Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Just some thoughts on this as I think your view of America is built on the idealistic view American propaganda has built up over the years.
The Americans were isolationists until WWII. They entered both world wars late because of their isolationist beliefs. What made the US an economic power was them profiteering from the international war effort prior to joining. Post WWII was when the United States became the power they are and that was a result of the power vacuum in Europe. The cold war with the Soviets allowed the US to build military and economic alliances and spread their influence because so many nations were left so weak. This was ultimately because of good leadership from the United States, and because they were really the last nation standing, thanks to "the bomb.". But make no mistake, that position was established out of a series of cooperative efforts and agreements that would leave the US in a leadership position while the other nations rebuilt.
What we have seen is an attempt to expand the American Empire beyond the shores of the US, and her allies. This has has some success and plenty more failures. The US has attempted to make forays into the middle east and have failed spectacularly. They have attempted to extend their reach into Latin and South America and had at best mixed results. It is pretty easy to look at those regions and recognize they have pretty much rejected American hegemony. The US has very little influence in Africa, and Asia is also a mixed bag. To suggest the United States has has global control or absolute influence like some of the other empires is not accurate in any shape or form.
The best argument that can be made for global access is the influence of American culture through the arts and entertainment. Music and movies have been the United States' greatest export and helped shape minds and win hearts. These industries were powerful in spreading the American dream and belief that the United States was that shining light on a hill. But that was pre-9/11. Since 9/11 the United States has turned into the opposite of what those industries have long projected. The economic collapse greatly stunted the movie industry's reach and efficacy. As a result control of those industries fractured and message management disappeared. The messages coming from those industries have actually done more damage to the projection of a positive image of America than can be imagined. The anti-American media campaign actually started internally by the music and film industries.
This is the most interesting thing to watch about what is happening right now. America is dying from the inside. The "empire" they believed they could build is rotting to the core. They have been devoid of leadership since the end of the Vietnam era. Reagan was a hardass on the Soviets but added so much to the credit card at unmanageable interest rates that the country may never recover. They continued an incredible expansion of their perceived empire through military and economic means, but the successive economic collapses and continual spending on the credit card has actually weakened the United States.
The United States is a house of cards. Economically, culturally, and systemically. We are seeing all of the cards begin to buckle and all it will take is one and the whole mess falls in upon itself. The institutions that made America great are now a punch line in a Trump speech as years of corruption and divisive politics have weakened or destroyed the foundations of governance. The markets are for the top .1% and everyone else is a pawn/hostage to the system. The system is not sustainable. Culturally we are seeing what America is, and it is not pretty. This is a country that was built on racism and subjugation. Now that the demographics have shifted America will have to evolve or die. Culturally this may not be possible.
The American military is impressive, but it is so large and bloated that it is virtually impossible to support. If there was a global conflict the country would bankrupt itself in trying to keep the military machine running. Without the network of allies the United States military would fall quickly just because of the logistics of keeping that behemoth supplied.
This is the thing missing from the discussion. America is only as strong as it allies. Without alliances the effective reach and ability to maintain the military ceases. This is what has brought every previous empire to its knees and the United States is no different. With Trump in office the alliances that have made America great are being destroyed. Those alliances that allowed for expansion and influence are on the shakiest of ground and the failure of one card may cause the whole house to collapse.
|
Well thought out post with some salient points, but I must say, I feel that it may be your view that is coloured by American propaganda rather than mine. I've always felt that the goal has been to not advertise their imperialism and focus on "spreading democracy" or some such nonsense.
You mentioned Central and South America. If there was ever a case of a powerful nation having total hegemony over a region I don't know what would be a better example. Asia is tenuous, yes, but America locked up the Western hemisphere long ago with methods as brutal and total as can be.
I agree with your points about the current state of America. The future does not look bright; and make no mistake, I do not equate the strength of the American Empire with progress or see it as beneficial to the world in any way. I believe that much of the dirty work of empire building has been done under cover or disguised as something else. "Failures" such as in the middle east have still yielded results. Iraq as a sovereign state in control of it's own oil resources has been neutralized, for example. Iran is most certainly on the agenda next. Time will tell if the US can pull that one off.
Again, appreciate the discussion, as this is THE story of the world post WWII, and most discussion of it is either limited in detail or completely obfuscated by a purposeful effort at disinformation or jingoistic rhetoric. It bears further discussion.