I do, in fact, think we have an historic responsibility to promote democratic capitalism, usually through peaceful means. Poverty is a normal condition for much of the world, and did not arise as an invention of imperialism. The rule of law within a liberal democracy, replete with civil liberties, is a pretty modern invention. It is idle to expect myriad independent lines of evolution towards that goal, like waiting for each country or region to come to modern science, technology, and pharmaceuticals on their own. Democracy has to be taught, like the scientific method and laboratory procedure. Certainly, it is more reliable to promote it through trade and travel, as well as academic and journalistic initiatives, then to wait for it to somehow emerge from the depths of repression.
Capitalism has to be taught as well. From book- keeping to banking, from investment to compound interest, capitalism is a set of practices, underwritten by contract, custom, and law, that promotes economic effiency and growth, and brings broad benefits to the community, in the end.
The United States is in a unique position to facilitate the propagation of democracy and capitalism, and should not shirk...... |
