Introduction
In "Travel as a Political Act," renowned travel writer and historian Rick Steves takes us on a journey that goes far beyond the typical tourist experience. This book isn't about finding the best beaches or luxury hotels; instead, it's a guide to understanding the world through the eyes of others. Steves challenges readers to step out of their comfort zones and embrace travel as a means of personal growth and global understanding.
The book's central premise is that travel, when approached with an open mind and a willingness to engage with local cultures, can be a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and challenging our preconceptions. Steves draws on his extensive travel experiences, particularly in regions often misunderstood or overlooked by Western tourists, to illustrate how travel can broaden our perspectives and make us more informed global citizens.
Becoming a Modern-Day Jester
Steves introduces an intriguing concept early in the book: the idea of the traveler as a modern-day jester. In medieval times, jesters played a unique role in society. They had access to both the royal court and the common people, allowing them to bridge the gap between these two worlds. Jesters could tell the king what ordinary people were thinking, joking about, or complaining about, providing valuable insights that might otherwise never reach the ears of those in power.
Steves suggests that travelers can adopt a similar role in today's world. By immersing ourselves in different cultures and truly engaging with local people, we can gather valuable insights and perspectives that we can then share with our own communities back home. This approach to travel goes beyond mere sightseeing; it's about actively seeking to understand different ways of life and bringing that understanding back to our own societies.
To be an effective "travel jester," Steves emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind. This means being willing to try new things, even if they seem strange or uncomfortable at first. It might involve sampling unfamiliar foods, participating in local customs, or engaging in conversations with people whose views might be very different from our own. The goal is not just to observe, but to experience life as locals do, even if only for a short time.
This approach to travel can lead to profound insights. For example, Steves recounts how visiting Iran helped him understand why some people there accept the rulings of religious authorities, fearing that rejecting them might lead their children to embrace Western materialism. In El Salvador, he discovered that not everyone aspires to own luxury cars or live in fancy villas – a realization that challenged his own assumptions about universal desires and values.
Leaving Preconceptions Behind
One of the biggest obstacles to meaningful travel, according to Steves, is our own preconceptions. We all carry stereotypes and assumptions about other cultures, often without even realizing it. These preconceived notions can act as filters, coloring our perceptions and preventing us from truly seeing and understanding the places we visit.
Steves admits to his own struggles with this. For years, he harbored a belief that Europeans were arrogant snobs, overly proud of their cheeses and wines. It wasn't until he made a conscious effort to push past this preconception that he realized the truth: Europeans weren't showing off, they were simply proud of their traditions and eager to share what they valued with visitors.
Fear often lies at the root of our prejudices, especially when it comes to unfamiliar places or cultures. Steves acknowledges that feeling anxious about traveling to unknown destinations is natural. However, he warns against confusing this natural apprehension with unfounded fears often propagated by politicians or media for their own agendas. For instance, politicians might exaggerate the dangers posed by illegal immigrants to justify building a border wall, or overstate the threat of drug cartels to defend weapon sales to certain countries.
The antidote to these preconceptions and fears, Steves argues, is direct interaction with local people. More often than not, locals are delighted to share their culture with interested visitors. Steves recounts his experience in Ireland's Gaeltachtaí regions, where the Irish language is protected. The locals were thrilled to meet a traveler interested in their unique culture, eager to explain and share their traditions.
By approaching travel with an open mind and a willingness to engage with locals, we can move beyond stereotypes and gain a more nuanced understanding of the places we visit. This not only enriches our travel experiences but also helps us become more informed and empathetic global citizens.
Lessons from the Balkans
Steves dedicates a significant portion of the book to his travels in the Balkan Peninsula, a region rich in history and cultural complexity. This area, which includes countries like Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, offers valuable lessons about the lasting impact of historical events and the intricate interplay of ethnic and religious identities.
The author explains how the Balkan countries, once united under Yugoslavia, share a common ethnic background as South Slavs. This shared heritage is reflected in their languages – Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian – which were once unified under the common language of Serbo-Croatian. However, the breakup of Yugoslavia in the late 1980s and early 1990s led to these languages drifting apart and taking on separate identities.
Steves highlights how religion, more than language, divides the South Slavs: Orthodox Christians are called Serbs, Catholics are Croats, and Muslims are Bosniaks. This religious division plays a crucial role in the region's complex politics and social dynamics.
The author's travels through Bosnia-Herzegovina provide particularly poignant insights. He describes the autonomous entity known as Republika Srpska, a result of the 1995 peace treaty that ended the Bosnian War. This arrangement, which gave a degree of autonomy to a region dominated by Orthodox Serbs within Bosnia-Herzegovina, illustrates the delicate balance of power and identity in the area.
In the city of Trebinje, Steves observes how locals use flags as a subtle yet powerful means of communication. Croats proudly display their red and white checkered flag, while Serbs fly a flag featuring a cross and four C's (the first letter of "Serbian" in the Cyrillic alphabet). These flags, far from being mere decorations, are potent symbols of identity and allegiance. For some residents, the flag of the other community is as offensive as a swastika, highlighting the deep-seated tensions that still exist in the region.
Through these observations, Steves demonstrates how understanding a region's history is crucial for grasping its present-day realities. The complex interplay of ethnic, religious, and national identities in the Balkans serves as a microcosm for understanding similar dynamics in other parts of the world.
El Salvador: A Land Shaped by Colonialism and Civil War
Steves' journey through El Salvador offers readers a vivid illustration of how a country's past continues to shape its present. The very name of the country – "The Savior" in Spanish – is a testament to its colonial history, chosen by the Christian Spanish conquerors who displaced the indigenous population in 1524.
The author paints a stark picture of the colonial legacy in El Salvador. The indigenous people, he explains, were the biggest losers in this historical drama. Many were killed during the Spanish conquest, with survivors enslaved and branded like cattle. The colonists prevented them from growing their own food, instead forcing them to cultivate cash crops like indigo and coffee for the benefit of the Spanish crown.
Christianity, introduced by the colonizers, became the only permitted religion. Steves points out how priests taught the oppressed that obedience to their masters was the path to salvation, further entrenching the colonial power structure. Even after El Salvador gained independence in 1821, the situation for indigenous people barely improved. The Spanish colonists retained control, now free from the obligation to pay taxes to the Spanish crown.
The book then delves into more recent history, focusing on the figure of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Initially seen as a conservative who would protect the interests of the wealthy elite, Romero surprised everyone by becoming a vocal advocate for the poor. His stance aligned with liberation theology, a radical Christian movement that believed the Church should fight for the rights of the oppressed.
Steves recounts how Romero's assassination in 1980, along with the killing of dozens of people at his funeral, triggered a bloody civil war. This conflict, which pitted left-wing guerrillas against the US-backed government, lasted until 1992, leaving deep scars on the country's social and political landscape.
Through this historical narrative, Steves illustrates how understanding a country's past is crucial for comprehending its present challenges and complexities. The legacy of colonialism, the role of religion, and the impact of recent conflicts all contribute to shaping modern El Salvador, offering travelers rich insights into the forces that mold societies over time.
Contrasting Drug Policies: Europe vs. America
In his travels across Europe, Steves observed a markedly different approach to drug policy compared to the United States. This section of the book offers a fascinating look at how cultural attitudes and policy approaches can vary widely between nations, even when addressing the same social issues.
Steves notes that while both European countries and the US recognize drug addiction as a significant social problem, their strategies for addressing it differ considerably. In the US, the "war on drugs" has been the dominant approach since the 1970s, emphasizing criminalization and harsh penalties. In contrast, many European countries have adopted more nuanced policies.
The author points out that there's no single "European" approach to drug policy. Some countries, like Iceland and Greece, maintain strict enforcement of laws against marijuana use. Others, like the Netherlands, take a more relaxed stance. In the Netherlands, while marijuana use is technically illegal, police generally don't enforce these laws due to a social consensus that imprisonment for soft drug use causes more problems than it solves.
Despite these variations, Steves identifies a common thread in many European countries' approach to hard drugs: a focus on prevention and education rather than incarceration. This stems from a fundamental difference in perspective – many European countries view drug abuse primarily as a health issue rather than a criminal matter.
To illustrate this approach, Steves shares some creative policy solutions he encountered. In Switzerland, for example, public restrooms are equipped with special blue lights that make it difficult for drug users to find their veins, discouraging injection drug use in these spaces. The Swiss government also provides clean syringes to addicts – not to promote drug use, but to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS through shared needles.
These examples highlight how different cultural attitudes and policy approaches can lead to vastly different strategies for addressing common social issues. By exposing readers to these alternative approaches, Steves encourages us to question our own assumptions and consider whether there might be more effective ways to address challenges in our own societies.
Iran: Beyond the Headlines
Steves' travels to Iran offer some of the book's most eye-opening insights, challenging many Western preconceptions about this often-misunderstood country. His first visit in 1978, followed by a return trip in 2008, allowed him to witness firsthand the dramatic changes brought about by the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
The author describes how the revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, overthrew the US-backed monarchy of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. This seismic shift was evident everywhere upon his return – from street names changed from "Shah" to "Khomeini," to banknotes featuring the new leader's portrait.
Steves explains the unique power structure that emerged in post-revolution Iran. While the country has an elected president, real power lies with the "Supreme Leader," a religious cleric. After Khomeini's death in 1989, this position was taken up by Ali Khamenei.
One of the most striking aspects of Steves' account is the contrast between the official government stance and the attitudes of ordinary Iranians. While the government maintains an anti-American posture, with murals and posters calling for "death to America" visible in Tehran, Steves found that most ordinary Iranians welcomed him with warmth and curiosity.
This disconnect between government rhetoric and popular sentiment is a crucial insight. Steves realized that the bombastic statements of politicians rarely reflect the views and behaviors of regular people. He attributes the warm welcome he received partly to a traditional Iranian attitude that regards all travelers as a gift from God.
These experiences in Iran underscore one of the book's central themes: the importance of looking beyond official narratives and media portrayals to understand a country and its people. By engaging directly with ordinary Iranians, Steves was able to gain a much more nuanced and positive view of the country than what is typically presented in Western media.
The Value of Historical Understanding
Throughout "Travel as a Political Act," Steves repeatedly emphasizes the importance of understanding a country's history to truly grasp its present-day realities. He quotes Martin Luther King Jr.'s observation that while we rarely make history, we are all made by history. This insight, Steves argues, is crucial when trying to understand unfamiliar cultures and societies.
The author suggests that before visiting a new country, travelers should make an effort to learn about its history. This historical context can make the present less bewilderingly unfamiliar and help visitors understand the forces that have shaped the country and its people.
For instance, understanding the legacy of colonialism in El Salvador helps explain current social and economic inequalities. Knowledge of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s illuminates the complex ethnic and religious dynamics in countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina. In Iran, awareness of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and its aftermath provides crucial context for understanding the country's current political system and its relations with the West.
This emphasis on historical understanding aligns with Steves' overall approach to travel as a means of breaking down boundaries and gaining deeper insights into other cultures. By encouraging travelers to delve into a country's past, he provides a tool for more meaningful and enlightening travel experiences.
Challenging Our Assumptions
One of the most valuable aspects of travel, according to Steves, is its ability to challenge our assumptions and broaden our perspectives. Throughout the book, he shares numerous examples of how his own preconceptions were challenged and transformed through his travels.
For instance, his experiences in Iran forced him to confront the disconnect between government rhetoric and the attitudes of ordinary people. His travels in Europe led him to reassess his views on drug policy and social welfare systems. In the Balkans, he gained a deeper understanding of how historical events continue to shape present-day realities.
Steves argues that this process of having our assumptions challenged is not always comfortable, but it is essential for personal growth and for developing a more nuanced understanding of the world. He encourages readers to embrace these moments of cognitive dissonance as opportunities for learning and self-reflection.
The Political Act of Travel
The title of the book, "Travel as a Political Act," encapsulates Steves' core message. He argues that thoughtful, engaged travel is inherently political because it challenges our worldviews, exposes us to different ways of life, and encourages us to question the status quo in our own societies.
By engaging with people from different cultures, learning about their histories and current challenges, and experiencing their ways of life, we become more informed and empathetic global citizens. This, in turn, can influence our political views and actions back home.
Steves suggests that this kind of travel can be a powerful force for positive change. By breaking down barriers of misunderstanding and fostering person-to-person connections across cultures, travel can contribute to greater international understanding and cooperation.
Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Travel
In concluding "Travel as a Political Act," Rick Steves reaffirms his belief in the transformative power of thoughtful, engaged travel. He argues that by approaching travel with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a desire to understand others, we can gain invaluable insights into the world and ourselves.
The book's central message is that travel, when done right, is about much more than just seeing new places or having fun experiences. It's about challenging our preconceptions, broadening our perspectives, and developing a more nuanced understanding of the world and its diverse cultures.
Steves encourages readers to become "travel jesters" – gathering insights from their journeys and sharing them with their communities back home. By doing so, we can contribute to greater cross-cultural understanding and challenge the simplistic narratives often presented by media and politicians.
The author's experiences in places like the Balkans, El Salvador, and Iran serve as powerful examples of how travel can illuminate complex historical and cultural dynamics. They demonstrate how understanding a country's past is crucial for grasping its present realities.
Ultimately, Steves presents travel as a powerful tool for personal growth and global citizenship. By stepping out of our comfort zones, engaging with local cultures, and seeking to understand different perspectives, we can become more informed, empathetic, and engaged members of our global community.
As we close the book, we're left with a call to action: to approach our travels not just as tourists, but as curious, open-minded learners eager to understand and connect with the world around us. In doing so, we can turn our journeys into truly transformative experiences – for ourselves, for the people we meet, and potentially, for our wider communities back home.