The case for pragmatic idealism -- By James A Baker

[bemildred]

The principles that guide American foreign policy during the coming years will determine how successful the United States will be as it addresses the complex global challenges that confront us. A foreign policy simply rooted in values without a reasonable rationale of concrete interests will not succeed. But our foreign policy will also fail if it too narrowly focuses on the national interest and disregards the role that democratic ideals and human rights play in establishing a more secure world.

These truths will confront the next president regardless of his or her political party. He or she will face an international environment in which the use or misuse of American power in all its manifestations - military, diplomatic and economic - will bear decisively on our national security and on global stability. The United States will likely remain the pre-eminent global power for some time. But how we wield that unparalleled capability will determine exactly how long we remain at the front of the international pack.

Despite setbacks and doubts associated with the ongoing Iraq war, the most significant phenomenon shaping global affairs today remains the uniquely pre-eminent position of the United States. Compared with earlier superpowers - ancient Rome, Napoleonic France and Britain just prior to World War I - we possess far greater advantages over potential rivals.

The United States is the world's economic powerhouse. Our output represents almost a quarter of the global gross domestic product (GDP). Moreover, our performance over the past two decades has significantly outpaced that of our traditional competitors such as Japan and the countries of western Europe. And, despite the scandals that rocked corporate America earlier in this decade, we remain at the forefront of economic efficiency, innovation and entrepreneurship. In the past decade, American companies have created trillions of dollars in new wealth by spearheading products that are driving the information-technology revolution.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/II06Ak02.html

[Demeter]

1. Nobody In Iraq Is Into Nation-Building

(including us) and that's why Iraq will not be supplying its own energy needs, nor anything else, for as long as we are there. They aren't going to be good little slaves and go about their daily lives under perpetual occupation. They aren't going to stand by as US Oil rapes their resources.

And why should they? Would we? Other than our livelihoods, our rights, our freedoms, our national preserves and wilderness, and our elections, what have we ever given up freely?

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2. Well, I thought it was interesting that he decided to speak up.

And, of course, he is right that if you are going to presume to rule the world, it is imperative to do a good job, not just serve your own narrow interests.

But, as you point out, that is based on a fantasy, an illusion that we can or ought to rule the world in the first place. An unfortunate delusion that the US ruling elites became infatuated with after WWII.

[Demeter]

3. I Think I Meant This To Go Elsewhere

but it doesn't change the facts on the ground, either.

Maybe DU is playing tricks on me, or my mind is failing.

[bemildred]

4. It is nothing my friend, thanks for the kick. nt