The US is no angel

We're not perfect, but American self interest is generally beneficial

Published on April 9, 2004 By Draginol In Politics

One thing I do want to make clear: I don't think the United States is an angel by any means.

And in fact, I think the United States pursues its self-interest quite vigorously.

However, I think that the way the United States has defined its self interest has been done in a way in which other countries happen to benefit.

Let me give you an example: During the European imperial age, the belief was that nations needed colonies to supply raw goods. Getting colonies required conquest, subjugation, etc. Not nice stuff.

The US, by contrast, defines its self interest by having a stable world order and prosperous countries to trade with. It doesn't *need* raw materials (and despite those uneducated enough to think we'd conquer a nation for its oil, oil is not worth conquering a country for, it's not valuable enough). So its policies have tended to be able ensuring global stability and creating markets for its products and services.

Sometimes that has meant supporting dictators and other goons who provide "stability". But usually it has meant the US defending countries being assaulted by others and trying to increase the overall propserity of the world.

In other words, the US strategy has been in its own self interest overall but its self interest has always been of benefit to the others. What is good for the US, as a generalization, has also been good for the world.

Since 9/11, the United States has recognized clearly that backing dictators because of stability is not the way to go. That the "freedom deficit" is coming back to bite us. The rise of Al Qaeda and other movements can be traced to this freedom deficit.

Which brings me to the irony: The same people who oppose the United STates having liberated Iraq from a monstrous dictator and attempting to create a democracy are the same people who complain that the United States supported dictators in the past. Bush would be the first to say "Yea, it's wrong to support dictators. We need to start vigorously promoting freedom instead."

Comments

couchman

on Apr 09, 2004

A very realistic and simple article....congrads....couldnt have said it better....or plainer!

xr700

on Apr 10, 2004

Brad, I always enjoy your posts because you make so much sense. There's no rhetoric, no spin, just the facts. I like it!

xr700

on Apr 10, 2004

You're like the Bill O'Reilly of this website except not old and without your own merchandise

jeblackstar

on Apr 10, 2004

There's no rhetoric, no spin, just the facts. I like it!

I'm sure even Brad will admit that there is both rhetoric and spin in his posts. If it were he wouldn't say things like:

Bush would be the first to say "Yea, it's wrong to support dictators. We need to start vigorously promoting freedom instead."

That's not a fact since Bush has never actually said that.

I also enjoy Brad's posts, but he, nor I, nor anyone else who posts on this site, is completely objective.

Cheers

phobiagirl

on Apr 10, 2004

As much as the US has been targeting those who choose to live a way of life that we would disagree with. And even sometimes take the stance of supporting the lesser evil in some countries, they also have to remember that they are not doing this on their own. They have always had some measure of support from other countries in the form of military, medical and financial aid. And in being so strong in promoting their own self interest often tend to forget those that support them. A small example that although not important on a global scale highlights my point. In Florida, an australian woman who is flying her flag nest to her husbands american flag has been told to take it down or the neighbours will sue. This is despite the fact that australians have always supported the US.

jeblackstar

on Apr 10, 2004

The neighbors would lose the case. Assuming a few things, one, the australian flag was not higher than American flag, and two, the American flag was to the right of the Australian flag. I say this as a former attourney, any attourney who thought of bringing this case better charge up front and not a percentage of the "cut".

Cheers

Aaron Brandt

on Apr 10, 2004

Phobiagirl, thats not the US attacking them, thats stupid neighbors. I've heard of so many stories where stupid people do stupid things like taking her to court over her Australian flag. It's sad. I do agree with the point though, we do often forget those that support us, but then, don't most countries?

Don Bemont

on Apr 12, 2004

the US strategy has been in its own self interest overall but its self interest has always been of benefit to the others.

The word "always" raises my eyebrows, and I suspect those of some Latin American citizens as well. The US has done pretty well by the rest of the world more of the time than not, but we also have not been shy about undermining governments too liberal for our tastes, and then attributing our dirty tricks as being a response to "instability" -- instability which we, in fact, created.

Another nitpick would be that it is, indeed, in our best interests to have a prosperous world. In our view, the word "prosperous" has no negative connotations at all, so the statement seems to our ears a 100% endorsement. However, in those cases where economic growth conflicts with other values, our support of prosperity may take the form of insisting that economic growth must take precedence over exisiting cultural and religious values. (The same occurs right here at home when media programming undermines traditional beliefs, in the race for higher profits... The fact that most domestic cultural conservatives have been convinced that they should blame the situation on liberals rather than on business, does not mean the rest of the world sees it that way.)

These are not large complaints with your message, Brad, but I believe that if Americans are trying to be honest rather than merely self satisfied, we must notice these qualifications of your message because -- and this is my real point -- these exceptions are not necessarily in the best interests of America as a whole, just in the best interests of a small sliver of America that sometimes gains undue power over our nation's decision-making... especially during the current administration.

jeblackstar

on Apr 12, 2004

I'm going to have to agree with Don, prosperity is in our best interests, whether or not what the US does to try to promote prosperity is moral or not is an open question.

Cheers

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