Real world political issues/problems discussed in One Piece.

marcosRz

The idea of this thread is to make a list and discuss political problems/issues in One Piece that we can correlate to real world problems/issues. The scope of the problems that we want to discuss, are the ones that correlate to large past/current events in our world. The final goal is to see the deep part of One Piece and how Oda solves or treat these problems (hey, maybe we can use Oda solution to the problems hehe).

In my mind, two issues that are explicit contextualised in One Piece are dispute for the holy land (Skypea) and racism (Fishermans Island). Let's start with the former.

Problem: Dispute of holy land by skypeans and shandorians
Relates to: Dispute of holy land by israelis and palestines
Location: Upper Yard - 神の島（アッパーヤード） - (Kami no Shima,_ literally translated as "Island of God")_
Arc: Jaya
–--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interpretation: Soon

PS: Sorry if my grammar is not adequate, English is not my native language.

AppleSauce

World Government Corruption

http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=9604&page=29&p=2055511&highlight=#post2055511

That thread might Discuss most of what you mentioned.

However Your thread might Expand it if the mods allow it.

Monkey King

This thread will be awesome, though probably not quite for the reasons the OP intended.

Also

@marcosRz:

Problem: Dispute of holy land by skypeans and shandorians
Relates to: Dispute of holy land by israelis and palestines
Location: Upper Yard - 神の島（アッパーヤード） - (Kami no Shima,_ literally translated as "Island of God")_
Arc: Jaya
–--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interpretation: Soon

Spoiler: It will be about Israel/Palestine.

King Cannon

This post is deleted!

Robby

Racism. There was just an arc about it. Or something.

SuperJew

@Monkey:

Spoiler: It will be about Israel/Palestine.

stays the fuck away from this thread

King Cannon

Does Social Stratification count? Luffy's flashback after the Marineford War dealt heavily with this.

Monkey King

At best this thread will be an interesting and educational look into Oda's influences and research.
Or at best this thread will be a hilarious battlefield filled with idiot morons posting a mixture of badly misinformed history and attempts to convince us Oda is writing about Illuminati conspiracies.

Either way we all win!

Bill

Censorship/propaganda Genocide
World Government destroys every piece of information that could expose them, the world government used propaganda to demonize the people of Ohara who studied the poneglyph , and kill them all.

Ohara incident for example.

Monkey King

Ohara isn't really genocide though, they were never depicted as an ethnic group or anything like that. It was more like a government destroying and slaughtering a single city (in this case island) because of a high level intelligence leak.

Bill

@Monkey:

Ohara isn't really genocide though, they were never depicted as an ethnic group or anything like that. It was more like a government destroying and slaughtering a single city (in this case island) because of a high level intelligence leak.

Okay whatever Zeph…...

Then how about this.

Reactionary Racial supremacy: Arlong, Hodi and his gang is to the One Piece world as, as the The New Black Panther Party is to the real world?

Arlong is Elijah Muhammad I think.

Their flames of hatred dampened by human fear and oppression(cheesy) Eh…Or am I wrong?

Comparing Malcom X to Arlong would be stupid he wasn't that extreme.

Gliblord

I'm interested in how much censorship there is in the OP world. Clearly anything related to the Void Century is ruthlessly censored, but newspapers seemed to be able to print their stories about Luffy, Rayleigh and Jinbe storming Marineford once again, without any censorship (you'd think the World Government wouldn't want news spreading that Luffy invaded Marineford and paid remembrance to Ace, humanizing them).

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Monkey:

attempts to convince us Oda is writing about Illuminati conspiracies.

God I hope not. If that happens allow me to tear through them, please.

Bill

I think Akainu(and world Gov.) represents that darker extreme of censorship, like the some backbone of it like paranoia.

I mean the bastard destroyed a refugee ship just because he felt their might be a feasible scholar in there.

Goddamn Akainu is such a fascinating character.

blue-san

@Monkey:

At best this thread will be an interesting and educational look into Oda's influences and research.
Or at best this thread will be a hilarious battlefield filled with idiot morons posting a mixture of badly misinformed history and attempts to convince us Oda is writing about Illuminati conspiracies.

Either way we all win!

I beg to differ. This thread will contain bunch of posts where an individual will be claiming Oda took some theme from some part of the world he most probably did not.

Like the Palestine and Israeli connection.

It should be like, people doing research and than providing the forum with connections and than FORUM not individual making the deduction and sometime that does bring out great result, like the case was with the Poneglyphs

Shergal

I feel like when the true history is finally revealed, this thread will have much more life… I expect WWII-like exploits, and a token "Japan pride" subtle reference in it. It's a manga after all.

Dryish

Well to be fair the Israel-Palestine relation to Skypiea has been explained for so many times already that I don't see why someone should write a lengthy essay about it right here, right now, especially when the opening post is saying that it is being researched (or interpreted, whatever) as we speak.

Besides, for anyone who actually knows about the Israel-Palestine history that is something that should be as obvious as is the fact that we're all breathing air and not just any unknown mixture of different gases. It is, of course, possible that Oda came up with the plot of the entire Skypiea arc all by himself, but it's hard to think so when the similarities between the real life political bungle and an One Piece arc are so strikingly clear. If you don't see it, I suggest you go read some history and only come back when your eyes have opened.

ON2BetterThangz

Pretty sure FI = civil right movement. skypeia inhabitants were clearly white people that take land away. Enis Lobby the secerts that the government hide from us. Thriller Bark is um…

Dryish

@ON2BetterThangz:

Thriller Bark is um…

The scary clowns' scheme to take over the world? Those people are really horrible, I tell you.
Even the secret services were so startled by them and their plans that they chose not to tell anyone when they raided their headquarters (as did the SHs) and put an end to their dreams of turning the earth into one huge horror themepark.

GreatLiver

Buggy's knack for recruiting the Impel Down escapees is a commentary on the growing prevalence of Juggalos.

bartholemew kuma

Time to sit back, relax, and come back tomorrow!

ponx

What I find interesting about the current arc is of course the issue of racialism (note: I'm not using the term racism, because that's not what I'm particularly interested in). In this arc, Oda gives us 2 different perspective on it.

1. Humans perspective :
We humans have struggled with this issue for as long as history remembers, though racialism is inevitable, racism isn't the answer. I find the humans attitude towards fishmen somewhat understandable (though not justifiable), in that fishmen is an entirely different species. Not just a different race, but anyway what I find interesting is my 2nd point so I won't dig in to this any deeper.

2. Fishmen perspective :
Now, what interests me is that Oda is using the Fishmen to present his own ideal world where there are no racism. Racialism also exists in Fishman Island, there are Fishmen and Mermen. Now, in the real world, this alone is of course enough to spark racism. But not in Fishman Island, there are no different treatment between those 2 different races.
The explanation is provided by Den: what "species" u r born as is random; as long as the gene is inherited, even if its somewhere in ur distant ancestor, there is a chance it might pass on to u. So because of this condition, they don't actually know the term Racism until it was brought upon them by humans.
And I think this is Oda's dream world of no racism. If only humans are also born like this then we won't have any racial issues.

Hoops

world goverment = military junta

destruction of ohara = resembles the khmer rouge OR as an alternative the cultural revolution

dragon = opposition party, maybe in the context of a military junta, resembling the NLD in Burma OR if you want it simpler he might also be che guevara/Castro (but che/castro was fighting intruders, while the NLD party is against their own Leaders)

shichibukai = yakuza (by the gov "accepted" criminals, still doing their creepy stuff (slave trade on SA), and keeping "little" gangs (other pirates) out of town)

Zkaiser

I took Skypeia as the much more simple "White people stole America from the Indians."

ON2BetterThangz

Dragon is like a marcus Garvey or bin laden. Both a revolutionary and a terrorist in the same breath.Also he reminds me of a Noah/harriet tubman type. Since anyone that wants salvatoin or freedom are welcomed by him.

Bill

@ON2BetterThangz:

Dragon is like a marcus Garvey or bin laden. Both a revolutionary and a terrorist in the same breath.Also he reminds me of a Noah/harriet tubman type. Since anyone that wants salvatoin or freedom are welcomed by him.

Uh no…..
especially the latter......

ON2BetterThangz

@Bill:

Uh no…..
especially the latter......

Saying uh no. Isn't an argument or a contradiction even. He's definently a terrorist, I doubt he's never done any attack on a world government owned island or some type of jurisdiction. I mean even his son took down Enis Lobby and broke out of Impel Down. What do you think Dragon is doing? Twiddling his thumbs.

Baou Zakurga

@Bill:

Uh no…..
especially the latter......

Dragon is more like Guy Fawkes

Bill

@ON2BetterThangz:

Saying uh no. Isn't an argument or a contradiction even. He's definently a terrorist, I doubt he's never done any attack on a world government owned island or some type of jurisdiction. I mean even his son took down Enis Lobby and broke out of Impel Down. What do you think Dragon is doing? Twiddling his thumbs.

Do you even know what a terrorist is?

Dragon is more of a radical revolutionary, the guy is going against a oppressive government that's willing to destroy an entire island to prevent dark secrets of them being exposed. That's willing to kill babies if they carry any dangerous lineages…...

Osama Bin laden was a fanatical religious extremist that killed a thousand people, mostly innocent civilians. The differences go on and on....

Your making vague connections that aren't literally there.

Dragon is more like Che Guevara then he is Osama Bin Laden.

ON2BetterThangz

@Bill:

Do you know what terrorist is?

Dragon is more of a radical revolutionary, the guy is going against a oppressive government that's willing to destroy an entire island to prevent dark secrets of them being exposed. That's willing to kill babies if they carry any dangerous lineages…...

Osama Bin laden was fanatical religious extremist that killed a thousand people, mostly innocent civilians. The differences go on and on....

Your making vague connections that aren't literally there.

Dragon is more like Che Guevara then he is Osama Bin Laden.

America isn't an oppresive government. Bin laden is just a lose connection to terrorism that I'm using. He is a terroist that's much is certain he does use fear to control/ manipulate the government. Otherwise they wouldn't fear his bloodline or name. I could see if he was fighting for a side, or person but know he directly opposes the WG. You can't use the fact that he's likable or that you like him to combat the fact that he uses terror to control others.

Do people fear him [check]
Does he use power as away to gain objective[check]

Bill

@ON2BetterThangz:

America isn't an oppresive government.

I never claimed it was…..

Bin laden is just a lose connection to terrorism that I'm using. He is a terroist that's much is certain he does use fear to control/ manipulate the government. Otherwise they wouldn't fear his bloodline or name. I could see if he was fighting for a side, or person but know he directly opposes the WG. You can't use the fact that he's likable or that you like him to combat the fact that he uses terror to control others.

Dragon is not a terrorist in any way, the government fears him because he is igniting the flames of rebellion against their oppressive rule.
I guess from their propaganda he might be considered a terrorist but the actual man has little to no connection to terrorism, at least not on the level of terrorism your comparing him to
You'd be better off with Che, than Bin Laden. Dragon is more of a Freedom Fighter than a terriost.

Do people fear him [check]

So… people feared Malcom X does that mean he was a terroist?

Does he use power as away to gain objective[check]

oh boy…..

Demon Rin

@Zkaiser:

I took Skypeia as the much more simple "White people stole America from the Indians."

Yeah, this… especially because he drew the Shandorans like Native Americans... in tee-pees and with feathers and the like...

Pookiez

@Bill:

Dragon is more like Che Guevara then he is Osama Bin Laden.

Was just thinking that.

ON2BetterThangz

@Bill:

I never claimed it was…..

Dragon is not a terrorist in any way, the government fears him because he is igniting the flames of rebellion against their oppressive rule.
I guess from their propaganda he might be considered a terrorist but the actual man has little to no connection to terrorism, at least not on the level of terrorism your comparing him to
You'd better off with Che, not Bin Laden.

oh boy…..

I'll stick with Bin laden.

Cyan D. Funk

When we reach the epilogue of One Piece, all the hip teenagers in Sabaody will be wearing Dragon shirts ironically.

Big_Bad_Lith

@ON2BetterThangz:

Dragon is like a marcus Garvey or bin laden. Both a revolutionary and a terrorist in the same breath.Also he reminds me of a Noah/harriet tubman type. Since anyone that wants salvatoin or freedom are welcomed by him.

Marcus Garvey
Osama Bin Laden
Harriet Tubman
Monkey D. Dragon

What do all of these people have have in common? Aside from being mentioned in one of the most inaccurate posts I've ever seen, not much.

Seriously, I'm almost more offended that you think Garvey was a revolutionary and a terrorist than that you think Dragon is like Bin Laden. You know who else you should've thrown in there? Lenin, that's who. He's a guy who had some opinions once, right?

Zkaiser

@Bill:

Dragon is not a terrorist in any way, the government fears him because he is igniting the flames of rebellion against their oppressive rule.
I guess from their propaganda he might be considered a terrorist but the actual man has little to no connection to terrorism, at least not on the level of terrorism your comparing him to
You'd be better off with Che, than Bin Laden. Dragon is more of a Freedom Fighter than a terriost.

That is false. Whether someone is a revolutionary or a terrorist depends on the person evaluating them. The government and marines see Dragon as a terrorist and those who he helps see him as a revolutionary. There is no refuting this very simple concept.

Sonic Youth

Cyan D. Funk

Dragon's a terrorist if he loses to the government, and a revolutionary if he wins.

Gliblord

@Cyan:

When we reach the epilogue of One Piece, all the hip teenagers in Sabaody will be wearing Dragon shirts ironically.

Don't forget all the cool cats lining up for the Dragon brand smokes (THE brand for nonconformists, available in Grove 11 or bugger off)

AppleSauce

Looks like it's time for my favortie Page of the Manga.

JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

!
Those at the Top Determine Whats Wrong and Right.

Thunder Luffy

I just want to ad something a terrorist is someone who in the end loses the battle and a revolutionary is someone who wins
this has been proven in our human history more then a hundred time

And I would also like to mention, I see dragon more as a freedom fighting/revolutionary my reasoning for this is he doesn't care who he saves or who followers him as-long as he cane save them.

the person I would compare with dragon would be someone like Nelson Mandela
it isn't a perfect comparison because Mandela fought for the black people but still it's one of the closest one i personally think

wolfwood

Dragon's got a face full of prison tats, he's obviously some sort of violent lunatic.

Tsukishima

@Hoops:

world goverment = military junta

Speaking about the World Government, I really wonder how the main representatives were chosen. I don't know for how long the Five Elders are running, but they were already in charge of the World Government 20 years ago… I really don't think all the country in the WG would accept such an organization if they didn't have any mean to regulate its power.

Thunder Luffy

@wolfwood:

Dragon's got a face full of prison tats, he's obviously some sort of violent lunatic.

Haha loving it :D

Bill

@Zkaiser:

That is false. Whether someone is a revolutionary or a terrorist depends on the person evaluating them. The government and marines see Dragon as a terrorist and those who he helps see him as a revolutionary. There is no refuting this very simple concept.

''at least not on the level of terrorism your comparing him to''

Even in my mind a terrorist usually attacks and kill innocents. Dragon is directly attacking the Gov. he's resistant to their forms of domination over the world.

As far I'm concerned the World Gov. has never labeled him a 'terrorist' within the story just a 'criminal' a very dangerous one at that. They see him a major force that can jumpstart a global uprising against them but not really a terrorist, at least in my view of a terrorist.

He's more of a freedom Fighter in my mind. His organization ain't the IRA that's for sure.

wolfwood

Depending on how you view it he's not really attacking the actual world goverment, he's attacking the mostly independent countries that make up the alliance.

For instance the alabastan army serving under cobra would be the group who would be cut down by Dragon's forces if he choose to conquer that country, not the marines or the world goverments agents.

But eh he's a guy with an army who topples regional rulers all around the world, that's about all we know about him. No use talking about whether he's the messiah or just Alexander the great.

Bill

lol. Well I guess I'll need to reread some parts of the manga, need to refresh my memory.

Monkey King

@Hoops:

destruction of ohara = resembles the khmer rouge OR as an alternative the cultural revolution

What?? No. Neither one of those are anything like the Ohara thing.
If anything, Hodi's government was looking kind of Khmer Rouge like, but that's not saying much.

Oda hasn't had anything like the Cultural Revolution show up, wish he did.

shichibukai = yakuza (by the gov "accepted" criminals, still doing their creepy stuff (slave trade on SA), and keeping "little" gangs (other pirates) out of town)

They're based on the real life Buccaneers.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@AppleSauce:

Looks like it's time for my favortie Page of the Manga.

JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

! http://i21.mangareader.net/one-piece/556/one-piece-742395.jpg
Those at the Top Determine Whats Wrong and Right.

No that's up to the individual.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Zkaiser:

I took Skypeia as the much more simple "White people stole America from the Indians."

It's dealing with the whole "Two peoples with claims to a land area" theme going on that simply isn't relevant to modern American/Indian politics. Unlike the Palestinian situation.

ON2BetterThangz

@Big_Bad_Lith:

Marcus Garvey
Osama Bin Laden
Harriet Tubman
Monkey D. Dragon

What do all of these people have have in common? Aside from being mentioned in one of the most inaccurate posts I've ever seen, not much.

Seriously, I'm almost more offended that you think Garvey was a revolutionary and a terrorist than that you think Dragon is like Bin Laden. You know who else you should've thrown in there? Lenin, that's who. He's a guy who had some opinions once, right?

I didn't say they have anything In common. I was just naming people that make up his acts. Harriet tubman freed people from oppresion in the still of the night, Marcus Garvey believed in the back to africa movement which would bring black people to power under their own influence. Similar to Dragon to the point that he obviously is taking Islands from the marines and governing them meaning eventually the citizens will have to govern themselves. In short, power to the people, sort of deal going on their. Bin Laden is a leader of a militant group that attacks the government. Dragon is a leader of a millitant group that attacks the government.

Che is like Dragon how? Name some examples of things he's done that are like Che. Hell show me a picture of dragon and then show me a picture of a motor cycle, at least then you'd have pictures. I can't see anything Dragon's done that reminds me of Che. Are you saying that guy is like Dragon because you like him.

aozora0316

@Zkaiser:

I took Skypeia as the much more simple "White people stole America from the Indians."

Agreed on this. Aside from the rather heavy handed imagery of the Shandians as Native Americans (with the teepees, head-dresses, face-paint, etc.), even the original "God" who led the hostile takeover of the Shandians homeland kind of looked like that bad guy from Pocahontas: