Monday, June 4, 2012
How would you judge the claim often made that American democracy seeks to “convert” other nations?
There is some validity to this claim as the thought of American
idealism is passed on through patriotic sentimentality from nation to
nation. I believe American democracy is
not totally a converted state, in order for a country to be susceptible to
outside influences there has to be a want in place first that allows another to
welcome outside ideas and statures. Of
course, there is some truth to the statement in that America
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I agree with you somewhat, but not entirely. When you say that America is an arrogant patriotic country, it makes me think of America as like a tyrant. The thing is that a lot of other countries look up to the U.S. as the ideal and want to be like the U.S., so it's more of like when you said that the country has to want to welcome outside ideas and not that America wants to spread them. I mean, if there is a country that has no major issues or problems, I don't think the U.S. is going to go try and Americanize them. Most of the time, a problem arises and the country turns to the U.S. for help.
ReplyDeleteWhen an Aunt or Uncle sends you a card with money in it, they expect a thank you. It's naturally good manners to respond to their kindness appropriately, but many find themselves too busy or selfish to respond with the recognition they are looking for, so the relatives respond by gossiping about how you had no problem running to the bank with the check, or maybe they gave you the money to try to manipulate you and use the gift against you, or just to make themselves seem like martyrs. Whatever the reason, gifts are, many times, given with an ulterior motive in mind.
ReplyDeleteI use this as an analogy because that is what the U.S does by giving aid to countries. Money is given, and the leaders accepting the charity are expected to do what America wants. It causes many hard feelings. I have told a relative or two to keep their gifts to themselves if they plan to use it against me, and it obviously makes for poor relations when one can not be manipulated.
I consider myself a patriot, I just attended my nephews West Point graduation, and it is very moving to see the straight lines, the uniforms, all the honor and glory and the ideals that go with it, but America needs to respect the differences of other nations, and come to terms with the fact that not everyone can be converted. They try, by sending troops and missionaries, and I do here that the citizens love the work that the U.S does through these institutions, but the leaders and the coerced are the ones you see on news channels as propaganda. I do believe that the U.S wants all other nations on the same page with them. Working against communism and dictatorships is difficult when resources are needed. Nobody wants to have to go in by force, but if force is needed, then America needs to look in our own country for resources. We hear from very educated people that America has all the resources we need for energy. I hear North Dakota is full of oil and they are in need of workers(pioneers) to tap into it if they can handle living in those conditions. They may even give away free land to get people there.
I agree with your statement of "I believe American democracy is not totally a converted state, in order for a country to be susceptible to outside influences there has to be a want in place first that allows another to welcome outside ideas and statures.". I'm a firm believer if change is needed and it is wanted then by all means let it happen, but it should not be forced on a group of people.
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