Simon: I find the assumption of Empire
illuminating. Pax Americana, just like its
classical stablemate is founded on war and profit
and there is no perceived alternative. That's the
problem.
Eric: I supplied two alternatives in the part of
my post you copied: well-maintained spheres of
regional influence or a world run by China (or
some other budding superpower).
Simon: The alternative, and there is an
alternative, is a vision of mutual security
through economic union, sharing resources, sharing
markets, rather than a dominating emprire.
Eric: That's fine as long as everyone plays well
with others.
Simon: ...we might expect to see different
solutions, but what we are seeing is a US
President who sees military might as an
opportunity to create Empire.
Eric: The American empire was a fact for a long
time before either Bush, but it is a default
position. If Europe took responsibility for its
"sphere of influence," such as in the Balkans or
Iraq, none of these Americans actions would have
occurred. Granted, two world wars have made
Europeans timid about projecting force beyond
their borders, but that has helped create the
default American empire.
People who reflect on American empire usually
reach two conclusions: (1) it will not last, and
(2) it will be missed when it is gone and replaced
by another empire.
Simon: How much would it cost to create the
conditions for civilisation in the third world? If
the impoverished could see hope rather than a
continuation of economic struggle, wouldn't they
also hold different attitudes towards their own
doomsayers.
Eric: The West cannot--repeat CANNOT--raise the
rest of the world to its standard of living
without utterly trashing the planet. Rather, a
different, humane, sustainable type of living
standard should be the goal. In this regard the
"third world" could play the lead in appropriate
technology, affordable medicine, renewable
resources, etc., and the West could follow.
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