America Bully or Benevolent?

[skywalker]

It has been said in the past (by no one here I believe) that the USA is the sole Superpower in the World today!

Superpower: n. a nation which, by reason of its economic, political and military strength, influences the policies of less powerful nations. (The New Lexicon Webster's Dictionary Of The English Language)

I guess the question is whether it is a good or bad thing?

Is America a Superpower because:

1)We say it is so.
2)Other nations say it is so.
3)We fought a boxing match with the Soviet Union and were the last ones standing.
4)We have the most influence.
5)We are the most benevolent.
6)We are the most arrogant.
7)We have the most wealth.
8)We have the most bombs (of many varieties).
9)It is a catchy name and no other Nation claims it at the moment.
10)We earned it.
11)We deserve it.
12)The world owes us this title.
13)We think no other nation comes close to us.

I like to think it is because we truly do try to make the World a better place for everone, even if we are mostly misunderstood. I also believe we are not perfect and mess things up at times.

I think the title should be removed from the American Psyche. When there were 2 Superpowers it seemed to be a way to show there were 2 nations holding each other in check and balancing things. Now the word feels selfserving and arrogant. The word needs to go. We are supposed to be a World Leader, in some issues it seems we are a World Deserter.

Any Thoughts?

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Still The Most Humbly Prideful (?) Member Of The Illuminati!

Mark

[Barry the Sprout]

You have a point but it should be said that all Empires end - even Economic ones (which is essentially what the US is in general these days). Sorry if I can't really elaborate on this point but I actually have to go now. Just wanted to stick my oar in I suppose.

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Life is like a piece of cheese. Mice only enjoy it in cartoons and it is better with toast

[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by skywalker: It has been said in the past (by no one here I believe) that the USA is the sole Superpower in the World today! Superpower: n. a nation which, by reason of its economic, political and military strength, influences the policies of less powerful nations. (The New Lexicon Webster's Dictionary Of The English Language) I guess the question is whether it is a good or bad thing? Is America a Superpower because: 1)We say it is so. 2)Other nations say it is so. 3)We fought a boxing match with the Soviet Union and were the last ones standing. 4)We have the most influence. 5)We are the most benevolent. 6)We are the most arrogant. 7)We have the most wealth. 8)We have the most bombs (of many varieties). 9)It is a catchy name and no other Nation claims it at the moment. 10)We earned it. 11)We deserve it. 12)The world owes us this title. 13)We think no other nation comes close to us. I like to think it is because we truly do try to make the World a better place for everone, even if we are mostly misunderstood. I also believe we are not perfect and mess things up at times. I think the title should be removed from the American Psyche. When there were 2 Superpowers it seemed to be a way to show there were 2 nations holding each other in check and balancing things. Now the word feels selfserving and arrogant. The word needs to go. We are supposed to be a World Leader, in some issues it seems we are a World Deserter. Any Thoughts?

I don't believe America is benevolent in the true sense of the word, but by no stretch are we malevolent. As with most things in life, there is middle ground. While we lean more toward benevolence on a world wide scale, we think of ourselves first.

We do those things which are in our own best interest, and historically, have done it in a benevolant manner. We do good things in the world, but for the most part, we do those things with our own interests in mind. This is not a bad thing. Doing things that are good for us and helping others along the way isn't such a bad deal for anyone involved.

As to "Superpower", I think it's still appropriate, but I don't believe we are the only one. The problem is that it was used exclusive regarding the US and the Soviet Union. The US and Soviets were the most prominent, but many nations use their economic, political, and military power to influence the policies of lesser nations. I believe Russia is a still a superpower. The Soviet Union's dissolution left many nations, and each of those "new" nations retained differing degrees of that superpower.


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"Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins."

[Ryanamur]

I'll make it short and sweet (gotta study ):

IMO, the USA are a super power for the following reasons:
1,2,3,4,7,8,10 and 13

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I'm the Wanderer without a clan... I bring justice without favorism. Though you may not agree with it, my judgement is final... and inconsequential

[skywalker]

Originally posted by Ryanamur: I'll make it short and sweet (gotta study ): IMO, the USA are a super power for the following reasons: 1,2,3,4,7,8,10 and 13

LOL! Sorry Ryanamur! Didn't mean to coax you out of you studying with this provocative thread! Now get back to your task at hand!


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Still The Most Humbly Prideful (?) Member Of The Illuminati!

Mark

[Moiraine]

Uh, Skywalker, would you talk to me as an equal if I was 1 foot tall and you were 20 feet tall ?

Does anyone take a halfling more seriously than a Stone Giant in any roleplaying game ?

Do you remember how Luke had trouble recognizing Yoda because he was so very small ?

I hope, I really do, that one day we'll build and Europe which will be able to talk to the US as an equal, not looking like a dozen of Gnomes standing on each other's shoulders !

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The world is my oyster !

[skywalker]

Originally posted by Moiraine: Uh, Skywalker, would you talk to me as an equal if I was 1 foot tall and you were 20 feet tall ? Does anyone take a halfling more seriously than a Stone Giant in any roleplaying game ? Do you remember how Luke had trouble recognizing Yoda because he was so very small ? I hope, I really do, that one day we'll build and Europe which will be able to talk to the US as an equal, not looking like a dozen of Gnomes standing on each other's shoulders !

I regard everyone as equals.

I really do feel embarrassed when I hear the USA calling itself the only Superpower! I worry that somepeople would want be treated as my equal, because I usually struggle with an inferiority complex and I don't want to bring others down to my level!

When I post stuff like this it is less about how I feel and more about wanting to know how others feel.

Moiraine! I feel humbled and I am sorry if I offended you in any way.




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Still The Most Humbly Prideful (?) Member Of The Illuminati!

Mark

[Moiraine]

Originally posted by skywalker: I regard everyone as equals. I really do feel embarrassed when I hear the USA calling itself the only Superpower! I worry that somepeople would want be treated as my equal, because I usually struggle with an inferiority complex and I don't want to bring others down to my level! When I post stuff like this it is less about how I feel and more about wanting to know how others feel. Moiraine! I feel humbled and I am sorry if I offended you in any way.

Skywalker ! I didn't mean I felt offended in any way ! Or didn't I put enough smileys ? No, I just wanted to point out that, for all the civilization we have, we all are subject to unconscious measurings, and these apply even in international politics.

I can tell you, it is very difficult to assert authority on people when you are 1 feet smaller than they !

About the US, I'm not saying that it's good or bad, just that it is a fact : you are so much bigger than we other nations are !

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The world is my oyster !

[This message has been edited by Moiraine (edited 10-29-2001).]

[Neb]

Originally posted by Moiraine: I hope, I really do, that one day we'll build and Europe which will be able to talk to the US as an equal, not looking like a dozen of Gnomes standing on each other's shoulders !

Yeah, fear the gnomes, cuz one day we're going to be big.

[skywalker]

You know, since "All men (and women) are created equal", it seems only right that the same should hold true, that all countries are equal. I guess it's a foolish expectation, but I think this World would turn a lot more smoothly if it were so!

I did see your smilies, I just wanted you to know that I really am not comfortable with the "Superpower" designation.



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Still The Most Humbly Prideful (?) Member Of The Illuminati!

Mark