quarta-feira, julho 30, 2003
Michael Novak
Um artigo na de Michael Novak na NRO sobre o anti-americanismo e a hegemonia americana.
When some American critics (ineptly) describe America as an empire-to make fellow Americans feel guilty — they define empire by an abiding American concern to keep international trade routes open; and by American preparedness since World War II to fight two wars at any one time, as we had to do in Asia and Europe from 1941 right through the Soviet threat until 1989. They blame our economic motives and our military motives. They do not mean acquisition of territory, just worldwide watchfulness and worldwide activities.
But think of the alternative. An isolationist America unwilling or unable to argue for free trade, and to keep the trade lanes open, would dash the hopes of every nation seeking to emerge from poverty by entering the "circle of economic prosperity" constituted by that trade.
An America unwilling to help democratic forces and those seeking protection of their human rights, everywhere around the world, would not have presided over the growth of democracies in the world from 4 in 1900 to 30 in 1974 to 117 today. The vast populations moving out of poverty since 1950, those moving from illiteracy to literacy, and those whose average age at death jumped from roughly 41 to 62, made these advances during the period of American preeminence. At least a little of this worldwide progress is owed to the blood shed by Americans (and many others) in overcoming massive tyrannies, and to the treasure and techniques Americans shared with those in need.
America neither deserves nor desires uncritical love, by Europeans or anyone else. But does it not seem at least a little ungenerous and, compared to real alternatives, utterly groundless to give currency to calumnies about America? Such calumnies now circulate widely among intelligent people in Europe, who have reason to know better. For your own self-respect, dear friends, raise questions about them.
About our faults and misjudgments say all you will. Only, I urge you, cleave to the truth. That garment best becomes what Europe stands for.
posted by Miguel Noronha 8:12 da tarde
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