Grady Russell

Jerry writes from the thread, “I love my job!”

hay! I’ve been waiting for your update for months. How are you doing recently? China experienced a great deal of crisis these days: the earthquake, torch relay protest, etc. Life is hard but work has to go on!

I came cross a sentence from a website last week and I don’t understand, could you do me a favour, Grady?

“The American temptation is to believe that foreign policy is a subdivision of psychiatry.” Henry Kissinger quotes (American Political scientist. b.1923)

Thanks a million!

My reply: Any political science majors feel free to wade in on this one…

I am so sorry, Jerry. I have been distracted lately. I hope to resume blogging soon.

I will attempt to explain the phrase; “The American temptation is to believe that foreign policy is a subdivision of psychiatry.” Henry Kissinger quotes (American Political scientist. b.1923). Sadly, it is only my opinion and I must remind you that I am not a politician.

I believe that Mr. Kissinger was implying a common attitude among American citizens, and elected leaders, that assumes relationships with other countries require an understanding of Psychiatry which is a branch of medicine that studies and attempts to treat disorders of the mind (mental illness). The implication is that Americans see all foreign countries and people groups as needing analysis and treatment for their perceived disorders.

While I don’t believe that his assessment applies to all Americans, certainly not those who have travelled and met the people of other countries and traditions, I do understand His frustration. As a political scientist he is understands that foreign policy has more to do with building social structures and developing processes between differing groups of people or nations. An attitude which assumes “disorders” is a very detrimental to strong and lasting relationships. How can I build a trusting relationship with those I think are not normal?

I believe that this analogy might help. I understand that men in China see women in very different ways. When a man is pursuing a wife, he sees her beauty and desires her company and affection. Once a man has a wife, he sees her value for service and support. He sees her differently even though she is the same woman. She has not changed. Please forgive me if I am wrong, but if I am right wouldn’t it be better to treat all women with respect? (I believe that I should treat my wife better than all other people in my life. We will soon celebrate 33 years of marriage and we are both happy because we value each other.)

So, Mr. Kissinger sees the relationships between countries in much the same way. If Americans will value other nations and peoples as much as they value themselves, they could develop and maintain stronger and longer lasting relationships with them.

Now I will add another opinion regarding the statement. The very term “foreign policy” is becoming very outdated in our language. The word “foreign” has begun to have a negative connotation. Who would want a “foreign” object in their head? Not me! It seems to magnify the differences. Another term that is similar is “alien” which can refer to creatures from other worlds or people from other countries. Not a nice group to be in, right? In much the same way the word “foreign” puts other people or nations in the same group as little green men from outer space! [No offence is intended for any little green.] I think a better term would be “world policy.” That phrase seems to give us all equal status since we are all part of the world.

I hope I helped you. It is good to “hear” from you. I love the World Wide Web!

I know that things have been difficult there. We are praying for you.

Stay tuned and take care,

Grady