How Similar are Countries To The Stereotypical High School Tropes? Very. For Example, Some of them Would be the Perfect Regina George Squad AKA the Smug, Well-Liked Popular Squad that Everyone Secretly Hates.

WRITEUP

Neha Shibu

4/18/20243 min read

When you’re stuck in a constant cycle, it can get tough, but when you open your eyes and ears to the world, there’s so much you can do. I wish that were the case when it came to international trade and organisations regulating them. Unfortunately, it’s not because there seems to be a whole lot of corruption involved.

If you’ve ever wondered why the change of status from “developing” to “developed” is so slow, well it’s time to return to high school. The one thing high school will forever be known for is its popularity scandal and the hierarchy. I can’t seem to potentially understand whether reality created the showbiz or if the dramatic scenes on media created the vicious thing. To be fair, both of them might have contributed to each other leading to a symbiotic relationship but what can’t be denied is the fact that the same thought process is seen even when it comes to countries of the world.

Think of the most developed countries in the world like the UK, USA, and France- yes those ones as the popular crew. They’re loud, they’re obnoxious to some extent and let’s be frank, they don’t really mind showing off how “entitled” and “great” they are. They epitomize everything a nation would want to be powerful and wanted. These are at the top of your high school hierarchy. They control everything that’s going on and everything’s their business. When it comes to playing for their own gain, they’re practically masters in this field. Whether it be education or work, everyone flocks here no matter how inhumane the treatment they receive there. Of course, they’re the ones to stay abreast with the latest trends not only in fashion, technology or social media but also when it comes to abstract concepts. That sounds just like everyone’s favourite mean girlRegina George. Everyone is seen fawning around her- from car commercials in Japan to getting punched by hereverything she did just felt ‘awesome.’ Remeber just how manipulative she can be? She has group and she has rules- but those rules don't matter when she’s the one breaking them, do they?

Everything happens here and this closed off “elite” group won’t just allow anyone to enter their private circle right? There’s like a margin dividing the “popular” ones from the not-sopopular ones. Conjuring what creates the difference is opening Pandora’s worthless box. Well, in the case of countries, one of the elements of this Pandora’s box is the WTO. It’s simple. It acts all sweet and helpful but then it stabs you in the back. Does the behaviour seem awfully stereotypically and familiar? Well- yes, while the WTO forces developing countries to let go of their barriers, it simply does not do so for developed countries. Consequently, these countries already have “advantages” but they get to use all their privileges while crumpling those of others. So while these developing countries “develop” more, the ones who don’t make the mark, simply do not. Just like someone would never really be accepted into the popular group once the division has happened, the same goes for developed countries.

Let’s discuss bullying too, shall we? What happens when some “cool” kid alienates some other student and declares them as a “misfit”? Obviously, some mysterious force takes over and most of us don’t act on our emotions, we single out this student and they never really break free of their stereotype. Surprise surprise, that happens in the real world scenario too, doesn’t it? If one of the top-notch countries singles a not-so-out there country, everything breaks loose for them.

Why we might forgive the USA for bombing Japan, we never forgive the 9/11 attacks and the Islamaphobia it caused. Like honestly, America wronged Japan and Vietnam and yet we don’t call Americans terrorists while anyone who wears a Hijab or an identification sign that they belong to a particular religion is harassed for being one. Are stereotypes and prejudice also based on popularity propaganda too? Honestly yes. If you need more proof, why are Asians bullied for having a different type of eye, when clearly the situation could have been just the opposite. Why are American and British accents loved and adored, while a Latino or Indian accent is mocked? There’s literally no difference except for the fact that is a sheer example of singling out and because the popularity hierarchy demands “monkey see, monkey do,” we’re left with stereotypes. The similarity is really there, right?

Admit it, you will never place a country like Singapore, UAE, New Zealand, Japan, Norway or Switzerland in the same group as the UK, USA, or France. It’s a subconscious thing but these countries are not only highly developed and at the top of the game but they even outdo the so- called “front runners” in many fields. Whether it be an Expo or even the most discussed Olympics, there are just some countries we talk about more than others- simply because they’re popular. And while everyone can be doublefaced and malicious, the similarity between your typical high school scene and country behaviours is uncanny. Speaking off, it is intriguing to think of the country that will be Cady Heron- she messed up the high school order after. Well only the future will reveal the country that’ll cause the world order to rumble or perhaps ‘fetch’ would happen and everything would stay the way it is.

No offence but Sorry, not Sorry.