An election approaches in Britain.
The US looks back at its own choices.
Politics and opinions fill papers and posts and ears, some articulate, others mere slogans and gritted teeth. No matter, voters make up their own minds and are entitled to their own perspective.
Regardless of where they live.
A disturbing grumble popped up this week via various sources.
- “You don’t live here so shut up.”
- “Expats think they are so superior.”
- “Why should people living abroad tell us what to do?”
I have a view on every one of these questions, as a tax-paying, voluntary National Insurance contributor, with some family members dependent on the NHS/Social Services and an emotional investment in the country of my birth.
But this is not about me.
Nor is it about the bias peddled by the media.
I want to know why some of the most articulate and passionate perspectives on America I’ve read come from people living in Europe. British foreign and domestic policy is subjected to the sharpest analysis from intelligent minds in Romania, Sweden, Canada, Germany and Scotland.
So here are a few questions:
- If someone no longer lives in her/his home country, does that negate that person’s opinion on domestic politics?
- Is political opinion the exclusive domain of those who live under its effects?
- Should a person committed to living in another country apply for voting rights there and leave the homeland to itself?
- Do expatriates have stronger views on how a government might improve having seen other more/less effective examples?
- What kind of parallels are there between immigrants and emigrants? Why is there a resentment of both incomers and outgoers?
I’m really curious to hear your thoughts.
Next week, I’ll be back to boring you about my books.
jjmarsh 
May 30, 2017 at 22:29
Hello.
The quote #3 : “Why should people living abroad tell us what to do?”
This is what colonist used to do to other inhabitants around the world. This is why I hate colonialism. Of course I’m referring to the western hemisphere of the USA and some places in the Carribean.
Thanks for the moderation.
May 31, 2017 at 17:57
Interesting questions here. When I left Australia and moved to the UK 13 years ago I took myself off the electoral register in Australian because I felt I had no right to affect the lives of people in a place I no longer choose to live even those I could still have voted. At the same time I registered to vote in the UK to have a voice in my new home. I now hold dual citizenship and still stand by this choice but your questions did give me pause…
June 2, 2017 at 12:38
What an excellent post. Here are my opinions:
1. I live in Britain but still (after 34 years) vote in the Finnish elections. I am a citizen of Finland and I care what happens in my ‘old country’.
2. I have family in Finland whose future is a concern to me, which is why I vote in Finnish elections.
3. If you are a tax payer, and/or contribute to the country and society where you live (most or all of us do this just by paying VAT on the goods and services we purchase), why shouldn’t you have strong views on how the country you live in is run? Even if you can’t vote, everyone has the responsibility to look after the society they live in.
4. I believe in the free movement of people – I’d go as far as opening all borders. It’d be chaotic for a while but in the end, I believe the world would be a happier place.
There are very few people who can show that their ancestors were originally from the place they live in. Most Brits, for example, have immigrant blood running in their veins. If only they’d all remember that.
As you can see I get quite emotional about the issue of immigration and racism (which hatred of ‘foreigners’ simply put is). I have unfortunately myself experienced it, and once you have, the memory of the hatred you’ve felt towards your person never leaves you.