An American Shift: U.S. Is Becoming More Isolationist
MSNBC reports that Americans seem "less enchanted as sole superpower" than we have been in the past. Citing the results of a recent Pew Research Poll (which actually was in two parts, a survey of average citizens and one of the "influentials"), the report states that just four years ago, thirty percent of those surveyed believed that America should "mind its own business internationally and let other countries get along the best they can on their own." Since that time, that number has risen to forty percent, up most sharply among Democrats (55%) and Independents (42%).
I find this desire for isolationism an example of wishful thinking on the part of some short-sighted Americans since September 11 proved it is impossible for the United States to ignore problems and let them go away. They simply won't. They will always find their way upon our shores...now, moreso than ever. I wonder how many lessons like this we must learn before we finally get it.
Even before our most recent reminder, many Americans had taken a similar stance following World War I. The United States, tired from battle and financial difficulties at home, wanted nothing to do with the problems the rest of the world was facing with Adolph Hitler and the maniacal Nazi Party of Germany and the imperialism of Japan. We learned from the events at Pearl Harbor that the world will not leave us alone.
Beyond the fact that we cannot truly become isolationist, we should not want to. We have, as a nation, been given much. We have the means and the foundation upon which much good can be done. We have seen many of the results of what can happen to a people like the Iraqis when the big kids on the block decide to use their powers for good. We see children going to school, women speaking up and taking their place in society, men and women casting votes...real votes that actually count for something. We have been given much and "to whom much is given, much is required."
Other findings state that many Americans would welcome the emergence of a second super power:
Most importantly in this report, in my opinion (please read this part!), is the revelation regarding the dichotomy between the views and attitudes of the average citizens and those of the "elites." This survey demonstrates why we should be very cautious in how much we allow negativism and nay-saying of the "influentials" to shape our thinking:
Certainly, getting involved in the world's affairs opens the door for a messy situation. There is always risk and positive results are never a certainty as we experienced in Vietnam. Nevertheless, inaction almost certainly guarantees not only the destruction of our society by those who would exploit are lack of will to fight tyranny, but it would do far worse: it would destroy the moral foundation and desire to do what is right in the world upon which this country was built.
NOTE: Several months ago, I wrote an article on my perspective of war from a biblical worldview. If you are interested, you may read it here.
I find this desire for isolationism an example of wishful thinking on the part of some short-sighted Americans since September 11 proved it is impossible for the United States to ignore problems and let them go away. They simply won't. They will always find their way upon our shores...now, moreso than ever. I wonder how many lessons like this we must learn before we finally get it.
Even before our most recent reminder, many Americans had taken a similar stance following World War I. The United States, tired from battle and financial difficulties at home, wanted nothing to do with the problems the rest of the world was facing with Adolph Hitler and the maniacal Nazi Party of Germany and the imperialism of Japan. We learned from the events at Pearl Harbor that the world will not leave us alone.
Beyond the fact that we cannot truly become isolationist, we should not want to. We have, as a nation, been given much. We have the means and the foundation upon which much good can be done. We have seen many of the results of what can happen to a people like the Iraqis when the big kids on the block decide to use their powers for good. We see children going to school, women speaking up and taking their place in society, men and women casting votes...real votes that actually count for something. We have been given much and "to whom much is given, much is required."
Other findings state that many Americans would welcome the emergence of a second super power:
The Council on Foreign Relations said its analysis found "a striking revival of isolationist sentiment among the general public." In fact, more than a third of Americans (35 percent) said it would be just fine with them if a second superpower were to emerge to challenge U.S. leadership. At the same time, fewer than half of Americans (48 percent) have a positive opinion of the United Nations, down from 77 percent just before 9/11.This reflects the fickled nature of the American public wanting their cake and eating it, too. Though many Americans say they would like a second super power, chances are high that it would not be a favorable "partner" in world affairs (as reflected in the United Nations), nor would it likely share American values of freedom and liberty to the same extent. That would lead to more problems than ever. The exception, perhaps, being a country such as Great Britain, though in many respects, much of the British population is as fickled or moreso than the American population. No offense, Britain. I love you, but your people tend to be more quickly impatient with leadership and you are several steps ahead of us in the secularization of society and leadership which always leads to nowhere fast. If there is nothing solid upon which to build the moral direction of a super power, its decisions and value-judgments will eventually become muddled and capricious, caving to the whims of a people.
Most importantly in this report, in my opinion (please read this part!), is the revelation regarding the dichotomy between the views and attitudes of the average citizens and those of the "elites." This survey demonstrates why we should be very cautious in how much we allow negativism and nay-saying of the "influentials" to shape our thinking:
If anything, the "influentials" (the report's shorthand for its sample of opinion leaders) are even gloomier about America's world prospects than the public as a whole. For example, 37 percent of Americans as a whole believe the U.S. effort to establish a stable democracy in Iraq will fail, but that view is held by 84 percent of scientists, 71 percent of foreign affairs specialists and 63 percent of journalists.We must be careful following the leadership of the "influentials," a group defined by Pew as "journalists, academics, state and local government officials, religious leaders and experts in foreign affairs, national security, science, engineering and the military." Yes, I noticed that religious leaders are in that category, too. I agree that they should be. There are a lot of theological perspectives flying around, all of which must be passed through the filter of Scripture in order to arrive at their level of truth (see my previous post for an example of one "religious authority"--among many--worthy of discounting).
Meanwhile, while 44 percent of Americans believe the war in Iraq has damaged the international struggle against terrorism, higher percentages in every opinion leader category hold that view, including military leaders and 82 percent of those who study foreign affairs for a living.
And, except for military leaders, all of the categories of "influentials" are more downbeat about prospects for democracy in the Middle East. Even then, only 34 percent of the public (and the same percentage of military leaders) believe it will ever happen; by comparison, only 17 percent of foreign affairs specialists and 14 percent of security experts agree.
Certainly, getting involved in the world's affairs opens the door for a messy situation. There is always risk and positive results are never a certainty as we experienced in Vietnam. Nevertheless, inaction almost certainly guarantees not only the destruction of our society by those who would exploit are lack of will to fight tyranny, but it would do far worse: it would destroy the moral foundation and desire to do what is right in the world upon which this country was built.
NOTE: Several months ago, I wrote an article on my perspective of war from a biblical worldview. If you are interested, you may read it here.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 11/18/2005 04:15:00 PM
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