Should the United States act with humility in international affairs?

[akv]

Should the United States act with humility in international affairs?
John R. Bolton, Incharacter.org

No...

“A United States infused with humility works right up until Europeans — and we ourselves — need real protection."

For individuals, humility is typically considered a desirable virtue, in contrast to its opposite number, pride, often deprecated and broadly perceived as a less-desirable personal characteristic. Both humility and pride are, of course, simply different aspects of situational self-awareness, divergent points along the continuum of behavior toward other people. Humility connotes modesty and respect for others, while pride is seen as masking arrogance, and is frequently accompanied by a swaggering cohort of other undesirable attributes.

It is therefore far from surprising that Dwight Eisenhower normally wins the contest for "most popular" over Lyndon Johnson. Alternatively, Winston Churchill once described his political opponent, Labour Party leader Clement Attlee, as "a modest man with much to be modest about." Churchill's humility was obviously not his strongest suit; he insisted even to his own family, "I am a great man." Indeed he was. Humility in the face of Hitler and Nazi Germany, despite Gandhi's advice not to resist a fascist invasion of Britain, would have rendered Churchill an abject failure in history.

Accordingly, the appropriate balance for individuals is unresolvable. And yet, notwithstanding the imponderables involved in appropriately sizing and judging humanity one by one, we have nonetheless long analogized large political entities - from empires to kingdoms to nation-states - to individuals. We do it in many ways, large and small, perhaps because it is easier to grasp international complexities in familiar terms, or perhaps for propaganda purposes to enhance or delegitimize the holders of various anthropomorphic attributes.

Assigning human characteristics to political organizations, however, is essentially false and misleading, and often dangerous. All nations have interests, and some have values, and their respective interests and values frequently conflict. Some, like Woodrow Wilson and his followers (Barack Obama comes to mind) see essentially all conflicts as resolvable through diplomatic means, essentially advocating humility as a way of international life, especially for the most powerful, like their own country. Others, notably Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, see conflict as a more inherent human quality, to be avoided when possible but accepted when the costs to core values and interests would be too high. The Wilsonians see this as the sin of pride replacing humility, with necessarily adverse consequences, although they cite no evidence that humility ever deterred belligerence. Indeed, in the international arena, humility can be fatal.

And this is the real question: both the Wilson-Obama and Roosevelt-Reagan schools want international peace and security, but they diverge significantly on methods. Thus for both analysts and policy makers, at least in American terms, what we should want is cold-blooded realism. Instead of constantly wondering whether we are highly enough regarded by friends and foes, whether in their universities or their salons, we should worry about whether we and our global friends and allies are adequately protected. International politics is not domestic campaign politics, and public opinion polls rarely determine outcomes. Our inquiry is far from simply a military calculation, but necessarily encompasses political and economic factors to ascertain whether our "big stick" is in fact big enough.

Realism is not some midpoint between humility and pride, but a professional attribute of statecraft, something necessary at the national government level in ways personal characteristics simply are not. Without realism, as in Wilson's case, the consequences are rarely favorable and are often deeply wounding to our national interests. And even where it is present, it is only a necessary and rarely a sufficient condition for success, as the consummate realist Richard Nixon (rarely characterized as having deep humility) found in Vietnam. Nor would humility have fared better as national policy in Vietnam; it may simply have advanced the date of the Communist victory and ensuing subjugation of South Vietnam and the Khmer Rouge's mass murder in Cambodia.

Of course, no one disputes that optics and political posturing can have their benefits, so that an ostensibly low-key approach may be desirable in appropriate circumstances. It was, after all, Theodore Roosevelt who advised that we should "speak softly," and he actually won a Nobel Peace Prize for accomplishing something, brokering peace following the Russo-Japanese War. But beneath the optics must lie the hard reality, which almost inevitably involves assertive advocacy of American interests. This does not mean an overly prideful approach or insufficient humility; it simply has nothing to do with these individual human attributes.

Despite the Europe-centric notion that America was an isolationist country out of the global mainstream until World War I, we have faced threats and challenges throughout our history, generally with a deep understanding of the calculus of power, what the Marxists like to call the "correlation of forces." Today, despite the current economic turmoil, we still find ourselves incredibly strong, in both comparative and absolute terms, and this strength helps define the choices we face. Those favoring the halo-surrounded path of humility argue that our strength is too prideful and is actually a source of many current challenges, and that less strength and more humility will reduce those challenges. This is certainly the predominant view in Europe, and seemingly also now prevails in Obama-era Washington.

The more realistic view is that American weakness, not our strength, is provocative, as the Europeans should better understand after almost sixty-five years of sheltering under the American umbrella. A United States infused with humility works right up until they - and we ourselves - need real protection. It is realism's virtue never to forget that lesson.

...

John R. Bolton, a diplomat and lawyer, was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from August 2005 to December 2006 and is a former undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. He is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C.

http://incharacter.org/pro-con/shoul...ional-affairs/

[ZonieDiver]

The more realistic view is that American weakness, not our strength, is provocative, as the Europeans should better understand after almost sixty-five years of sheltering under the American umbrella. A United States infused with humility works right up until they - and we ourselves - need real protection. It is realism's virtue never to forget that lesson.

"The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee." --Regis Philbin

[Scimitar]

I am not even close to being an expert on international studies, however an observation...

...as an American incognito, I have the somewhat unique pleasure of sitting around coffee tables in a number of countries and being the fly on the wall while upper middle class + non-Americans discuss America. They think there isn't an American in ear shot...A benefit of having been raised overseas is I can jump between accents...

...A least subjectively we have most definitely lost the MSM public relations war...The majority (I mean 80%) of folks when speaking freely and honestly dislike America at least in the political realm and many 30%+- down right despise her...and honestly they're not THAT smart not to carry that opinion over to any and all interactions with her.

Are they all sheeple with no real understanding of how the world really works...sure....do they secretly believe that if you just walk up to that man with the waist coat and the dead-man’s trigger and just offer him a hug, it'd fix everything...well let me say this...it continually shocks me what people believe actually goes on out there.

However here's my point...whichever way you play it... the US "comes across" as a down right real arrogant SOB...sure it's MSM BS...perception is reality... who cares if their right or wrong...peoples mass opinion of us will ultimately seep thru into the realm of politics in the democratic countries at least...politicians have to, to a certain degree, "represent" the "opinions" of their constituents.

Humility in international relations...sure it's a bad ideal...but honestly when I'm sitting watching T.V. overseas and I see some American saying..."We're the BEST country in the world"...are they right...personally I think they are...but saying it out load just makes us look like a dick.

I love America cos I can succeed and no one hates me for it...Google “Tall Poppy Syndrome”…but a lot of the rest of the world doesn't play that way...better to treat an immature adult like a child then to treat a child like an adult.

I simply can't believe that we can't do a better job with our International PR image...my experience...people hated Bush until we voted him in a second time... then they just hated us. P.S. I'm a Republican thru and thru.

We’re a smart country with a hell of a lot of resource at hand; surely we can project one image to the MSM while we project another to political leaders? I can’t believe it's because we've tried our best and failed...my gut is we just don't care "Fuck 'em, they can think what they want"...well honestly that reminds me of a CEO friend I was talking to recently, we were discussing politics in the Board Room, he said "Surely we can have a Boardroom with no politics", I said "Please don't be naive".

"Fuck 'em, they can think what they want"...it most certainly feels like we think like that..."Please don't be naive"

DISCLAIMER: I agree with none of the foreign opinions....but it's what I see...a lot of.

Just MOO


Scimitar

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Scimitar

I simply can't believe that we can't do a better job with our International PR image...my experience...people hated Bush until we voted him in a second time... then they just hated us. P.S. I'm a Republican thru and thru.

We’re a smart country with a hell of a lot of resource at hand; surely we can project one image to the MSM while we project another to political leaders? I can’t believe it's because we've tried our best and failed...my gut is we just don't care "Fuck 'em, they can think what they want"...well honestly that reminds me of a CEO friend I was talking to recently, we were discussing politics in the Board Room, he said "Surely we can have a Boardroom with no politics", I said "Please don't be naive".

"Fuck 'em, they can think what they want"...it most certainly feels like we think like that..."Please don't be naive"

DISCLAIMER: I agree with none of the foreign opinions....but it's what I see...a lot of.

Just MOO


Scimitar

Where do people get their perceptions of America and our military?

What do the MSM print about the US and the military?

How many movies have you seen that reflect positively on the US military since the Vietnam War?

Our own media constantly presents the "America is bad" image for global distribution.

You could never print the bald truth elsewhere, here we allow them to make bad shit up.

TR

[afchic]

Originally Posted by Scimitar

I am not even close to being an expert on international studies, however an observation...

...as an American incognito, I have the somewhat unique pleasure of sitting around coffee tables in a number of countries and being the fly on the wall while upper middle class + non-Americans discuss America. They think there isn't an American in ear shot...A benefit of having been raised overseas is I can jump between accents...

...A least subjectively we have most definitely lost the MSM public relations war...The majority (I mean 80%) of folks when speaking freely and honestly dislike America at least in the political realm and many 30%+- down right despise her...and honestly they're not THAT smart not to carry that opinion over to any and all interactions with her.

Are they all sheeple with no real understanding of how the world really works...sure....do they secretly believe that if you just walk up to that man with the waist coat and the dead-man’s trigger and just offer him a hug, it'd fix everything...well let me say this...it continually shocks me what people believe actually goes on out there.

However here's my point...whichever way you play it... the US "comes across" as a down right real arrogant SOB...sure it's MSM BS...perception is reality... who cares if their right or wrong...peoples mass opinion of us will ultimately seep thru into the realm of politics in the democratic countries at least...politicians have to, to a certain degree, "represent" the "opinions" of their constituents.

Humility in international relations...sure it's a bad ideal...but honestly when I'm sitting watching T.V. overseas and I see some American saying..."We're the BEST country in the world"...are they right...personally I think they are...but saying it out load just makes us look like a dick.

I love America cos I can succeed and no one hates me for it...Google “Tall Poppy Syndrome”…but a lot of the rest of the world doesn't play that way...better to treat an immature adult like a child then to treat a child like an adult.

I simply can't believe that we can't do a better job with our International PR image...my experience...people hated Bush until we voted him in a second time... then they just hated us. P.S. I'm a Republican thru and thru.

We’re a smart country with a hell of a lot of resource at hand; surely we can project one image to the MSM while we project another to political leaders? I can’t believe it's because we've tried our best and failed...my gut is we just don't care "Fuck 'em, they can think what they want"...well honestly that reminds me of a CEO friend I was talking to recently, we were discussing politics in the Board Room, he said "Surely we can have a Boardroom with no politics", I said "Please don't be naive".

"Fuck 'em, they can think what they want"...it most certainly feels like we think like that..."Please don't be naive"

DISCLAIMER: I agree with none of the foreign opinions....but it's what I see...a lot of.

Just MOO


Scimitar

My feeling, having spent a whole lot of time overseas, is that even when presented with images of the contrary (Tsunami relief in Indonesia, earthquake relief in Pakistan, Haiti, help with mudslides in Central America, etc etc etc...) they still hate us.

No nation on this earth provides as much humanitarian aide in terms of contributions by the government and by individual civilians opening their checkbooks both in terms of outright dollars, and per capita, than the people of the USA. No one even comes close. When something goes wrong somewhere we are 9 times out of 10, the first on the ground to help.

Yet those complaining about us, don't want to acknowledge that, because it would put a stake through the heart of their argument.

I am getting to the point of agree with the "Fuck them, I don't care what they think" way of international relations.

When was the last time Hugo Chavez sent any sizable contribution to any nation in need? When was the last time the nut job in Iran did the same?

Our friends know that we are their friends. Our enemies should know that we are their enemy. Anyone that thinks it is in their best interest to sit on the fence, can just get out of the way as far as I am concerned.

[Expatriate]

Originally Posted by afchic

My feeling, having spent a whole lot of time overseas, is that even when presented with images of the contrary (Tsunami relief in Indonesia, earthquake relief in Pakistan, Haiti, help with mudslides in Central America, etc etc etc...) they still hate us.

Any conception that this was not true was immediately dispelled following an International Relations lecture I attended. The bulk of the professor's hour long spiel consisted of her attempting to demonstrate that US aid efforts in Haiti were being provided in order to covertly turn Haiti into a sort of imperial territory........

I did not attend any of the following lectures provided by the same woman. Just not worth bothering to even try and decipher the warped logic this argument exhibited.

[newbie]

I agree with Scimitar. Having spent a great deal of time and years living abroad, mostly in central america and the caribbean, gone to college and traveled europe...I've been around ALOT of people with liberal leanings. Most if not nearly all my friends (save those ex-miltary folks) are liberal, and pretty much believe the things scimitar was talking about. Another frightening fact is how many actually believe that the U.S. government perpetrated 9/11 and that the conservative "conspiracy" is true. These people; European, south american, asian, etc. all believe that we are some sort of evil empire. Whenever I tried to persuade them otherwise, they would simply consider me a "lost soul". It's always amazing to me, that liberal people who claim to be fair, and unbiased, are usually less educated on the facts, and the other side of the argument. They watch a youtube 9/11 conspiracy doc. and take it as gospel...then claim that fox news is biased. blows my mind. When I began living abroad I was open minded and slightly subdued with my american pride...but after a year or so, i brought out the "im american, so what, go fuck yourself" attitude big time. We should all be proud of our country, not ashamed. Screw those pussies who wear canadian flags on their packs


though, I will say this. When we travel, we are ambassadors. Being a "loud american" is the surest way to get ripped off, jerked around, and otherwise mistreated abroad. I keep my mouth shut unless people ask my opinions. " Walk softly, and carry a big stick"... smarter words were never spoken.

[ZonieDiver]

Originally Posted by Expatriate

Any conception that this was not true was immediately dispelled following an International Relations lecture I attended. The bulk of the professor's hour long spiel consisted of her attempting to demonstrate that US aid efforts in Haiti were being provided in order to covertly turn Haiti into a sort of imperial territory........

I did not attend any of the following lectures provided by the same woman. Just not worth bothering to even try and decipher the warped logic this argument exhibited.

Said aid was given AFTER the U.S.'s "earthquake machine" caused the earthquake JUST so we could go in and give aid in order to make it an "imperial territory"! She is probably on to something. More likely, she is ON something.

[craigepo]

Stop expecting so much from humanity, enlightened or otherwise. We killed Christ and Gandhi. Do you really expect the masses to understand geopolitical strategy when we can't even get brotherly love right?

[Scimitar]

Originally Posted by newbie

I agree with Scimitar. Having spent a great deal of time and years living abroad, mostly in central America and the Caribbean, gone to college and traveled Europe...I've been around ALOT of people with liberal leanings. Most if not nearly all my friends (save those ex-military folks) are liberal, and pretty much believe the things scimitar was talking about.

The scary thing here newbie is that I almost always walk in the Right wing part of the world. I expect the ultra-lefties to think this way. But I'm talking about Commercial Street here.

When we start losing the right wing, I become concerned.

Look, we've all seen what the spin Doctors can do; it just seems to me as a nation we haven't bothered hiring any of them. "If we don't care what they think", why would we waste money on making sure our message gets out there?

Scimitar

[Scimitar]

Originally Posted by craigepo

Stop expecting so much from humanity, enlightened or otherwise. We killed Christ and Gandhi. Do you really expect the masses to understand geopolitical strategy when we can't even get brotherly love right?

I agree 100%. But it feels like we sit here saying "The truth will come out eventually". From my experience it doesn't. That’s naive.

Are 90% of them Sheeple who get mezmorized by MSM...sure....so what are we doing about it to spin it back in our favour. We're sure getting spun against?

This question is far above my pay grade, but from down here I'm not seeing a lot of effort? I see no concerted, cohesive, strategic effort to manage our image over the mid to long term in at least the democratic part of the world, where people vote with their opinions - educated or otherwise.


Scimitar

[Pete]

Poor folks hate "The Bossman"

People hate anyone they seem to think is better than them. "The Bossman" only got that way by steppin' on little folks on the way up.

Yeap, they'll all sit around on the porch drinkin' beer, smokin' some weed and telling each other that - while "The Bossman" is still at working, cleaning up the place, working orders and updating the books.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by afchic

My feeling, having spent a whole lot of time overseas, is that even when presented with images of the contrary (Tsunami relief in Indonesia, earthquake relief in Pakistan, Haiti, help with mudslides in Central America, etc etc etc...) they still hate us.

No nation on this earth provides as much humanitarian aide in terms of contributions by the government and by individual civilians opening their checkbooks both in terms of outright dollars, and per capita, than the people of the USA. No one even comes close. When something goes wrong somewhere we are 9 times out of 10, the first on the ground to help.

Yet those complaining about us, don't want to acknowledge that, because it would put a stake through the heart of their argument.

I am getting to the point of agree with the "Fuck them, I don't care what they think" way of international relations.

When was the last time Hugo Chavez sent any sizable contribution to any nation in need? When was the last time the nut job in Iran did the same?

Our friends know that we are their friends. Our enemies should know that we are their enemy. Anyone that thinks it is in their best interest to sit on the fence, can just get out of the way as far as I am concerned.

Very well stated, I can agree with you completely.............

Big Teddy

[Richard]

Personally - and based upon my experiences - I think the USA should act with the appropriate level of dignity required of its perceived status among the world's nations.

Richard's $.02

[Richard]

Well...I guess that's one technique.

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02