Do you believe the U.S. effort in the middle east is a product of imperialistic ideals? Is this acceptable?

Question

More of an opinion thing. Please answer the question and refer to the official definitions below - don't mudsling whether you are left or right. I don't care if you think some guys who answered is an idiot. State yes or no and your reasoning.

im·pe·ri·al·ism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (m-pîr--lzm)n.

1. The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.
2. The system, policies, or practices of such a government.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/imperialism


he·gem·o·ny ( P ) Pronunciation Key (h-jm-n, hj-mn) n. pl. he·gem·o·nies

The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hegemony

Answer 1

In a word NO! If the U.S. were Imperialistic, by your definition; the acquition of territories, there's not a country in the world the U. S. would not own. There are as many examples of this as there are countries in the world. Here are a few:

Germany; we beat them twice, and then gave them back their country.

England: We beat them twice (1776 & 1812), but England is still ruled by the Royal Family.

Mexico, Japan, etc. If the U.S. had wanted to extend their territory it has had many opportunities.

Does it practice hegemony? Yes! Democracy works. The proof of this is the fact that the U.S. is the only superpower in the world. Much of this hegemony however, is at the request of the other nation. "Please help us, we need the yankee dollar!"

Also much of this influence is to protect the intrests and security of the U.S.

You may not like it, but that's the way it is!!

Answer 2

yes, by the definition stated, but unfortunately most people think of it as a conquer and rule. for the middle east, it is in the best interest of the country to have democratic government in the middle east for stabilty. oil is going to become even more important in the coming century, and there needs to be a guarantee of supply, not just in the form of another opec cartel of the 70's where they increased the price per barrely substantially, but in the form that the supply wont be cut off, like a few sunk ships in the narrow sea lane.

as for the hegemony, yes, i believe this is true. but these arent to be take negatively... there is such a thing as being a good influence.... if these countries become democratic and accept and practice new law instead of shariah, what great a great advance for minority and womens rights that will be. which puzzles me why people would be against that..

Answer 3

Q1: Yes. Dr. Rice said that these are the birth pangs of a new Middle East, and we need to usher in the new Middle East, not a return to the old. We have a stated policy of a desire for a regime change in Iran. We are actively seeking governments that are amenable to our positions. Al-Maliki was almost forbidden from speaking at the U.S. Congress because his opinion conflicted with that of a number of Congress people. I would say that the hegemony we seek is one built on a complicated set of political and economic control, but ultimately enforced by the rule of might.

2. No. Two simple reasons--establishing control of other countries whose populations and governments do not seek our control is morally questionable. Furthermore, it's not working, and historical precedent indicates that it won't, considering both the specific history of the Middle East, as well as the history of colonial/imperialist powers--e.g., look to the counter-imperialist movements in South America for a recent example.

Answer 4

Most definitely. This issue is much deeper than can be expounded upon here, however. So I'll try to be brief. As a conservative, I watch in horror as my party spends like there is no tomorrow, and as they steal my civil liberties away like they were good little liberals. This goes all the way back to one of the founding fathers of the Republican Party as well as one of the most prominent and despicable Republicans: Abraham Lincoln. He ushered in an entirely new way of viewing this country, these states, and their constitution. America soon after became a country of imperialism. Before him, we lived by the Monroe Doctrine and the principles set forth in the farewell address given by President Washington. I agree, however, (and this might confuse you a little if you are a bleeding heart liberal) that it was the right thing to do to take Sadaam out. This man posed an immediate threat to our safety. At the same time, why did he pose a threat to our safety? It was the same reason the terrorists flew planes into our buildings: we have been a police force in the world since the time of Teddy Roosevelt. We have stuck our nose in their business time and time again. And they have grown to hate us for it. So in conclusion, while I support the war in Iraq, I do so knowing that this should never have been necessary.

Answer 5

Imperilism requires the continued prescence and control over another sovereignty. Since the USA has never retained control in any arena that they have sent troops, you can not claim they are Imperialistic.

Answer 6

According to Webster yes. I really think it's just poor reaction of a sad goverment trying to make the masses think they know what they are doing anymore. I don't think our leaders are smart enough to be imperialistic anymore.

Answer 7

Absolutely not. IF we or Israel wanted territory, we could easily take it.

That we influence others is of course true. We are the worlds police as it were.

Answer 8

double standard

When a situation is desireable for one group but deplorable for another. Typically used in reasons to support feminists feminazi, but completely ignoring the terrible double standard favoring them.

1) a) A father sexually/physically assults his daughter at a young age. She grows up to fear men and strives to stay away from them. ACCEPTABLE

b) A mother sexually/Physically assults her son at young age. He grows up to fear men and strives to stay away from them. LABLED AS PROFILING WOMEN AS EVIL AND UNACCEPTABLE.

2) A) A group of girls sees a male walking through a mall. They think he is attractive, and make comments about his butt, abbs, or crotch and giggle loudly. ACCEPTABLE

B) A group of boys see a female walking through a mall. They think she is attractive, and make comments about her butt, abs, or breasts while laughing. LABLED AS PIGS WHO ARE ACTING INAPPROPRIATE, TREATING THE GIRL LIKE AN OVJECT

3) A) A married woman does not have a job because she feels that it is the mans place to support his family and survives on his paycheck. ACCEPTABLE

B) A married man does not have a job because he feels that it is the womans place to support her family and survives on her paycheck. LABLED AS AN ABUSIVE HUSBAND WHO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF HIS WIFE

4) a) A war in america is started, and the military decides to instate a draft. A woman who does not want to fight states her ideas, even though she does not have to worry about it. ACCEPTABLE AND SUPPORTED

b) A war in america is started, and the military decides to instate a draft. A man who does not want to fight states his ideas. VIEWED AS A DISERTER AND A TRAITOR WHO WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO AVOID HIS RESPONSABLITIES.

5) A) A very feminist mother takes her young daughter and her friends out for a party. Durring the celebrations, a man happens to sit at a table next to them in a restraunt. The mother tells the girls to hurry up eating and leaves in haste because she thinks the man would be a bad influence. ACCEPTABLE, LABLED A BIT OVERPROTECTIVE

b)A father takes his young son and his friends out for a party. Durring the celebrations, a woman happens to sit next to them in a restraunt. The father tells the children to hurry eating and leaves in haste because he thinks the woman will be a bad influence. VIEWED AS BEING EVIL AND TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN INCORRECT VIEWS.

6) A) A woman has been treated poorly by men often but not constantly. She can be quoted saying "Damn all men." ACCEPTABLE, PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS LIKE, "Poor woman, what happened to her?"

B) A man has been treated poorly by women often but not constantly. He can be quoted saying "Damn all women." UNACCEPTABLE, PEOPLE ASK QUESTIONS LIKE "What did that pig do to his wife that made her react a way he did not like?"

7) A) A young group of girls have a get together at someones house, and one boy is invited. The girls spend the whole time by themselves, and do not talk to the boy because they think boys are all stupid and should not be talked to. VIEWED AS NORMAL AND ACCEPTABLE, PARENTS PROBOBLY WILL NOT ADDRESS THE INCIDENT.

B) A group of boys have a get together at someones house, and one girl is invited. The boys spend the whole time by themselves, and do not talk to the girl because they think all girls are stupid and should not be talked to. VIEWED AS NORMAL BUT UNNACCEPTABLE. THE PARENTS WILL TELL THEM IT IS NOT RIGHT TO TREAT SOMEONE LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF GENDER.

8) A) A group of girls wants to participate in an activity that a group of boys are doing, and the boys say no because girls are idiots. UNACCEPTABLE, IF ADULTS ARE AROUND THEY WILL INSTRUCT THE BOYS TO LET THE GIRLS PARTICIPATE.

B) Later, the same group of boys want to participate in an activity the same group of girls are doing. The girls say no, because boys are disgusting and moronic. ACCEPTABLE, ANY ADULTS WILL TELL THE BOYS TO LEAVE THE GIRLS ALONE, REGAURDLESS IF THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO LET THE GIRLS JOIN EARLIER.

Answer 9

1. No
2. Yes
There is no reason necessary since we aren't doing it. Iraq is becoming more autonomous.

Answer 10

ya it imperialism, bush doesn't have any right to interrupt in da internal matters of other countries, wat he did in iraq and afganistan wasn't fair and i think bush is da person behind da 9/11 attack to.. many people say dat he only planned da 9/11 attack.... and i think bush is da worst president usa ever had or will have!