CombatEffective - This madness must stop! - Ezra Klein: A Superman Approach to Foreign Policy

Ezra Klein: A Superman Approach to Foreign Policy

Written by CombatRob

Sunday, 04 May 2008

An interesting article that Mr Klein sums up with this tidbit

Liberals see America possessing tremendous power that must be tempered and legitimized by the rules we choose to follow and the restraint we choose to apply. Conservatives see great vulnerabilities that can only be assuaged through sufficient application of violence and will.

I don't think that's actually the case. Liberals see American possessing tremendous power and believe that power inherently evil; they think it must be tempered and legitimized by an international consensus that bows to the lowest common denominator (though they themselves would probably not refer to, say, Sudan as such). Conservatives see American power as a force for good in the world. They see great failure in the larger world that could be assuaged through judicious application of violence and will.

Where do I fall? I see an amazing opportunity for American power that must be tempered and legitimized by rules we apply to ourselves. We must hold the higher ground. But we must not fail to act for fear of our own power.

Comments (3)

... : dw

I always hear that 'the bottom line is money', or 'follow the money'. Hard to dismiss that as war is expensive, is profitable to some and a loss to others, affects all economy's involved and war rocks everybody's boat where economics want stability. War is not profitable unless their is booty to be had. The booty only comes in the form of contracts and even that is 'fought over'.

IM not so HO relating to third world nations. Outside of self defense, their is no reason in the world to support war unless it is idealogical or profitable. No body can touch us so? Their is reason for police action. Send in the Marines with full support and anything they need and all authority to clean any clock according to their on site judgment. And let them do their job quickly with applause before Congress can get involved. In and out. The least of their objectives always being to show that no enemy is immune to our power, destroy enemy morale, and expose their vulnerability to their supporters. Then if their is a war with a nation state, that enemy will have to declare it.

May 04, 2008 :: 09:44PM

I agree : TRex

With Rob's assessment of the opportunity, and with DW's observation that you have to follow the money. In and of themselves, money and power are not evil, but both are corrupting forces that, like fire, can rage out of control with little notice. Therefore we should not fail to act out of fear of the (very corrupt, overall) world's view of us, but we should always keep a mirror in hand to self observe our struggles (as Magellan tends to do, when he writes here).

TRex

May 07, 2008 :: 03:02AM

... : dw

In and of themselves, money and power are not evil, but both are corrupting forces that, like fire, can rage out of control with little notice.

Very easy to understand that as true.

June 10, 2008 :: 04:10PM

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