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The dominant "principle" at work in American politics domestically and in foreign relations and trade today is only this: "might makes right." As their neighbo
by cmrdporcupine 2y ago
The dominant "principle" at work in American politics domestically and in foreign relations and trade today is only this: "might makes right."
As their neighbours to the north we recognize this as always having been there in the form of "manifest destiny" and talk of "God's Favoured Nation" and "greatest nation on earth" and so on, and were on the receiving end of this mindset in 1812 and prior and other times... but there's also always been (small-l) liberal counter-veiling forces that led to a more just balance and the encouragement of trade and legality and constitutionality and cultural interchange over dominance and control (for some).
What we've seen from the American people is that at least 50% of them now want those guard rails completely removed. I see it all over comments sections on social media now. A bully mentality. Appeals to justice or sanity are met with a Nelson Muntz "ha-ha" and "what are you going to do about it?"
It's very hard to feel hopeful right now.
- Juliate 2y agoI completely understand you as a European. I see the same thing, here, on social media, in some newspapers, even in some family. After WWII, we had found kind of an agreement of balance, and a dynamic indeed to institute legality and coordination across nations for peace and progress. And the USA were the foundation and support of that, almost even as if it had been its mission. No wonder UN is based in New York for that matter. The most striking is the pace at which this unfolds. It's hard to feel hopeful, but hard to feel hopeless too. It's like grief. Something is broken and lost forever, but also, with darkness comes clarity of where the light comes from. So resolute to speak up and organise, yes.