Traveling abroad gives you a completely different point of view of the world you live in. As I am Canadian and I lately went to historically communist countries like Vietnam and Cuba, I have a not so typical point of view of the United States’ place in the world and in its foreign policy approach.
I literally was told by an old Cuban teacher that “America is the demon” while he was talking about the embargo on his country. I do not believe like him that America is completely evil, or else I would probably not be studying in beautiful California. But on the other hand, I must admit that I feel that America does “cross the line” sometimes.
Seeing the firsthand effect of Agent Orange on Vietnamese children such as physical or mental deformations, deafness and skin diseases all over the country were shocking and loathsome. Fifty years later, the Cold War and American invasions still have their toll on populations throughout the entire world.
When you really think about it, the fact that the United States of America calls itself “America” means a lot about how it sees its position in the world. Aren’t Canadians, Mexicans and Brazilians “American” too?
The United States is still just a country last time I heard, not a whole continent. To me, that is a perfect example of the status it has over other countries.
In some aspects, that superiority feeling is justified. It is indeed the first democratic power in the entire world. The history about how it rose from being a small colony in the middle of nowhere to the strongest power in the world is fascinating.
It is the only country who got out of both world wars stronger than it was before and kept that power very alive until now.
As State Secretary Hilary Clinton wrote in Foreign Policy magazine in 2011, there is “no doubt” America’s status as the most powerful country in the world is recognized and isn’t likely to change over the next century.
“[Our power] flows from our model of free democracy and free enterprise, a model that remains the most powerful source of prosperity and progress known to humankind,” said Clinton. “…our military is by far the strongest, and our economy is by far the largest in the world. Our workers are the most productive. Our universities are renowned the world over.”
I couldn’t agree more with her. But still, there is a downside to that. Traveling in countries that were injured by American presence or economic decisions got me thinking. How is it okay, even in a globalized world, that the U.S. imposes some of its views over other countries without their approval? Isn’t that a new form of imperialism? Shouldn’t democracy be wanted, rather than imposed?
Maria Ortuoste, assistant professor in political science at CSUEB who received her Ph.D. from Arizona State University said that America is a country that has always won every war it’s been involved in.
“American superiority is a product of economic and political successes,” Ortuoste said. “And the truth is, most of the international organizations such as NATO and the U.N. were mostly built by the United States and they made sure their own power would be institutionalized, by having vetoes and exceptional powers.”
I am afraid that makes America sometimes act like “the biggest kid on the block” by justifying its actions by its own national interest, rather than acting as a caring parent who should lead by example. I do not think that a lot of countries would dare to act the same way and to the same extent as the U.S.
Ortuoste said that America should be bound by international law; but because of the current balance of power in the world, “who’s gonna make them?”
“They have the largest part of the vote in all international organizations. Such organizations are made to check other countries, not themselves,” said Ortuoste.
“But I do think that there is such a thing as living in a community of states. The U.S. enjoys a lot of liberties, but also has responsibilities,” explained Ortuoste. “It should play by international laws, partly because they set those rules themselves, but also to show the example for other countries.”
The motto of the province where I am from is “I remember.” I deeply think that applying that motto would be very good for American foreign policy because it would help them understand the position of countries that are not yet as developed as America.
Not so long ago American democracy was not as democratic as it is now. People of colordid not have the same rights as others. Those inequalities did not change in just one day. Other countries need that same opportunity to have the time to change as well.
For that, diplomacy and cooperation with America are prime needs. I deeply believe that the USA needs to be a caring friend for those countries who want to develop in that direction by using soft power, rather than military power.
