2008 Woodie Awards
Global Concern: Changing the Context of U.S. Foreign Policy
John Ferreira
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: Opinions
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In order to win the War on Terror we, the United States, must win over the hearts and minds of those in the Middle East and the Third World. So far, we have failed miserably at winning hearts and minds. Some Americans are perplexed as to why third world nations hate us. Those Americans think America is a nation of freedom and prosperity and we are far better off than all those other countries.
The reason why world hates America is because of our nonsensical hypocritical myopic foreign policy which has us fighting the wrong battle more times that not. Since America has risen to prominence on the world stage, America has followed a realist dictum of pursuing narrow self interest that has not served us well. If one follows their self-interest for too long they end up alone with no friends. American is quickly burning bridges by becoming a tool of oppression to many nations throughout the world.
I suggest something that might seem heretical to those foreign policies wizards in Washington: we must change the context of American foreign policy from seeking out our own narrow self-interest to aiding other nations around the world pursue their interests. Contrary to popular belief those two things are not necessarily visceral enemies. Helping nations around the world fulfill their interests will actually help America in the long run. The United States must seek to rebuild friendships in a reasonable and principled manner.
While Americans view themselves and righteous and a benevolent force in the world, many view us as an imperialist power out to line our pockets. American bestrides the world as a colossus, the world's hyper power if you will. Under the American tenure the world has not improved all that much. Thirty or more conflicts continue to wage, Islamic fundamentalism has changed from a vaporous specter to a concrete force challenging America, ethnic cleansing in Rwanda and Bosnia, and a war of biblical proportions has been fought in Zaire/Congo. The United States supports democracy for some, but not for all. America cares about freedom and self-determination but only when it helps our interests. If you were a citizen in a nation that was oppressed by a brutal regime supported by America how would you view the US?
Our policy does nothing but antagonize those that could be our friends and further polarizes our enemies. America must aid struggling economies throughout the world because stability will ensue with a more economically vibrant world. America must stop flip-flopping (I haven't used that word in a while) on how it views leaders and nations. Flip-flopping hurts our long term interests and leads to more anti-American feelings. America must also respect the self-determination and sovereignty of other nations. I find that there is an inherent prejudice that suggests that other peoples are not capable of running viable states.
As the world's only hyperpower America has the unique the chance to be a force for good in the world, but it seems to be throwing that chance away by being selfish and blind to what other nations need.
The reason why world hates America is because of our nonsensical hypocritical myopic foreign policy which has us fighting the wrong battle more times that not. Since America has risen to prominence on the world stage, America has followed a realist dictum of pursuing narrow self interest that has not served us well. If one follows their self-interest for too long they end up alone with no friends. American is quickly burning bridges by becoming a tool of oppression to many nations throughout the world.
I suggest something that might seem heretical to those foreign policies wizards in Washington: we must change the context of American foreign policy from seeking out our own narrow self-interest to aiding other nations around the world pursue their interests. Contrary to popular belief those two things are not necessarily visceral enemies. Helping nations around the world fulfill their interests will actually help America in the long run. The United States must seek to rebuild friendships in a reasonable and principled manner.
While Americans view themselves and righteous and a benevolent force in the world, many view us as an imperialist power out to line our pockets. American bestrides the world as a colossus, the world's hyper power if you will. Under the American tenure the world has not improved all that much. Thirty or more conflicts continue to wage, Islamic fundamentalism has changed from a vaporous specter to a concrete force challenging America, ethnic cleansing in Rwanda and Bosnia, and a war of biblical proportions has been fought in Zaire/Congo. The United States supports democracy for some, but not for all. America cares about freedom and self-determination but only when it helps our interests. If you were a citizen in a nation that was oppressed by a brutal regime supported by America how would you view the US?
Our policy does nothing but antagonize those that could be our friends and further polarizes our enemies. America must aid struggling economies throughout the world because stability will ensue with a more economically vibrant world. America must stop flip-flopping (I haven't used that word in a while) on how it views leaders and nations. Flip-flopping hurts our long term interests and leads to more anti-American feelings. America must also respect the self-determination and sovereignty of other nations. I find that there is an inherent prejudice that suggests that other peoples are not capable of running viable states.
As the world's only hyperpower America has the unique the chance to be a force for good in the world, but it seems to be throwing that chance away by being selfish and blind to what other nations need.