I have a bit of a controversial question (1 Viewer)

[athenaaa]

I have a bit of a controversial question (keep it nice please, and legit ANYONE can respond, I just wanna see opinions).

But, can someone who doesn’t live, never lived, or never even visited a country, have a vocal opinion about how they run things?

I’m curious to know when it is time to butt out of political conversations, and who has the right to say what and when​

 

[kiki]

yes if theyre up to date with the news abt said country i don't see why not

obviously people who live in that country will have more personal experiences but anyone can call out shitty polititians

 

[athenaaa]

yes if theyre up to date with the news abt said country i don't see why not

obviously people who live in that country will have more personal experiences but anyone can call out shitty polititians

See this is how I see things as well but I’ve often heard the argument “you don’t live here, you can’t have an opinion”

 

[Soogi]

personally, i think so yea. i don't think it's cool to criticize other peoples' cultures ofc, but discussing politics is something entirely different. i would say it can be enlightening and engaging, actually, when people share their perspectives as outsiders. but yea, it's important that you know what's actually happening and to understand that as a foreigner, you are missing certain nuances

 

[athenaaa]

personally, i think so yea. i don't think it's cool to criticize other peoples' cultures ofc, but discussing politics is something entirely different. i would say it can be enlightening and engaging, actually, when people share their perspectives as outsiders. but yea, it's important that you know what's actually happening and to understand that as a foreigner, you are missing certain nuances

Oh yeah of course, its nice to see what other people think. Like I’m gonna use an example I’m familiar with: we get a lot of American news fed to us because Canada is right on the border. And often American legislation becomes a stepping stone when introducing bills in Canada. So what’s happening with their politics can affect us. Also it can too when it comes to trade sanctions. I’m sure the same can be said for the majority of neighbouring countries

 

[kiki]

See this is how I see things as well but I’ve often heard the argument “you don’t live here, you can’t have an opinion”

most of the worlds politics affects other countries anyways in one way or another like laws against abortions or same-sex marriages, especially more influential countries


it brings light to the topics and people who are not so educated on the matters could simply vote yes on those laws since x country has it

 

[athenaaa]

most of the worlds politics affects other countries anyways in one way or another like laws against abortions or same-sex marriages, especially more influential countries


it brings light to the topics and people who are not so educated on the matters could simply vote yes on those laws since x country has it

Thats certianly true, especially bigger first world countries. They are often seen as “progressive” but with the state of our world nowadays, I don’t see it.

Slightly off topic but its truly sad though how many people vote for policys that are anti-abortion, anti-lgbt, anti-diversity, etc.

 

[Abeamus]

I've had this argument used against me and personally I don't see it since anything substantial makes the news nowadays so you can find out the same information online as someone can by living there.

The only exception to this really is more strict countries where the reality is usually far worse than what they let other places find out but for countries like the US or the UK then you can easily do research about topics.

 

[eclipsoul]

people who live there can point out the inaccuracies in what they say but i guess they're allowed to have that opinion. i personally don't care much about politics in my country let alone others but there are times where people outside of the country can be more educated on their issues than those who live there.

 

[athenaaa]

I've had this argument used against me and personally I don't see it since anything substantial makes the news nowadays so you can find out the same information online as someone can by living there.

The only exception to this really is more strict countries where the reality is usually far worse than what they let other places find out but for countries like the US or the UK then you can easily do research about topics.

Completely agree. What I’m not fully understanding is where people its okay to make that argument. If the information is easily accessible, why not share your opinions or thoughts? At the end of the day we are all human and politics and human rights affect us all regardless of what contry we are from

 

[athenaaa]

people who live there can point out the inaccuracies in what they say but i guess they're allowed to have that opinion. i personally don't care much about politics in my country let alone others but there are times where people outside of the country can be more educated on their issues than those who live there.

Yeah cause sometimes its easier to see things with a less biased point of view as an outsider

 

[Abeamus]

Completely agree. What I’m not fully understanding is where people its okay to make that argument. If the information is easily accessible, why not share your opinions or thoughts? At the end of the day we are all human and politics and human rights affect us all regardless of what contry we are from

I think it's just a pure deflection argument simply because there's no retort to it as well you don't live there and you can't get around it just shutting down and invalidating any point you put forward.

 

[SnowWhite]

You can't force people not to have an opinion, the opinion is still there but your dictatorship shuts them up. So yea, everyone can have an opinion.