American identity as expressed in and shaped by foreign-policy rhetoric shows an interesting mix of realism and idealism. Its realism can be seen in the tough approach taken toward all conceivable threats, from terrorists and drug traffickers to China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and whoever else is the current existential threat. The US government claims the right to protect itself (and supposedly by extension its citizens) by maximizing its power over the rest of the world and neutralizing threats by whatever force it deems suitable. The other side of the rhetoric is idealist. The US claims to want only peace, freedom, liberal democracy and the rule of law, free markets and prosperity, and its supporters claim those are the effects of its foreign policy. These two types of assertions are sufficient to keep large numbers of Americans satisfied. Some people get to be scared by foreign boogeymen, while others believe the US can stop atrocities abroad. Even if a current war is wrong by their standards, they can point to past wars that apparently reflected their values better. As a result, they will probably believe the government’s excuses next time. The only truly antiwar people in the US are those who realize all wars are based on lies.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 17:00:01 +0000
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