IDS.300 War and Culture
Professor Blimes
October 11 2012
Fighting under a Democratic culture
Former US President George Washington stated, “If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” President Washington believed that without the privilege of freedom of speech or expression, as a nation are vulnerable to captivity thus would be letting foreign countries the chance to govern because of the lack of credential leadership. Given the situation in which western military have somewhat a democratic form of government, citizens were entitled to speak their minds. When faced with an enemy of greater strength and smarter tactical strategies it gives westerners a better defensive standing because of the deliberating and inputs from a number of leaders. Raised as a child on the small tropical island of Pohnpei in the Pacific ocean, one of the primary lessons that my parents constantly reminded me of was the fact that there were rules and if I were to live under their roof or shelter, their rules had to be followed. Abiding by the island’s way of culture, whenever I violated a rule, my parents made sure that I knew what I did wrong. This would include being chased around with a belt or stick as a punishment. My siblings and I always felt like we had the freedom we needed, not what we wanted. Our freedom was limited. This is not as frightening as a military discipline but the same concept applies. If you do not follow and comply to what is commanded of you, you will be dealt with harshly, especially in military settings.
Hanson argued that western culture portrays discipline as being predominately one of the purposes in which the battle at Poitier was won by western military. Yet on the other hand he also mentions that freedom is also why westerners are able to overpower their enemies because of the idea that they fight for their families and country willingly. Discipline and freedom are two