Ghosts of Rwanda is a film that finds itself stuck between the duality of globalization. On one hand, you have the increased awareness of the goings-on of other countries; on the other lies the reality of the cynical perspective: because Rwanda had no essential economic value for any country, its salvation could not be realized.
The "bleeding heart" archetype thrives in this environment; there is no reasonable, politically correct defense for leaving this situation the way it was. However the media coverage of the situation (or lack thereof) revealed the reality of the dominantly capitalist perspective of globalization. As the Rwandans suffered, the United States, along with other so-called 1st world countries, stood by idly. Habermas would envision a day where humanity, and the preservation thereof would take precedence over the economic implications. However, the idealism of this premise sets a precedent that would be simply impossible to overcome. As long as people exist within a sphere of their own Darwinian situation; that is, they function as pawns in the capitalist system, they cannot reasonably surmise a situation where helping people in Africa would help them in the long run.
Habermas' idea is strong and difficult to disagree with, however the reality of a capitalist-influenced humanity destroys any semblance of compassion for a non-economically viable country. Thus, while Habermas would interpret the film as a reasonably objective persepctive of the situation, he would also regret to inform the obvious moral relativism inherently projected by the developed countries.
However sad it may be, as long as people are not immediately positively influenced by a conflict, they are not inclined to participate in a rightful, humanistic outcome.
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