Why do Americans believe they are the World Police?

Question

I have heard this phrase quite a lot.

Im not having a pop at the Americans... just asking a question!! It is a common thing that i have heard.

Answer 1

You are right that more often than not USA take on the role of world police but this is to enforce international law laid out by the UN. Please note that France and Italy are policing Lebanon at the moment. It would seem that the USA has finally realised that it cannot be insular and sit on the sidelines as world affairs really do affect everyone - this is a lesson learned from being late to 2 world wars. Ironically it was Britain that used to be the worlds policeman but fighting the organized crime ring that were the Nazi's took so much out of Britain, the USA was propelled into the position of great power as everyone else was f***d - which is a position that they have revelled in ever since!! Europe is now stable and if we get our act together we would be in a far stronger position than the US as the EU has a larger population, greater resouces, better economy and infrastructure. Europe may take a greater lead in policing the world in future.

Answer 2

This is a topic i've always considered myself and discussed with other people. And it does annoy me sometimes when other countries mess with other countries affairs when they have no right to.

However I am not blaming America at all, america just has the mis-fortune of being the only super power in the world today and to make matters worse it is run by a war hungry president.

My answer to the question then is this: Becuase America has the power to they can be the world police. They can afford to invade another country if they feel like they are doing something wrong and start a war over it or onvade another country to get more oil (cough). While for example Britain can't and if they did they could literally financially ruin theirselves.

Thats my opnion anyway.

Answer 3

America does not believe it is the worlds police. Although it should.

since the end of the cold war, europe has needed the usa less as there is no longer an immediate threat to our safety and freedom. france and spain have distanced themselves from the worlds only empire, or superpower.
however we do need them to be our world police, although they are reluctant to take up the role.
just as in the thirties, if the UK did not stand up, then the German, Japanese and Italian empires would have. This would not have led to a happy time for humanity.
If the USA does not administer the world, perhaps better than they are at the moment, other potential empires would take on their role and their may not be a country capable of this.
The last time there was not an Empire 'policing' the world it was the Dark Ages.

Answer 4

You know, that is funny, because i was just commenting to my husband the other day about the internet and the USA control over things regarding that... then a TV program came on about the ocean patrol near india and americans were there in the ocean telling people what to do, and asking for their papers. I was like "what in the world are they doing there???!!!" and my husband said "well, it seems like america is the world police anymore". I can understand the precious protection of the Bush family inheritance.. (A-hem, that is sarcasm), and i can undertsand spending 4 million to nuke and 14 million to rebuild a country that isn't ours (Sorry , more sarcasm)... but come on, the rest of the world can really handle themselves. This government has what... like 600 year old roots? I am sure the other countries that have been cultured for 3000+ years will be just fine with their own laws and rules. lol

I think if the amount of money we spend on other countries' problems went to health for america or education or , you know the growth of american economy, we really would rock.. more so than we already do.. of course lol

Answer 5

There's always going to be a superpower in the world.

The Romans built roads and conquered nations with them, Britain built ships and conquered nations with them.

America built the Atom Bomb (ironically with help from German scientists, notably Albert Einstein) and since then, they have been the leading superpower.
They have the biggest economy too - if the US markets have a bad day, then every market has a bad day.

also, as you can see from plenty of posts in this thread, there are too many of them that have their heads way up their own arses.

plus, they have a leader who would likes to settle his problems by sending in his armies rather than talking - everyone should fear that mad man

Answer 6

Why don't you think about it ! You might come up with the answer yourself.

Maybe it has something to do with Christianity/Religion, to make it viable, or white guilt, an overcompensation for the slavery and Jewish issues. Maybe a little bit of everything powered by criticism of those raising these same issues. The do-gooders that have lost their mind perhaps?

Answer 7

We don't. However, there are things going on around the world that we have interests in. Politics is the reason for wars and conflicts. I am a member of the US Air Force and I promise you I'd rather let countries beat up on themselves instead of getting in the middle of it, but I have to do what my commander-in-chief says.

Answer 8

The world makes them the World Police. We are the first that everyone comes crying to to try to fix their problems, we should have a stake.

Answer 9

It is because we are the only superpower. If we don't who will police the world? The French??

Answer 10

Wrong

Someone is lying to you.

Americans are selfish and don't care about the world.

Only corporations that stand to profit from world policing care.


Go big Red Go