das ganze Leben - Grundlagen der kulturellen Situation  -  das ganze Leben
the entire life - grass roots of the cultural situation  -  the entire life
la vie entière - les bases de la situation culturelle  -  la vie entière

June 2012
Trade balance
The Community Life 4

Islands

What is an island?

A region which has its own rules, is within the meaning of these rules an island. A complete fusion of all islands does not make sens from a geographical point of view, because life on the polar circle, on the equator, in the mountains and along the coast requires different rules. Islands also have their eligibility, if people want that for other reasons. There is an island of artists, an island of adventurers, an island for gentle people and there are also the many islands for social experiments that are worth to be protected. Each island is also part of a larger community and part of the world. Human rights apply everywhere and also the basic rights and obligations that must be maintained between islands. There may be reasons why we want to lead regions or islands together. If we join economically strong regions, and those who are economically weak, then the economically powerful will sell their products to the economically weak, they will buy up the local resources and weaken or destroy the local craft industry. The economically disadvantaged, then become buyers in need. They go into debt or they look for work and money in the rich regions. Rich countries often try to prevent this. A disorderly fusing may be a help for the rich region. It also helps those people in the underdeveloped region that do business with the rich region. It's not just about connecting, it is also important to do it carefully, to protect life and to set limits.

How can we integrate an island?

If an economically weak region will be integrated, then a further decline is to expect, because the economic opportunities, and perhaps the political and physical infrastructure are weaker. Who allows free movement of goods, must also allow free movement of people. This is necessary to prevent unemployment and despair in the weaker region. But this is not enough. Specific training and formation in the weaker region and also placement and promotion of investment by the central government are required. The merging of regions should be done step by step. The speed of unification has to be adapted to the speed of the strengthening of the weaker region.

The balance between different cultures

When two regions are in equilibrium, harmonization is not necessary. When a region has a exceptional situation which should remain, then measures are required. If there are inequalities between regions that must be reduced, measures are also needed. If the free flow of goods is allowed, then the free flow of people must also be allowed. Most people want to stay in the country in which they live, unless there is distress and elsewhere is prosperity. The exodus from a situation with no future should not be prevented by border fences. It should be made unnecessary by measures which put an end to the emergency. There are also cultural and economic characteristics and experiments to be preserved. We have a special responsibility towards the abundance of natural and cultural heritage.

Options for protection

If a region can not cope economically to another region, it needs to protect itself. The economic domination of one region over another must definitely be avoided. A trade balance can be achieved if necessary by trade restrictions, laws, prohibitions, duties and if needed by a local money.