State of the Nation and 21st Century Leadership

Studying political science can at times be a trying pursuit.  When I first began to read on The United States’ Latin American pursuits in the 20^th century, for a while it was hard to have much faith at all in the better virtues of the country.  In contrast with some of the more idealistic writings on earlier periods of our history, and the rosy visions of values the nation was built upon; studying COINTELPRO, United Fruit and the Iran Contra scandals paint a bleak picture of US international relations.

The start of a new year is a good time to reflect the past, and at the moment the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East provide a focal point where US foreign relations are concerned.  Just a few days ago on Democracy Now! Amy Goodman spoke with investigative journalist and activist Allan Nairn, about just this subject.  The pair discussed the role the US is taking on a global stage in the 21^st century, in light of our continued military pursuits and the nation’s economic floundering.

In his past works, Nairn has earned infamy and awards for exposition on some of the worst applications of US military and economic power.  Thus it should come as little surprise that Nairn’s discussions with Goodman on drone attacks and other such fierce ethical dilemmas are strikingly critical of the US.  Though in our current political climate it’s easy to take comments like Nairn’s as “anti-American”, dissenting voices like his are necessary to the exchange of ideas and the democratic process.

In a nation as wealthy as the United States, complacency is always a threat.  We don’t live under constant fear of violence (however frightful the war on terror might be) and most of our daily concerns are over degrees of comfort rather than basic survival.   Though they interrupt our comfortable lives, dissenting voices serve a valuable role in questioning the current state of our society.  As disheartening as Democracy Now! and programs like it might be at times, it’d be a shame to remain unaware of the consequences of our daily actions domestically and abroad.

It’s worrisome to think that as our economic woes continue, our military efforts increasingly become the centerpiece of United States influence abroad.  Particularly in light of recent calls to cut our investment in foreign aid, it might be worth it for all Americans (not just those in Congress) to consider just what role we intend the country to take in shaping the world throughout future years.  If nothing else, perhaps this is one more way in which the recovery of the US economy is relevant to everyone.