From: Witness For Peace Date: 24 Sep 92 12:25 PDT Subject: WFP Myth of the Month: September 1 Message-ID: <1563600206@igc.apc.org> Lines: 196 Status: RO Witness for Peace 1492-1992 Expose the Myths: Calling for a Just World Order Myth of the Month--September 1992: Self-Determination and Democracy Myth: Colonization brought political progress to the New World, just as U.S. policy fosters democracy in Central America today. Response: The goal of Columbus' exploration was simply to find a new trade route to the Near East in order to benefit Spain's economy. To obtain their primary goal of access to wealth_and therefore power_the conquistadors disrupted and overthrew the political systems of the indigenous inhabitants and forced Indians to pay tribute to the European crown. U.S. policy in Latin America has served to perpetuate U.S. dominance in the hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine dictated U.S. hegemony, which has been a goal of foreign policy ever since. U.S. policy has been less concerned with establishing participatory democracy in Central America than it has been in maintaining power in the hemisphere. There is little direct relationship between aid given to Central America by the United States and the establishment of participatory democracy. The Americas and Europe 1492 The myth exists that Europe was politically advanced and the Americas were politically "backward" at the time of colonization. A closer look reveals that this was not the case. In the Americas, there existed a variety of political and economic systems_some more complex and egalitarian than others. For example, the Pre-columbian civilizations in Central America and Mexico developed cultures with advanced technology, including systems of writing, knowledge of astronomy, systems of underground irrigation canals, and an extensive system of roads to support their vast empire. However, in 1492 the inhabitants of the Americas did not have the advanced technology of war which their European contemporaries possessed. A basic overview of the situation in Europe in 1492 reveals that the continent was moving from a system of feudal states to a capitalist nation-state model. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella sealed a political arrangement between Spain and Portugal, thus setting up one of the most powerful nation-states on the continent. The Catholic Church was also a major power, if not the dominant power, of the day. The Spanish Inquisition was responsible for the murder and expulsion of thousands of Jews and Moors from Spain, while the Crusades opened up trade routes to serve the ruling powers. Underlying the myth that colonization brought about civilization for the Indians is an even larger myth: that Europeans had a "divine right" to intervene in the affairs of the inhabitants of this "new world." History books often describe the Americas as "virgin land" and as a region "waiting to be discovered and civilized." The discovery myth proposed that because Columbus (and therefore Spain) arrived first in the new world it belonged to them. In playground terms, it was rather like an international game of "finders keepers" and the "losers" in this instance were the millions of inhabitants already thriving on the land. Because they claimed to have a divine right to the land, conquistadors (and even missionaries) employed whatever methods were "necessary" to accomplish their tasks. Indigenous populations struggled to survive harsh treatment, disease, and the imposition of a foreign religion. After 500 years of colonization and intervention, the degree to which some indigenous groups have maintained their cultural identities is remarkable. The Mayas in Guatemala, for instance, have maintained much of their cultural heritage despite 500 years of invasion and domination. Women's groups and workers' cooperatives have organized to claim their rights as indigenous people. Cultural expressions, such as weaving and language, continue to thrive, even under conditions of extreme repression. U.S. Policy in Central America Just as in the name of "progress" colonists set out to control the New World, so in the name of "democracy" U.S. policy toward Central America has set out to ensure U.S. hegemony in the region. In 1823, the Monroe Doctrine set up the United States of America as the "protector" of the hemisphere, essentially warning European powers not to meddle in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. Some Latin Americans felt that this doctrine attempted to establish U.S. superiority in the region, giving "Divine Right" a diplomatic form. What has been the effect of U.S. policy in Central America? Has U.S. policy actually fostered democracy and freedom? The policies of the United States can be said to support double-standard democracy.... Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua illustrate the policies of double-standard democracy that the United States perpetuates in the hemisphere. * Guatemala: In 1954 the United States engineered a coup that toppled the democratic government of Guatemala, setting up a military authority that would be friendly to U.S. interests. Thirty-one years of predominantly military regimes followed, leaving 100,000 dead and 40,000 disappeared. * Panama: When the United States built the Panama Canal in 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt's Secretary of State said, "the inevitable effect of our building the Canal must be to require us to police the surrounding premises." In 1989, to help "police democracy," the United States invaded Panama and removed dictator Manuel Noriega from power. However, two years later, poverty, unemployment, drug trafficking, and political detentions continue. * Nicaragua: In 1984 Nicaragua held its first presidential election, an election ruled free and fair by the United Nations and most countries of the world, except for the United States. Because the U.S. disliked the Sandinista government, it attempted to overthrow the Sandinistas by the contra war in the 1980s. After the 1990 elections established the U.S.-favored UNO government of Violeta Chamorro, the U.S. government has given only $560 million in aid, although it is estimated that the U.S.-sponsored contra war caused over $17 billion in damage. Double-Standard Democracy The "new world order" claims to be one where democracy and freedom are fostered throughout the world. Yet the democracy which the United States has supported in Central America can be called double-standard democracy. That is, the U.S. voices approval of elected governments which favor U.S. policy (such as Chamorro in Nicaragua and Serrano in Guatemala) but disapproves of governments not favorable to U.S. policy (such as the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and_earlier_Arvalo and Arbenz in Guatemala.) The United States has supported elections in Central America in the last decade. But elections alone do not guarantee that democracy will ensue. For example, in the Guatemalan elections of 1990/91, only candidates who did not address reform issues were on the ballot. Other candidates were either killed or intimidated, yet the elections were considered democratic by the U.S. In a just world order, countries would have the right to determine their own system of government, their own leaders, and their own agenda. Human rights for all people, regardless of their race or religion or political orientation would be guaranteed. One country, just because it is strong, would not have the right to dominate other countries. Calling for a Just World Order: * Join the Witness for Peace Media/Legislative Contacts to oppose U.S. intervention in Central America (see enclosed flyer). * Ask your Representatives and Senators to oppose U.S. intervention in Central America and suspend aid to governments that cannot guarantee human rights to their citizens. * Encourage economic aid that will go directly to small, community-controlled development projects. * Sponsor a house meeting using the WFP Video Is this Democracy: U.S. Policy, Democracy, and Central America. Discussion Questions: 1. As a European in the 1500s, how might you have responded to news of the "new world" and its inhabitants? In what ways would your response have been affected by your economic and political standing? 2. In what ways does the U.S. act as though it has a "divine right?" 3. How have indigenous groups organized to claim their rights to their land and culture? How can non-indigenous peace and justice groups support them in their struggle? Resources: Indigenous Thought, A Networking Magazine to link Counter-Quincentenary Activities, 6802 Southwest 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608; 904/378-3246. "Responding Faithfully to the Quincentenary: A Study/Action Packet," Racial Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10115; 212/870-2298.