Issues relating to the global society were at the forefront as the West Chester University Department of Philosophy hosted its Conference on Globalization, Democracy and Ethnicity on April 16 in Phillips Memorial Hall. The conference included a variety of panel discussions and speakers from various institutions, including keynote speakers Dr. Deane Curtin of Gustavus Adolphus College and Dr. Charles Prebish of Penn State University.
Curtin’s speech, entitled “What Population Problem?” examined the role of democratic solutions to global population problems. Prebish discussed the growth of Buddhism in and beyond Asia in his presentation, “Spiritual Kinship in the Global Buddhist Community.” The speeches were followed by periods of questioning and comment, and panel discussions.
The Interfaith Roundtable on Globalization and Democracy was led by Dr. Ashok Gangadean of Haverford College and included WCU faculty members Dr. Lawrence Davidson of the history department and Dr. Thomas Platt of the philosophy department.
This was followed by the “Political Thought Roundtable on Concepts of Democracy and Tolerance,” led by Dr. Hans Oberdieck of Swarthmore College and featuring six WCU faculty members: Dr. Linda Stevenson of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Philip Benesch (political science), Dr. Yury Polsky (political science), Dr. Wei Wei Cai of the Department of Elementary Education, Dr. Gopal Sankaran of the Department of Health Sciences, and Dr. Bonita Freeman-Witthoft (Department of Sociology and Anthropology).
The panelists stressed a need for tolerance and appreciation of differing cultures and viewpoints. Underscoring the importance of free expression in this regard, Benesch noted, “[One could argue that] political liberalism has a higher value than democracy” and promoted a philosophy that is “based on honest and frank dialogue” when it comes to recognizing and addressing conflicting ideas and cultures.
Sankaran noted the benefit that globalization has had in terms of public health, citing an increase in the worldwide life expectancy from 49 to 65 years between 1948 and 1999, but noted that some countries in Africa and Europe have recently experienced a decrease in life expectancy. Initiatives from organizations like the World Health Organization and individual contributors like Bill Gates are helping to promote health and wellness throughout the world, Sankaran argued.
While the U.S. is becoming more and more multicultural, Stevenson warned of a potential backlash. Noting the provocative writings of Samuel P. Huntington, who has criticized large scale Latino migration in the US as a threat to our “national identity.” Stevenson labeled these types of statements troubling.
“Many feel that globalization is another term for an ‘American empire,'” noted Cai, who also pointed out that the West has yet to fully appreciate many Eastern traditions. “Eastern medicine is not recognized. Insurance will not cover them and calls them ‘alternative.'”
Lightening the mood somewhat, Polsky focused his remarks on “the splendid sport of hockey,” and noted that Americans are only exposed to one form of hockey. Many American accomplishments in international competition are “a mystery for the vast majority of Americans” because networks like ESPN only cover the National Hockey League and show highlights that glamorize fights. Polsky noted that American teams in the NHL get the best players because they have the most money, and took a jab at Flyers fans. He noted that the Flyers always lose in the playoffs, despite “great enthusiasm that they may beat New Jersey, and that may be so. But I feel the next round will be [their] final.”
The final panel dealt with economics. Headed by Dr. Kok-Chor Tan of the University of Pennsylvania, the Economics Roundtable on Globalization, Democracy and Ethnicity included WCU faculty members Dr. Orhan Kara (economics), Dr. William Laliker (English), Dr. Seetha Burtner (philosophy), and Dr. Paul Morgan (counseling, secondary, and professional education). The event concluded with an overall discussion and a banquet at which Chester County Commissioner and WCU faculty member Dr. Andrew Dinniman spoke.