Q3: How likely is it that the U.S. will fulfill its implied commitment to defend Taiwan, should China Invade?
a) Take some examples after Vietnam War, such as Persian Gulf War, invasion of Afghanistan, invasion of Iraq, U.S.-led intervention in Syria, Yemen Civil War, U.S. intervention in Libya: What are the patterns and results of these wars?
b) If “history is teaching by examples” (Thucydides), then what should we learn, in general, from the U.S. military intervention history?
Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:45pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
7:45 ~ 8:00pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:00 ~ 8:05pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 5 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:05 ~ 8:40pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
8:40 ~ 8:55pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:00pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.
I understand my thoughts may be out of touch, so I was thrilled to find a TED Talk in which the speaker was as naïve as I am and, even more passionate and enthusiastic about trying to promote his idealistic solution to curb the expansion of evil powers.
Simon Anholt brought up the concept of the “Good Country Index”, which is a mean to rate nations by how much they contribute to the common good of humanity. The idea is to encourage global citizens to express their concerns about the global commons and attempt to influence our political leaders to act on our behalf when dealing with global issues.
You may still remain skeptical and critical about the whole concept, but isn’t it better to use such a yardstick to try to bring world political systems to account, rather than letting them drift and fall off a cliff?
Reading Materials:
Which Country Does the Most Good for the world? (17 mins)
The Good Country Equation (3 mins)
A Middle Path Between Strategic Ambiguity and Clarity on Taiwan
https://international.thenewslens.com/article/141282
Reference Only (Optional Reading):
- American Involvement in Wars From Colonial Times to the Present
Wars From 1675 to the Present Day
https://www.thoughtco.com/american-invo ... nt-4059761
Who do people in Asia-Pacific want to win the US presidential election?
https://today.yougov.com/topics/politic ... residentia
Europe wants Joe Biden to beat Donald Trump
https://today.yougov.com/topics/interna ... beat-trump
Q1: A sick chicken in a remote village could become global pandemic. Banks overlending could bring the world economic system to its knees.
What other global issues have we been facing over the last few decades? How serious are they and why do these issues remain unresolved?
Q2: What is the “Good Country Index”? What are the purposes of GCI? What is your take on this initiative?
What is the idea of “Good, Gooder and Goodest” countries?
(Will it work as the creators expected? Is it practical or too naïve?)
Q3: According to the 2018 “Good Country” list, the US ranks 40st and China was at the bottom at 61st. Does this ranking match your own rating?
Taiwan sits between the two superpowers and has had a hard time maintaining its neutrality. Some say that to side with either one is like choosing between two evils.
Do you think if one of them could have been a “Goodest Country” (with the greatest effort toward contributing to the global commons), would it be easier for Taiwan to side with this country? Why or why not?
Session II: US Presidential Election and Its Impact on Taiwan
Q1: Between the two U.S. presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump,
a) If Europeans were to vote in the U.S. election, who would win the race? Why does Europe favor this candidate?
b) If the Taiwanese were to vote, what would be the result? Why are most Taiwanese partial to this particular candidate?
Q2: How might the next U.S. President impact the future of Taiwan?
a) What do the terms “strategic ambiguity” and “strategic clarity” mean with respect to U.S. policy on Taiwan?
b) Which one do you think is likely to be enforced by the new president?
c) Which one is better or is there any middle path for Taiwan?
Q3: How likely is it that the U.S. will fulfill its implied commitment to defend Taiwan, should China Invade?
a) Take some examples after Vietnam War, such as Persian Gulf War, invasion of Afghanistan, invasion of Iraq, U.S.-led intervention in Syria, Yemen Civil War, U.S. intervention in Libya: What are the patterns and results of these wars?
b) If “history is teaching by examples” (Thucydides), then what should we learn, in general, from the U.S. military intervention history?
Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:45pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
7:45 ~ 8:00pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:00 ~ 8:05pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 5 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:05 ~ 8:40pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
8:40 ~ 8:55pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:00pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.