8/13-8/19: Vacationing, where the heat's oppressive and so is the government...

Is there a "correct" way to travel in a country ruled by an oppressive government? Or is the correct way not to travel there at all? One argument is that by traveling to the country, you are tacitly supporting the government with each dollar spent. The opposing argument is that travelers raise international awareness of the situation, thus forcing change. What do you think? Can you travel to such a country in a manner that benefits the citizens but not the government? How?

Here's what Tripod members had to say:

formicacid: this is really dependent upon the exact country and nature of the oppression. The traveler must ask a few questions: why is the government considered oppressive? how will the general populace react to my presence? if i spend money in this country, who will feel the effect of it more: the people or the government? (people in oppressed countries have to make money too). In my travels around the world, i have found that the fastest way to raise U.S. awareness of oppression in another country is to have an american die in that country. only then do americans start to care about other places (though usually only to bomb them, not worrying that other real people live there). If you really want to be careful in another country, just do some research before you travel. find out what's going on in recent political events and what the official stance of your country is towards the country you are going to visit. It'll only make your journey safer and maybe you can even contribute something to that country.

mags: I can't say that I've ever traveled in a "oppressive" country, but my feeling would be that if you are able to mix with the general population while you are there, you could share with them news of the outside world. I also think that the definition of "an oppressive country" might change once you have spent some time there. I feel sure that much of our understanding of these countries stems from the media and the government and their own various biases. Perhaps by being there in person, you will allow the citizens of thee countries to tell their own stories.

earthcrone: There are good arguments to be made for each approach. (Is anyone old enough to remember "The whole world is watching"?) But my idealism is tempered with a more insular view as I have grown older... how it would affect me personally. I have heard tales of tourists who have been arrested in some of these countries, and most have been colored with real horror stories. For my own safety, I would not travel to China, to certain mid-Eastern countries, or to some South American countries, for instance. Besides, look around you. There are human rights abuses here in our beloved USA; check with Amnesty International for specific examples. Let's clean house here first.

gustavo: First: what is an "oppressive government"? here in Mexico, many of us think that we have such type of government,really oppresive. But they are supported by their counterparts in the USA, so the question is... Is the Zedillo government oppressive and their supporters too? Besides that, it is important for me to be in touch with friends and people from others countries, so I invite you to travel here and talk with the people, not to stay in the hotel or in the beach only in contact with other americans. Meet the people, go to the tianguis (market), support them if posible, and by the way be careful about the corruption in the government offices and the militarization in some places like Chiapas and Guerrero...

naving: Is the definition of oppressive the deprivation of human rights or is it the condonement of the deprivation of human rights. I believe that both are equally opressive and therefore we must look upon all govenments that either condone (ally themeselves with oppressive govenments) or actually oppress their people as equally bad. Going further doesn't the same logic apply to companies who make use of political strife? If i was determined NOT to be affiliated with ANY oppressive person/country/anything then i would:
a) Stop drinking Coke (they employ child labor in Burma)
b) Get out of the US (they have fought on the side of many dictators in proxy wars)
c) Go to a place with no people.....
There will always be oppression and whether you are in an oppressive country for bussiness or pleasure you are a witness to that oppression. Without witnesses how will the world know?

grok: While I have sympathy for the people that have to live under the conditions that can range from mildly politically oppressive up to total squalor, I can't imagine why people would actively search for these situations for a vacation..... Of course, if your desire it to help the citizens of these nations, then you will have to deal with the reality and the possible consequences of pissing off the wrong people... The bottom line is to be an informed traveler if entering anything other than a "major" NATO or similar country....

NJlindsay: Why would I go there anyway? I assume that we all like the country that we are currently living in, and under that assumption, I ask Why would you wanna travel anyway.........and if push comes to shove you can ALWAYS VISIT CANADA! Thanks, this response from a CANADIAN.