Mountains_Beyond_Mountains

Hobbesian Theory in Mountains Beyond Mountains Thesis: Outside influences such as the environment, political corruption, and widespread disease may cause us prescribe to Hobbesian theory. However, because the efforts of Paul Farmer and his staff outlined in Kidder’s book Mountains Beyond Mountains, there is proof that we are, in actuality, a post-Hobbesian society. Thomas Hobbs believed that people are naturally individualistic. Hobbesian theory is often used to describe our current sociological norms. However, in reading Tracey Kidder’s biography of Dr. Paul Farmer in Mountains Beyond Mountains one will find that the world is made up of people who do not simply focus on themselves. Often, people put themselves before others and in turn change entire cultures. This is apparent through the work of Farmer and his coworkers at the Partners in Health organization. Through his dedication to helping those less fortunate, he has found a way to “lend a voice to the voiceless” (74) and give hope to Haiti - something that is completely contradictory to Hobbesian theory. Our current society uses negative images of individualism such as Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme to falsely have us assume that we are Hobbesian peoples. Farmer is an example of a post-Hobbesian individual living in a Hobbesian world. It is easy to assume that our current society prescribes to Hobbesian theory. However, in reality it is simply that we highlight the individualistic aspects of society. There are several examples within the book to show the Hobbesian influence on the world: the environment, political corruption, and widespread disease. First, the environment is an obvious factor of how people (especially in Haiti) are forced to be individualistic. With obvious geographic borders such as mountains blocking their opportunity to interact with others, Haitians are limited to interaction with their family and town. A prime example of the challenge that the geography creates is Haiti’s National Highway 3. The book explains how the supposed main road “…seemed designed to torture wheels, hooves and feet” (18). This limited not only communication, but trade as well. By having a main road which was essentially impassable, hundreds of people are left without goods necessary for their health and well-being. This is similar to the challenges Europeans faced in the 1500’s. Europe consisted of principalities which were divided according to geographical constraints. This caused extremely limited trade and required them to be extremely self-serving. By the 1900’s Europe had improved their trade through advances in their geographic infrastructure allowing them to share goods and services beyond their borders. Currently, Haiti, just like Europe in the 1500’s, struggles to maintain an effective trade structure because of geographic constraint. The country will remain an example of Europe in the 1500’s until the geographic infrastructure is improved. Until then, Haitians will be perceived as a Hobbesian society. Second, the political corruption in Haiti, which led to economic failure, shows obvious reason why any individual would want to focus primarily on personal success. Before Baby Doc’s departure in the mid 1980’s, he “used [American aid] to keep to himself and the Haitian elite in luxury and power and spent nothing on things like roads and transportation” (73). This gave no reason for the Haitian poor (the majority of the population) a reason to trust their leader or their government. This therefore feeds the Hobbesian theory, forcing Haitians to think in an individualistic way. When Baby Doc left, the Haitian army ruled the country from 1986 to 1990. “A lot of peasants, it seemed, had imagined their lives would improve when Baby Doc left” (97). However, governmental supremacy was progressively worse. Kidder continually references the challenges that Farmer faces when trying to return to Haiti due to the governmental constraints. By not allowing Farmer into the country, the government continues to force people to fend for themselves. Similarly, “the World Health Organization had declared MDR treatment largely ineffective” (170). However, the DOTS program, established specifically to cure MDR has already proven that treatment can be successful. Farmer’s reference to “a long defeat” does not refer to the treatment that is being provided to the poor, but the corruption within the WHO. Lastly, the widespread disease in Haiti causes the people to often fend for themselves. Farmer attempts to fix this through his commitment to Partners in Health, but support from outside organizations is ineffective. However, without outside support, Farmer’s organization cannot grow to the capacity necessary to effectively treat widespread diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, and HIV/AIDS. With such deadly diseases being so common, people of Haiti are once again forced to fend for themselves. Haitians lack the ability to address the issue of widespread disease thus causing us to assume that they prescribe to Hobbesian views. In summary, outside factors such as the environment, political corruption, and widespread disease are simply outside factors that influence the Hobbesian view of Haiti. But Farmer and other people mentioned in the book are true examples of why, despite these outside factors, people are genuinely good. Farmer reaffirms this when he stated, “The goal was to improve the lives of others, not oneself” (244). His work with the Haitian poor is admirable and the results are remarkable. This is apparent in the book through efforts of several characters. Tom White is a prominent investor since 1987 when he “hired a lawyer to draw up the papers, creating a public charity in Boston called Partners in Health and the corresponding ‘sister organization in Haiti, Zanmi Lasante” (99). Without the help of White, the organization would never be able to help as many people as they have. Jim Kim, Farmer’s wingman, the driving force behind reducing the price of necessary drugs to treat MDR TB and other diseases. For several years, he negotiated with drug companies and the US government to reduce prices of a drug in high demand. He believed that if he could “scare the world, and…do this project right, [it] can have a global impact.”(143). This kept the organization going by keeping the price low so they could help more people. His efforts not only helped the people who need the drugs, but other organizations who are attempting to help the poor as well. Father Jack was an example of one individual who is willing to give up their own life for the good of others. He proved that people are, at the core, post –Hobbesian. When working in a church in the United States, he was encouraged by Farmer to expand upon Partners in Health in Lima, Peru. The project proved successful, and helped hundreds of people. Even after Father Jack’s death, the project continues to help the sick poor of Peru. These men’s ideas are “still spreading, like ripples in a pond” (296). Despite all the obstacles the people of Haiti faced, the patients of the Partners in Health organization remained optimistic. In a country where poverty is apparent, nutrition is poor, and hope is transparent, Farmer’s patients are grateful for everything. A true example is Farmer’s patient Mami Mwen. When she was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the spine, she could have easily lost hope. However, although “there [was] nothing to be done for [her]…she [went to Farmer] for food and company” (26). Mwen’s hope showed that despite outside conditions, people can truly be good. Farmer and his colleagues are examples of post-Hobbesian individuals living in a preconceived Hobbesian world. Geography, political corruption, and widespread disease are simply outside factors that may cause us to accept the Hobbesian theory. However, there are hundreds of people beyond those who work for Partners in Health, who prove every day that we are a charitable society. Mountains Beyond Mountains is latent with examples of why Hobbesian theory is unrealistic. [pic]