I thought much of what he said struck me as pretty commonplace by now
Tekboy,
I think it is quite rare to find a big piece in the popular media that addresses the broad problems inherent in the idea of American Imperialism and the broad messiness of the world situation. I think that the public debate about the American foreign policy and world situation has been lacking thoughtful critique and dissent. There are many single factor critics but few who take into account the many ambigous and contradictory factors shaping the world now. In the end, Ignatieff never resolved his ambivalence but he does cover a lot of ground that I do not see covered in the popular media often.
Also, I think that the bulk of current American foreign policy activism is quite predictable if one takes three things into account--the rise in relative power that has occurred over the last decade, the basic nature of American political ideals, and the catalyzing impact of 9/11. So I personally think that the supposed novelty or importance of the discussion or thought or what have you that has taken place over the last year and change--including the much ballyhooed National Security Strategy--is vastly overplayed. IMHO, that is, it's all been superstructural hot air, driven primarily by changes in the material base and the triggering effects of contingent historical events.
All due respect tekboy but isn't his paragraph self-contradictory? If one takes into account what is new and unique about the situation, then it is predictable and overplayed? Is it possible that you have become climatized to the new situation?
the rise in relative power that has occurred over the last decade, the basic nature of American political ideals, and the catalyzing impact of 9/11
As I have said before, "Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?".
PS anybody really interested in following what the big-league debate over American grand strategy in the post-Cold-War era has been should check out this collection, which contains many of the "greatest hits" of that discussion:
Wow, I was bemoaning the lack of just such a book over the holidays. Post-Cold War for Dummies. Just what I need and I look forward to reading it. Thanks.
Paul |
