Democracy without properly educated population likes a sandcastle build in sea. When people uses their fists to solve their problem instead using their brain and reasoning power, there is pointless and hopeless to bring up any topic about democracy in these countries.
Hardly the case. We have the most interests to protect, much like England did when she was a colonial power. We inherited her role. Occasionally we mention human rights, but that's only when it's convenient or a special interest group gets involved. Kissinger himself said altruism and diplomacy are two different things. The question now is: In the era of globalization, does the average average american profit economically from our international presence? Or does he take on an undue burden re taxation and military service? We are taught that we are the worlds indispensable power. Do we maintain peace? Yes, for the most part, though increasingly it seems the financial benefit of "policing" the world goes to fewer hands.
Why is the world economy growing so fast? Why the third starting to industrialize? Because the US military is sitting on the Persian Gulf guaranteeing safe oil flow. Without that investors into the new economies would dry up. Who is going to enforce UN and international treaties concerning shipping. What if Iran decides to charge 100 million dollars for each tanker going through the Straights of Hormuz. It would be in violation of treaties it has signed. Will the UN send its navy...Should the Russians do it...Who does the West trust?
If recent events in Basra are representative that argument if flawed. Brits leave violence down last time I checked. I do agree we will have bases there for a long time, look at the history of the US. Politics like the history of the US if grey frankly. We do alot of good, in the form of foreign aid, but we also do alot of imperialist things that aren't so good.
The world would move on as it has been. And the rest of the world will pick up the slack from the continued erosion of the states. The shift of power is already happening, it's happening right in front of your eyes, and theirs nothing anyone can do about it. It's the result of our wonderful capital markets. It's not like the US will ever go away...where would I go on vacation? This article is dumb US propaganda. Anybody that considers this is dumb...period.
Planet Earth without America would be ran by people like Hitler and stalin. As a matter of fact, without America, Earth would be basically a wasteland. John
Because capital flows from around the world are diverted to these areas that need capital. It's a continuous loop, as less and less capital goes to the US. Of course on nasty corrections when assets get pummeled in the states, sovereign wealth funds will be there to pick up assets on the cheap. But for the most part anyone with a brain is looking outside the US.
It's quite sad that you believe this. With this much fear, you know you've already been beat. Fear is the worst sign, it means the party is already over.
Anyone care to take a stab at why Washington picks up the role of being the so called world´s policeman. regards f9