I wonder if this is even possible in the forseeable future -- not because of the world, but because of the mentality that seems to have fallen over the US itself. This country, or more precisely the people who have political and economic power in this country (and I suspect much of the general populace as well, though I'm not in a position to know it), has come to regard itself as the moral authority, the yardstick by which all thoughts and cultures are judged. Disagreement with the US isn't allowable anymore, and we've become the sole economic and military powerhouse with the "big stick" to back up a voice that no longer speaks softly.
The question is, would the US be willing to give up this kind of authoritative power? I don't see it; Americans no longer seem willing to simply co-exist with other nations. In order to feel secure, it seems that this country needs to control everything that goes on in the world around it.
I don't see the pendulum swinging back the other way in my lifetime. I think we're stuck in "control freak" mode.
As Jay (Tonto) Silverheels of Brooklyn is reputed to have said to -- who was it played the Long Ranger? Clayton Moore?
Politicians can be trusted to take the easy way out. They will indulge their control freaking at home, where they can get away with it on the cheap. (And I hope not for much longer.)
Yes, I think it was Clayton Moore. It's a little before my time, admittedly. :)
I don't think domestic and foreign policy can be so neatly separated, especially not in the current environment of terrorist alerts and the cooking of the books on the reasons for war. I believe that ShrubCo now realizes the full extent of the power of these things in their quest to shape the domestic agenda, and I also believe that these same tactics will be used again should control seem to be slipping.
They've gotten a taste of blood now. They know that they can get away with anything done in the name of "security," and so I expect that we'll be facing more alleged imminent threats like the one invented in Iraq. In order to exercise these scenarios, it will be necessary for the US government to wield not a big stick, but a bludgeon, in dealing with our justifiably nervous allies, too. In addition to our color-coded terrorist alerts at home and the increasing perceived prevalence of weapons of mass destruction abroad (and hey, everybody knows our friends have far more of these than our enemies ever will!), I expect we'll see a trade war or six before the end of ShrubCo's second term.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2003-05-01 08:18 am (UTC)The question is, would the US be willing to give up this kind of authoritative power? I don't see it; Americans no longer seem willing to simply co-exist with other nations. In order to feel secure, it seems that this country needs to control everything that goes on in the world around it.
I don't see the pendulum swinging back the other way in my lifetime. I think we're stuck in "control freak" mode.
What you mean "we," white man?
Date: 2003-05-02 09:30 am (UTC)Politicians can be trusted to take the easy way out. They will indulge their control freaking at home, where they can get away with it on the cheap. (And I hope not for much longer.)
Maybe.
Re: What you mean "we," white man?
Date: 2003-05-04 08:24 am (UTC)I don't think domestic and foreign policy can be so neatly separated, especially not in the current environment of terrorist alerts and the cooking of the books on the reasons for war. I believe that ShrubCo now realizes the full extent of the power of these things in their quest to shape the domestic agenda, and I also believe that these same tactics will be used again should control seem to be slipping.
They've gotten a taste of blood now. They know that they can get away with anything done in the name of "security," and so I expect that we'll be facing more alleged imminent threats like the one invented in Iraq. In order to exercise these scenarios, it will be necessary for the US government to wield not a big stick, but a bludgeon, in dealing with our justifiably nervous allies, too. In addition to our color-coded terrorist alerts at home and the increasing perceived prevalence of weapons of mass destruction abroad (and hey, everybody knows our friends have far more of these than our enemies ever will!), I expect we'll see a trade war or six before the end of ShrubCo's second term.