Wealth is not the cause of good morals
Just before the Beijing Olympics’ began, a T.V. program broadcasts a Japanese man who said Japan had gained human rights by becoming wealthy, and so would China. I disagree with him because wealth is not a source for good morals. Wealthy individuals and wealthy governments have proven to lack strong morals.
1) Japan
Japan is the second strongest economic power in the world, but people still suffer due long working hours. The government’s support for disabled people, the unemployed and single mothers is much less than that in some of European countries.
2) The U.S.
The U.S. is the strongest economic power, but government’s support for vulnerable people is poor and national education scores are not high.
3) China
China has the most foreign money in the world and GDP of China is much greater than that of most European countries. China also displays dead human bodies in a museum in Beijing and more than 1000 people are executed by the government annually without having had a public and legal trial.
4) India
As the Indian population has become wealthier, the Safi ritual has been performed more often amongst the growing middle class. Apparently they believe embracing older traditions demonstrates status within the higher classes. The Sati involves burning a widow along with the deceased husband against her will.
5) France, Germany and Sweden
GDPs of these countries are much smaller than that of the U.S. and Japan but the living standard in those countries are higher — education is free, medical treatments are inexpensive or free, working hours is shorter, long vacation is available, women’s social position is higher, and disable people have more opportunities to join in the society.
Also see below.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Muslim women: Culture, not poverty, is to blame for violence against Muslim women (The Economist)
http://earideas.com/earideas/explore/show/75643/Ayaan+Hirsi+Ali+on+Muslim+women
