NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been curious about this for some time: do the citizens of one country legitimately have the right to criticize the government of another country? Now, the obivous instance of a positive answer would be if Country A entered into hostilities (be they militarily as in an invasion, economically as in an embargo, etc.) against Country B, thus allowing Country B and perhaps any of its surrounding nations to criticize Country A. Another abvious answer would be if there are gross human rights violations taking place in Country A.

My question is more a general statement that excludes these examples, as they are rather extreme. For instance, does a person in the United States have the right to criticize the government of, pulling a random nation out of a hat, Azerbijan or vice versa?

Please note that I am not asking this in direct response to any international criticism of the United States. I am asking this in good-faith looking for opinions on a question that I do not have the answer to.

THe UNited States and France.

Everybody in the world has a right to criticize The U.S. and France. It's part of the U.N. Charter. :D

I reserve and frequently exercise my [InsertDietyhereorleaveblank]-given right to criticise anyone and everyone for any reason at any time I see fit.

So there.:p

I've been curious about this for some time: do the citizens of one country legitimately have the right to criticize the government of another country? Now, the obivous instance of a positive answer would be if Country A entered into hostilities (be they militarily as in an invasion, economically as in an embargo, etc.) against Country B, thus allowing Country B and perhaps any of its surrounding nations to criticize Country A. Another abvious answer would be if there are gross human rights violations taking place in Country A.

My question is more a general statement that excludes these examples, as they are rather extreme. For instance, does a person in the United States have the right to criticize the government of, pulling a random nation out of a hat, Azerbijan or vice versa?

Please note that I am not asking this in direct response to any international criticism of the United States. I am asking this in good-faith looking for opinions on a question that I do not have the answer to.

Completely! You can even say their leader's a poo-poo head if you want. Criticism should never be illegal, even if it is sometimes unwarrented, or just plain dumb.

its my god given right to have an opinion on anything i want to have an opinion on, informed or not.

For as long as there's a God.

I've been curious about this for some time: do the citizens of one country legitimately have the right to criticize the government of another country? Now, the obivous instance of a positive answer would be if Country A entered into hostilities (be they militarily as in an invasion, economically as in an embargo, etc.) against Country B, thus allowing Country B and perhaps any of its surrounding nations to criticize Country A. Another abvious answer would be if there are gross human rights violations taking place in Country A.

A third - and less extreme one - is if the country does anything which has impact outside its borders. Like having a foreign policy. Or exporting illegal immigrants or goods. Polluting the environment. The list goes on...

I'll criticize whatever and whoever I want. It's my constitutional right as an American.

*criticizes this thread*

THe UNited States and France.

Everybody in the world has a right to criticize The U.S. and France. It's part of the U.N. Charter. :D
Yeah! Frakkin' UN Charter! [ cusses ] :p

I'll criticize whatever and whoever I want. It's my constitutional right as an American.

*criticizes this thread*
I criticise for the hell of it! :D

A tad confused about the nature of rights, now are ye?

It's neither yes nor no, it's a whole different ball game.

So long as we're all citizens of the world!

West Nomadia, maybe you'd get a more varied response if you said what sort of situation gave you pause for thought on this topic in the first place? I don't think we can see your problem with it very easily yet!

being critical of other nations is a legitimate practice, but once you criticize the U.S. it is unfounded and only done out of jealousy.

So long as we're all citizens of the world!

exactly



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My question is more a general statement that excludes these examples, as they are rather extreme. For instance, does a person in the United States have the right to criticize the government of, pulling a random nation out of a hat, Azerbijan or vice versa?

Yes, yes they do. I mean, honestly, why wouldn't someone have the right to criticize another government, or another person, or anything, really. Thats free speech, sometimes people say things you don't like, things you don't agree with, things that offend you, or things that are false.

For instance, I disapprove of the French tradition of eating babies when leaders are sworn in. I think that it is wrong to eat babies and such a disgusting and outdated practice should be abolished. Further, President Chirac smells of goats and malted milk. See, no problems.

Sure, people can say whatever they want. Now, when they're not living in the country they'll have a less informed perspective, like for some reason President Bush isn't popular in Canada. However, regardless of how stupid, ignorant and unwarranted the criticism is, they have the right to say it.

Sure, people can say whatever they want. Now, when they're not living in the country they'll have a less informed perspective, like for some reason President Bush isn't popular in Canada. However, regardless of how stupid, ignorant and unwarranted the criticism is, they have the right to say it.


I know, I mean, for example, how stupid to even suggest that another countries foreign policy is affecting them adversely.

yeah if the actions of that countries government affects you

so everyone has the right to criticise dubbya

I'll criticise whomever I want, whenever I want.

But I usually keep a low profile in domestic policy discussions, as long as it's not about some principal matter that doesn't have a direct connection to the country.

Foreign policy however I will get involved to, regardless what country we're talking about. Which is usually the US.

While I was in Japan, I openly criticized the government there for spending such a disproprotionate amount of the national budget on Koizumi's haircare products. I even took a door to door poll.

Results:

Agree: 0.01 %

Disagree: 0.01%

Smiled, Nodded, said "Mmmm, that's very interesting, maybe" while sucking air through their teeth: 99.98%

Elgesh']West Nomadia, maybe you'd get a more varied response if you said what sort of situation gave you pause for thought on this topic in the first place? I don't think we can see your problem with it very easily yet!

Sorry for taking so long to respond- had to go run some errands.

As to your question, again my apologies if my question seemed unnecessarily vague. The question came to me because my Comparative Government class, which I assume is self-descriptive in its title. Granted, the class' main emphasis is showing differences between our own system with a handful of other nations, but it got me thinking about this subject.

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far.

A tad confused about the nature of rights, now are ye?

It's neither yes nor no, it's a whole different ball game.

I never claimed to have the corner on the political philosophy market, so it very may well be. Care to elaborate?