December 20, 2003
Democracy As A Weapon
ajc.com | Opinion | World knows our foreign policy better than we doWhew! It's a banner night for blogging!
This article makes a great point about how we only seem to care about exporting democracy when it suits our national interests. It's not, like, a principle or anything.
But Noam Chomsky knows our foreign policy better than anyone (even his prescription is loony).
Try "Profit Over People"
It's a handbook to learn how to profit over other people (j/k).
Posted by: Josh Narins at December 20, 2003 09:37 AMThe first obligation of any government is the security of its citizens. That's the reason governments are formed. Security preceeds prosperity.
At one time we supported China over Japan, Ho Chi Min in Viet Nam over Japan, Russia over Germany, Germany over Russia, France over England, England over France.
Nations have interests. Unlike many other countries, it is usually (but not always) in our interest to promote democracy in an effort to make US citizens more secure and prosperous.
Anyone who watched Germany and France tap dance at the UN over the countless resolutions about Iraq realized that they were making an attempt to protect their interests and therefore provide more security and prosperity for their citizens. They would have been a lot happier to see Iraq continue as a despotic dictatorship.
Fortunately it didn't suit our interests.
rjk
Posted by: kestrel at December 20, 2003 11:54 AM