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Zonie63 -> RE: American Ineffectualism (9/15/2013 10:11:58 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TheHeretic
Here's a good bit of analysis on the Syria debacle, and where it leaves us.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/358480/american-ineffectualism-mark-steyn
If America is ineffectual at being exceptional, then perhaps "exceptionalism" was a bit of a put on to begin with.
In my opinion, the real problem here is that America's foreign policy has fossilized. This isn't World War II anymore, and the Cold War has also passed. It's a different world now, yet many of our policymakers still can't seem to figure out what to do with themselves. They apply outdated methods and tactics, and then scratch their heads wondering why it doesn't work anymore.
We need to set more realistic and practical goals for ourselves, things that we can be effective at. Even if we assume that our motives are as pure and noble as the politicians say they are, it still doesn't mean there aren't practical limits as to what we can do. "Superpower" shouldn't be taken so literally, as if we actually have "super powers" like Superman. Even if we were like Superman, then Putin would probably be our "Kryptonite."
It wasn't really all that much different during the Cold War. Our effectiveness only went as far as it didn't provoke the other major powers (namely Russia and China) into going to war with us. We kept each other in check that way, and it seems the same principle applies today. Balance of power.
As for Syria, we'll have to accept however it may be handled through international diplomatic channels. If we're supposedly the world's policeman, then even a policeman has to accept the rule of law. It wouldn't mean the police are ineffective, but they also have to function within the system they claim to protect.
Frankly, I would welcome more Russian involvement in the Middle East, as it would get us off the hook and put Russia in the hot seat over there. We might have to realign our interests a bit and cut our losses. We might have to very well consider losing the Middle East entirely and bolster our interests in other areas of the world which may have been neglected lately. The entire world does not begin and end in the Middle East - and they're not the only source of oil in the world either. We have to be realistic and practical, realizing that we can't control every grain of sand on the planet.
As for "American exceptionalism," at least from within America, I think there may be those who believe that all the world needs is more freedom and democracy and a general concept of "Americanism" that seems to be part of our political consciousness. I'm reminded of a line from Full Metal Jacket where some colonel says "Inside each one of these people is an American trying to come out." I think that many Americans believe that if we just apply "Americanism" to all these countries around the world, everything would be alright. Bring in the bowling alleys, tract housing, mini-malls, freeways, skyscrapers, all the modern conveniences - industry, democracy, freedom. Just make the whole world into America, and everything will be just fine. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie - the whole works.
I'm being somewhat sarcastic here, but I think that a lot of Americans believe that we have such a wonderful thing here in this country and if only more people could see and partake of our system and all the opportunities there are, they'd all want to have it in their own countries and make the whole world a better place. That was the whole idea behind freedom, democracy, and human rights to begin with, so that people could be free to live as they choose, in order to live happier, more productive, and more fulfilling lives.
I don't think there's anything uniquely "American" about these ideals, as we borrowed most of it from other countries, so as far as terminology is concerned, "American exceptionalism" is about as accurate as "Holy Roman Empire."
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