Good point, maxn'. After WWII, the US filled the power vacuum because we were about the only ones who could. Instead of easing back as other countries recovered and became prosperous again, we kept on filling that vacuum. And they let us, with glee.
If the suggestion is that we should have eased back and forced them to participate more, I'd tend to agree. But, we didn't, at least not enough. So, here we are.
Now, our position as the "boss" (power, protector, overlord, whatever term seems to fit best) is just expected. Not surprisingly, other countries figured out that they could tax as much as they wanted and spend the money at home for non-defense purposes. They can't suddenly step up to the plate now, or they'd face unacceptable political choices and monetary pressures. So, they just wouldn't spend more for their own defense, even in the face of clear and present threats to themselves such as in Bosnia.
If we don't fill the vacuum, the bad guys will. It will take at least as long to untangle our participation as it took to get us tangled. |
