Recently, an article found in Time magazine pointed out the obvious reality that many nations are not simply "clay waiting to be shaped into the U.S.'s image" (paraphrased). Essentially, holding this to be true, should U.S. foreign policy be redirected to only intervene internationally if we are directly affected or threatened? Or should we continue to spread the democracy that so many nations' people 'clearly' desire? I have my opinion. Tell me, What are yours?
2007-04-14 13:08:35 · 10 answers · asked by Luke P 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Our system of government works best for us. But we have to start understanding that we can not be the model for any other country. If THEY want to model their government after us, then that is great. If we have learned anything in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, we can not affect their way of governing. Plus we do a terrible job running their country. Saddam was a terrible leader but that may have been the only way to keep the various people from killing either him or each other.
2007-04-20 05:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by ustoev 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If our constitution is based on self-determination, we should definitely "butt-out" of trying to determine and/or impose our will on other people who have no clue what "democracy" means to us. Leave them alone. We took out Saddam in Iraq. Yes, he was a nasty person. However he, as a Sunni, was a buffer in a Shiite world. Now that he is out of the way, Iran will eventually make a puppet out of Iraq because both are Shiite by majority. Problem is, since we intervened, we will be a target for their anger because their philosophy is based on vengeance. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Someday, everyone might be blind and toothless in the middle east. Either that or dead. This country can't pre-suppose that democracy is the only way to live especially when countries like Egypt have existed for centuries before the USA even existed with or without our "democracy". Egypt and China are the only two countries on the planet which have held their identities for many milenia. The US is a interloping newcomer on the stage of humanity by comparison.
2007-04-14 13:51:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think that the best example of this sort of thing is what happened after WWI, when the Allies kicked Kaiser Wilhelm II out and forced a Democracy upon Germany. The Germans were clueless as to what "Democracy" entailed, and they ended up with Adolph Hitler and the Nazis running the country. I think that something of this sort will happen in Iraq.
2007-04-19 11:47:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Outstanding question!
Of course we need to totally reshape our foreign policy(ies). As a foundation: not all countries need to be (or even can be) remade in our image. Our form of government (whether by divine intervention or luck) is a rarity in the world. We can take pride and pleasure in that fact - but we should never assume it is practical or even "best" for every country everywhere.
As far as direct intervention goes, I assume you mean militarily. If that is the case, then I believe we keep our military "at the ready" but we do not use such measures unless and until we are directly threatened or in warms way. The one exception I might offer is when U.S. citizens are at risk. Intervening until such personnel are evacuated is appropriate, I believe. Then we're "out of there."
Brutal dictatorships mean no U.S. money or help - period.
I guess I could go on forever, but you get the idea on my position.
2007-04-14 13:25:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
There is only one way: deliberate and radical changes to the structure of our own society.
1) The immediate dissolution of public education.
2) Ammending the U.S. Constitution to allow titles of nobility.
3) Ammending the U.S. Constitution to allow the unification of state institutions with religious ones.
4) Ceding Hawaii and Alaska to its residents.
5) Dramatically increasing taxation on the ownership and viewing of Television, Internet, and any agency of advertisement.
(This last measure may accomplish our goal without the previous four!)
2007-04-14 13:38:58 · answer #5 · answered by Baron VonHiggins 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dont care about the other dictatorships throughout the world just here for the points.
2007-04-22 05:50:35 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isolationism.
2007-04-14 14:04:56 · answer #7 · answered by s2scrm 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
stay at home
2007-04-21 09:08:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Again that is intellectual property that I wont disclose for free.
2007-04-14 13:12:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
Read the bible, it is all there..
2007-04-14 15:33:56 · answer #10 · answered by tiny b 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋