Appeasement

We all at some point have probably used appeasement to get someone off of our backs. Unfortunately, appeasement is slightly different than a compromise, in the sense that the person who is doing the appeasing gets nothing in the deal. In a compromise, both people agree on a set condition and go on their way. Personally, I've seen that when I use appeasement as a way to get my parents off my back, and this may just my imagination, but I have found that they tend to ask me for a lot more favors. When I make a compromise with them however, it seems as though we just forget about it and it goes on a lot smoother. A specific example of appeasement is if I ask my dad for 10 dollars to buy food. I continue doing this until he finally decides that he's not giving me any more money. Then I get to ask, "Why the sudden change?" Fortunately, I haven't had many experiences with both of these, though I'm sure it is much more a part of the life of someone who has siblings.

Appeasement: One Winner

Before, on Robert Wicker's piece on appeasement, I said that appeasement=constructively kissing the ass of a threat. Now of course this may not be true for all occasions, but I feel that most appease for this reason: the one whom they are appeasing has some role in their fate. The family dynamic is one filled with compromises, but for the children, their appeasing begins around the dawn of teenage life. As a teenager, we are inclined to test the boundaries of "adult-hood," even though we are still adolescents. To get what we want in our secluded island of highschool, girls (or boys, or neither, or both,) parties, friends, we must appease the higher powers in our life in order to continue down the road of getting what we want. In the short-term, the appeaser rarely receives anything back, and is left empty handed. However, in the long-term, the appeaser, with enough appeasing, may get what they wanted, and possibly more. Or to be a little more frank, by kissing a lot of butt, the appeaser will always have it their way. I choose to have a balance of compromise and appeasement, for I feel too much appeasement leads to weakness, vulnerability, and the chance of being taken advantage of.

Appeasement, A Mouse, and a Cookie

While at times, appeasement can seem to be the best option, especially if the potential consequence for not giving someone the thing that they want is a world war, in some cases, as in the case of Germany, it is almost better to assert your power and say no, before you become helpless under the power that you have given them.

This can also be seen in the book If you Give a Mouse a Cookie. Had the boy said no to the mouse and then taken the dislike from the mouse, he might not have had a big problem. Sure the mouse could potentially eat your house down from the inside out, once you get rid of him (probably with the help of an ally; a cat (possibly France) or an exterminator (the U.S.A.)) then your problem will be over, sure you may be a few dollars down, but there would be no mess in your house and you would then get to enjoy two delicious cookies with two glasses of milk.

Instead of taking Germany out as soon as they started to create their air force, or when they started to build up their army, then they would have put down a weaker opponent than after they have given them this military power and positioning. Once the other world powers allowed them to get a few things, air force, army, and the Rhinelands, then it becomes increasingly hard to say no, one because they could say well you gave us these, and the other because they now have an army, air force, and more land. Unfortunately this becomes a tragic cycle until they have so much power and want something so ridiculous, to the other countries, that now a bigger problem will erupt.

It is important to look at what the other party is getting and wether it is a better choice than if they had not given it to them. Although there are times when just giving something is a better choice, because of creating better relationships or stopping skirmishes, when in the long run, a whole bunch of seemingly little things build up and cause an even bigger problem than before, it is hard not to regret your decision giving them that first thing.

Appeasement

Life is a constant battle of appeasement with superiorities as well as yourself. We use appeasement because we fear the punishment of direct confrontation. Most days I am given advice from a coach that I view as either invaluable or either just straight wrong. But, as coach, they have the right to preach their own strategies, whether it differ from what you, as a player, have been taught by a personal coach or someone you believe in. Instead of arguing with them and earning a punishment, a few progressions perhaps, we give in to their suggestions. This has happened to me quite frequently, but instead of simply giving in to their incorrect advice, I only follow their instructions for the next few minutes. While not totally appeasing the situation, I do enough to avoid punishment and/or delay myself from developing an incorrect and unhelpful habit.

Appeasement

Appeasement is used widely for pacifieng one who is angry or upset. When one person showes emotions that you want to change, you want to make them feel better in order to get something that you either want or dont want to happen. In my life there have been numerous situations where I used this to prevent further tension from happening. One way that I have used this in the past is promosing something that I will do so that the person who is upset calms down. Such as saying i will do some chores when my parents are upset by my behvaious. By seeing someone doing what they want makes the person cool down. But this does not always work. There have been instances where someone is set on a path that cannot be changed, and only see the purpose of your appeasement-to move the person away from their path. Appesement is widely used in politics to further the power and control of the political system.

Appeasment

The only time I have ever used it is when I have gotten in trouble or in an argument with someone, but because they have way more power than me, I will somewhat lie and tell them they are correct. I pretend they are right to end the conflict to maintain peace. This tactic can be used with anyone from a teacher or a parent to a coach. It works well when you fear the person (they have power) and you don't want to piss them off.

Obligated -extra credit

Propaganda during this time is very similar to that of World War I because of the view given to the army, but it has changed in the sense that it no longer attacks people’s fears as much. In this image we see that the soldiers are still viewed with admiration and importance. The idea that the soldiers are superior to the audience gives the people a sense of obligation to do what ever they can to help them. In this case rather than giving the people fear, the creators are giving them obligations and duties. The creators are also distinct from those of World War I. Instead of propaganda being used solely for military purposes, it is also used for other purposes, like the use of rubber. Even though this is still related to military because the rubber is being saved for them, it still is a different kind of purpose. This new approach of getting people to feel obligated to help can be much more efficient than trying to scare people.

Peace Extension

Throughout my life there have been multiple arguments where I grant concession to my parents as an effort to maintain peace between us. I usually do this because I have a pending permission that they need to give me and I don’t want to hurt my chances of getting it. The idea of appeasement can be quite effective in some cases, but only in those that the dispute is minor. However, it can also be ineffective in the sense that I often feel guilty for doing this and that the original problem is still present. The only thing that appeasement does is maintain peace on the surface for a bit longer, but underneath the tension continues to increase. When this tension is finally unearth is significantly larger than it needed to be. That is why is vital that when we have problems we need to face them as soon as possible because the longer we wait the more daunting they will be.

Propaganda, extra credit

This propaganda is very simple, like many, but it attacks a central point that is risky, but has great power. By bringing up god and saying, "God's on our side," this images is signifying that there is a god and fighting the Nazi's is the right thing to do. For people who don't believe in god, which is not a majority of the people, they may find this offensive. But religion is important to many, and to think and believe you have the support of such a high authority, supernatural power is a very power feeling/statement. For the people who were against the Nazis, but couldn't do anything about it, this poster gives them support; it promises them that they're morals are correct. It gives the idea that you must keep fighting for your cause, and if you'll succeed if you are the one fighting for justice. This piece of propaganda can apply to any war. The most important thing to note is that having the support of God gives confidence and inspires more people to go out and be active.

Appeasement

Apologies tend to be hard to stomach, but appeasements would appear to be even worse. While politicians can publicize them as a diplomatic solution to an otherwise inflammatory problem, it would be more accurate to say that they are a preferred option for a lazy or inferior country. With an appeasement, the country can avoid having to mobilize any force, while slowly giving up ground and resources. In theory this results in satisfying the opponent's thirst for power, but in reality, it never works.

Seeing as appeasement is a sign of weakness or laziness, I never really use it in my life. My brothers aren't scary enough to fear, and I prefer to debate with my parents rather than submit to their will. Which doesn't work at all. I guess I need to trade strategies with those weak, lazy countries.

That's It?

At Menlo, the affluent community that we have is great for giving Luttickens lots of business even in these times of trouble. However, it would seem that a trend has started where people don't bring money and that just because someone has bought a bagel at Luttickens, that it obviously means that it is for everybody to share. "As I walked into the quad, I was bombarded with people asking for a bite or money." one student shared. So how do we take care of this problem? Well, it is really quite easy, give one person a bite and by appeasing one, you appease all and take care of the problem, hopefully.

Appeasement on Different Levels

Appeasement engenders our daily life, because it is usually the easy way out of a situation. It is also a way to maintain the peace, at least for the time being. On the smaller scale, we appease our friends and family by doing favors for one another. On the larger scale, as many people have said, we appease the demands of society. Appeasement on the smaller scale, like giving a car room instead of cutting them off, is generally thought of as courtesy. These minute details actually do influence our lives greatly. Some even believe that they reflect who we are as people. On the greater scale, appeasement can affect a situation to an even greater degree. For instance, the appeasement of nations can either lead to peace, or temporary peace with rising tension. We must be careful to asses the situation, because often times appeasement on this scale is a way to avoid the underlying conflict.