4 ms·

> I'm just not remotely convinced that it's worth the suffering caused by it. I hear you, but I don't know where I fall on this. I think my conclusion is that

> I'm just not remotely convinced that it's worth the suffering caused by it. I hear you, but I don't know where I fall on this. I think my conclusion is that the US is largely imposing this diet onto itself in a self-sacrificial way, as the price to pay to be the world's leading power, which in turn enables world peace (mostly, so far). I have the intuition that comfortable countries (European, Canada where I'm from) only manage to have those social services because they follow in the wake of the US. And they're also much less economically dynamic. Also I do think that the worst of US suffering is really much less worse than the suffering seen in the rest of the world, by miles. As such I think it's hard for me to conclude whether it's all worth it or not. If the US wasn't how it is, another power would rule. Would that other power be as benign and cooperative as the US has been? In current days, the alternative powers would be China, and I don't think a Chinese world power system would be better for everyone. What improvement could the US do to its system so that it would remain dominant while also being a bit more humane? That would be a worthy goal.

messe 4y ago
I can't disagree with you there, although to be clear, I don't necessarily agree either, I just don't think we have enough evidence to make a conclusion. I think some immediate policies that the US could introduce is universal healthcare by expanding medicaid, and work toward the elimination of student loan debt (leading to greater social mobility).
- AYBABTME 4y ago
  Same, all just conjectures.
donbrae 4y ago
> If the US wasn't how it is, another power would rule. Would that other power be as benign and cooperative as the US has been? In current days, the alternative powers would be China, and I don't think a Chinese world power system would be better for everyone. From this European’s perspective, I welcome the US’s benign power, now and historically (the Marshall plan), and agree the alternatives have always been terrible (unless, say, Canada were to step up in the event of US decline). However, I’m not sure I would share this perspective if I were living in one of the South American countries where the US has overturned elections, or Iraq or Vietnam. US power is benign as long as you’re on their side.

messe 4y ago

I can't disagree with you there, although to be clear, I don't necessarily agree either, I just don't think we have enough evidence to make a conclusion. I think some immediate policies that the US could introduce is universal healthcare by expanding medicaid, and work toward the elimination of student loan debt (leading to greater social mobility).

AYBABTME 4y ago
Same, all just conjectures.

donbrae 4y ago

> If the US wasn't how it is, another power would rule. Would that other power be as benign and cooperative as the US has been? In current days, the alternative powers would be China, and I don't think a Chinese world power system would be better for everyone. From this European’s perspective, I welcome the US’s benign power, now and historically (the Marshall plan), and agree the alternatives have always been terrible (unless, say, Canada were to step up in the event of US decline). However, I’m not sure I would share this perspective if I were living in one of the South American countries where the US has overturned elections, or Iraq or Vietnam. US power is benign as long as you’re on their side.