NationStates Jolt Archive

America is in a crisis. The outcome of this crisis will define this nation's history, and its legacy.This modern-day crisis is on the level of the Second World War, or the Cold War, except many people do not recognize the situation.
America was founded on principles. While that is debatable, one can argue that principles have shaped this country more than most others. I see America as standing for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity in the world. Many people around the planet see this country as an inspiration for them, and a model for their own countries.
Circumstances have allowed the USA to become the most powerful country in the world. This may appear to be good, but there is a dark side to global hegemony. Certain people will do anything to keep America on top. They hold no principle except the principle of might makes right.
While America may be admired by many, it is feared by most. Americans do not think of their government as something to be afraid of. Others, however, feel very uncomfortable with America exercising its power. They have some sense. What other country has the capacity to strike anywhere, at anytime, with destructive and overwhelming force? Americans do not see much of their military, but others do. The United States keeps 200,000 troops stationed overseas. Most of the people of the countries in which these troops are stationed do not want them there. How would you feel if the Japanese had a military base in Los Angeles? If we were at war with Mexico, it would be one thing. However, many of these bases are left over from the cold war, and the only countries in which American forces are in actual combat are Afghanistan and Iraq.
Our overseas presence is distressing enough for many people, but more are angered and frightened at the ways that the US uses force to get what it wants. The US has a long history of military interventionism. This problem only got worse after the First Gulf War. When the American people saw all the footage of smart bombs hitting their targets, they assumed that war had transformed into a surgical and precise matter, and by extension, that non-combatants would not be harmed in wars any longer. With their consciences clear, the American people supported wars that their leaders procured. This culminated in the invasion of Iraq.
Iraq had never attacked the United States. It had no WMDs. The UN was against military action. There was no justification for the attack. True, Saddam was a bad man, but how many of you would accept an invasion of your country by another country claiming their goal is to get rid of a leader that you do not particularly like? It is the responsibility of the Iraqi people to free themselves. We can support opposition groups, call for regime change, and form all kinds of sanctions, but the ultimate responsibility for revolution lies in the hands of the country's own citizens.
In the invasion of Iraq, the American government accepted to participate in the game of "let's-be-the-hegemon". ALL hegemons, all powerful states have a fall. They try to accomplish too much, and that leads to ruin. I am not ashamed to say that I love my country. I do not want it to share the same ignoble fate of the Roman empire, the Spanish empire, or the British empire. Americans need to stand up and say that America shall not be an empire! We need to base our diplomacy on respect and principle. One may say that states operate out of the lust for power. There are no states. There are only people in charge of others. People will respect principle. Most people are not amoral; they will respect sincerity. This is the way in which the American legacy will last. Liberal democratic values will be accepted when people admire the US. The US shall not fall if it does not exploit its powerful position. Our country and our ideals will endure once we do this. Freedom and democracy, however, will be rejected by the world if its main proponent, the US, abuses its power. America must exercise its power with great caution, since people are wary of it. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. America must not live by the sword, in order to survive.
This is not a partisan issue. This is not an issue of petty politics. The future of America depends upon the actions we take abroad. If the US keeps on recklessly throwing its weight around, one country, one day, will rise up to challenge it. This challenge will lead to America's downfall. Conflict breeds conflict. Cooperation will lead to peace. Please, do not deceive yourself with other issues. This issue is the most important one facing us Americans. This year, do not vote for anybody who will abuse American power. We must not reelect the current leadership which has abused American power greatly in the past. We must recognize our mistakes as Americans, before some other nation makes us learn these lessons by force.

Yeah we should only throw our weight around when a orginization that has been recently implicated in taking bribes tells us to. Specially after the panel of the recent audit says it has reason to believe that serveral top U.N. officials did indeed take bribes.

Saddam did have WMD's, used them and then they dissappered and still aren't accounted for. And no matter how many times people tell me he destroyed them and simply didn't document it, I will never believe that he didn't posses them still. Saddam was a madman but, he wasn't stupid, documenting the destruction is something he would have done just for leway with the U.N.

This is not just about the war in Iraq. This is about US foreign policy in general. Iraq is just the most glaring example of the US abusing its power. America cannot survive with a policy of unilateralism and militarism.

Interesting. . . at least decently thought out. I'd give it 4 stars.

The American form of Hegemony isn't actually hegemony. At least not yet. While it is obviously true that we Americans keep troops stationed far and abroad, they do not keep the active practice of enforcing American hegemonic policies. In fact, as in the case of Germany, the U.S. troops have actually become part of the economy. The German case was reported several weeks ago by the New York Times when Bush was stating that he wanted to move the troops to different locations. The troops in Germany though have been stationed since after WWII. They speak the language, practice the culture, and are part of the economic system of Germany. Shopkeepers would be sad to see the soldiers go because it would be a blow the the already struggling German economy.

In the case of Japan, they might not like the U.S. soldiers there, but it doesn't really matter in the big picture. The Japanese have a favorable trade set-up with the U.S. We buy more Japanese goods than the Japanese buy American goods. With this trade imbalance, the Japanese hold an economic advantage over the U.S. The soldiers might not be welcome, but the Japanese know that with their economic system, they can control what way the U.S. moves.

The mid-east is an arguable hegemonic system. The United States is trying to impose U.S. democracy on Iraq. Despite the obvious differences in culture and belief, the U.S. persists in this effort. The Iraquis lean towards an Islamic theocracy - much different than the U.S. democracy. However, the troops stationed in Iraq are given the task of imposing this democratic system, incompatable with the Iraqi mindset. Hegemony at work.

...uh...wha...there should be a rule - posts may not exceed five sentences

...uh...wha...there should be a rule - posts may not exceed five sentences

Sure sign of a Bush supporter.

At least double space between paragraphs, man. That's a massive chunk of text to weed through without any visual breaks.

The amazing thing is that we've never met. I was saying just about exactly what you posted to my mom a little less then a week ago. This government has gotten a bit Moussoliniesque for my taste. I was asking whether she thought Canada would be a safer place to be in 10 years when the Great War hits. It's awfully easy to crush a peaceful rebellion from the inside. Just look at the Patriot Act. I've always been a loyal democrat and liberal, but that was just politics. This is the first time I've ever felt afraid. Hats off, poster....BUMP.

I do agree; American foreign policy is slowly but steadily becoming more aggressive. The turning point was after World War II, during which the Americans ended their isolationist stance in favour of pursuing those who attacked and declared war on them.

Their foreign policy has made them seemingly imperialistic. After all, they attacked Grenada in the '80s (I think), they did a LOT of crap that they didn't have to do. Now with all their bases around the world, and no sign of mass withdrawl in the future, I can see how it will be dangerous for them because by staying, they are pissing off a lot of people...

America is in a crisis. The outcome of this crisis will define this nation's history, and its legacy.This modern-day crisis is on the level of the Second World War, or the Cold War, except many people do not recognize the situation.
America was founded on principles. While that is debatable, one can argue that principles have shaped this country more than most others. I see America as standing for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity in the world. Many people around the planet see this country as an inspiration for them, and a model for their own countries.
Circumstances have allowed the USA to become the most powerful country in the world. This may appear to be good, but there is a dark side to global hegemony. Certain people will do anything to keep America on top. They hold no principle except the principle of might makes right.
While America may be admired by many, it is feared by most. Americans do not think of their government as something to be afraid of. Others, however, feel very uncomfortable with America exercising its power. They have some sense. What other country has the capacity to strike anywhere, at anytime, with destructive and overwhelming force? Americans do not see much of their military, but others do. The United States keeps 200,000 troops stationed overseas. Most of the people of the countries in which these troops are stationed do not want them there. How would you feel if the Japanese had a military base in Los Angeles? If we were at war with Mexico, it would be one thing. However, many of these bases are left over from the cold war, and the only countries in which American forces are in actual combat are Afghanistan and Iraq.
Our overseas presence is distressing enough for many people, but more are angered and frightened at the ways that the US uses force to get what it wants. The US has a long history of military interventionism. This problem only got worse after the First Gulf War. When the American people saw all the footage of smart bombs hitting their targets, they assumed that war had transformed into a surgical and precise matter, and by extension, that non-combatants would not be harmed in wars any longer. With their consciences clear, the American people supported wars that their leaders procured. This culminated in the invasion of Iraq.
Iraq had never attacked the United States. It had no WMDs. The UN was against military action. There was no justification for the attack. True, Saddam was a bad man, but how many of you would accept an invasion of your country by another country claiming their goal is to get rid of a leader that you do not particularly like? It is the responsibility of the Iraqi people to free themselves. We can support opposition groups, call for regime change, and form all kinds of sanctions, but the ultimate responsibility for revolution lies in the hands of the country's own citizens.
In the invasion of Iraq, the American government accepted to participate in the game of "let's-be-the-hegemon". ALL hegemons, all powerful states have a fall. They try to accomplish too much, and that leads to ruin. I am not ashamed to say that I love my country. I do not want it to share the same ignoble fate of the Roman empire, the Spanish empire, or the British empire. Americans need to stand up and say that America shall not be an empire! We need to base our diplomacy on respect and principle. One may say that states operate out of the lust for power. There are no states. There are only people in charge of others. People will respect principle. Most people are not amoral; they will respect sincerity. This is the way in which the American legacy will last. Liberal democratic values will be accepted when people admire the US. The US shall not fall if it does not exploit its powerful position. Our country and our ideals will endure once we do this. Freedom and democracy, however, will be rejected by the world if its main proponent, the US, abuses its power. America must exercise its power with great caution, since people are wary of it. Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. America must not live by the sword, in order to survive.
This is not a partisan issue. This is not an issue of petty politics. The future of America depends upon the actions we take abroad. If the US keeps on recklessly throwing its weight around, one country, one day, will rise up to challenge it. This challenge will lead to America's downfall. Conflict breeds conflict. Cooperation will lead to peace. Please, do not deceive yourself with other issues. This issue is the most important one facing us Americans. This year, do not vote for anybody who will abuse American power. We must not reelect the current leadership which has abused American power greatly in the past. We must recognize our mistakes as Americans, before some other nation makes us learn these lessons by force.

Great post, man. I agree with you 100%