Coercive Diplomacy...

[Bread and Circus]

I believe Clinton stated last night she believed in "coercive diplomacy". It gave me pause.

Now I will admit I enjoyed both candidates last night and this the only comment that stuck in my craw. Something about coercion and diplomacy just doesn't go together. It reminds me of the joke "beatings will continue until morale improves". I'm not going on the warpath today against Clinton but did anyone else rubbed wrong by that statement? I understand carrots and sticks and all that but "coercive diplomacy" feels a little heavy handed.

[reality based]

1. I think she was referring to the Clinton policies with respect to Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo

and the other former Yugoslavian states, as well as the periodic bombings of targets in Iraq whenever Saddam Hussein would try to defy the UN.

[Captain Hilts]

2. It can be with positive or negative inducements. It's how diplomacy works. nt

[Bread and Circus]

4. I believe in coercion, I believe in diplomacy, and sometimes force..

but to me they are 3 different things.

To call coercion "diplomacy" is like calling the Clean Skies Act the "Clean Skies Act". It's dressing up something to make it look like what it is not.

That's part of the problem with the US's image in the world. We try to take on the mantle of the Beacon of Light in the World but we resort to thuggery to do it. People know we aren't an honest participant as much as we'd like to be perceived.

[Captain Hilts]

5. No. Countries have different debts and obligations with each other just as people do.

And, like people, sometimes they don't want to reciprocate, that's when you use coercive diplomacy.

[mac56]

3. I agree.

Not easily defensible.

[stillcool]

6. I think that means bombs.

[Coexist]

7. I think coercive, in light of the recent hearings,

might be an unfortunate adjective.

It brings to mind "coercive tactics". Clinton should find a different word.
Even carrot and stick diplomacy works better.

[Straight Shooter]

8. Teddy Roosevelt: "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

Old African proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far."

Remember that Joe Wilson endorses Hillary. It would be nice if he were her Secretary of State and in charge of "coercive diplomacy."