The End of the American Century documents the interrelated dimensions of American social, economic, political and international decline, marking the end of a period of economic affluence and world dominance that began with World War II. The war on terror and the Iraq War exacerbated American domestic weakness and malaise, and its image and stature in the world community. Dynamic economic and political powers like China and the European Union are steadily challenging and eroding US global influence. This global shift will require substantial adjustments for U.S. citizens and leaders alike.
David Mason and Fareed Zakaria were interviewed this morning (Thursday) on Canada's CBC Radio program "The Currents" with Anna Maria Tremonti. We each discussed themes of our books, The End of the American Century and The Post-American World and how those related to the tasks facing the Obama presidency. You can hear the half-hour program at the program's website a this link.
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Professor Mason
With all due respects as I was driving and listening to your interview by Anna Maria Tremonti CBC Radio you made several points with which I take issue. First I agree that most Americans have a false sense of pride in that
they think that America is a beacon of Democracy and that they are number one. From what you said to Tremonte you seem to also fall into this category when you claim that US was the beacon of democracy in the 20th Century.
Maybe you need a refresher course in American History or maybe you just need to read Howard Zinn’s book The People’s History of the US as a reality check. Most American academics seem to be in denial about the US role in Asia, Africa and the Americas in the 20th century. There are so many example of brutal violation of international law and I will not waste time reminding you of them. Even in America proper the government is an entrenchment of a
two party system as Raul Castro said it’s like voting for him or his brother. There is no such thing as social democracy in your country and the whole world sees it except those who write about it in America. Yes I agree that the standard of living of many is high but that was achieved by robbing
the rest of the world of its wealth. Again I don’t want to waste your time and write about the appalling social problems faced by your inner cities
while your government spends over 500 billion annually (more than the whole world combined) on your military. This is not to defend democracy but to deny democracy around the world. In most cases dictators exist in those places where your army holds sway or where your weapons hold sway and the people in America are told that they are protecting democracy. This is a sham defended by the most sophisticated control of the media ever seen. That is why US citizens are deluded to think that they are the greatest. You sir, if you chose to expose this hypocrisy would be fired from your job just as professor Churchill was fired in Colorado recently. How can you speak of
democracy when you don’t have academic freedom? In Florida where the teachers must teach capitalism and it is illegal to teach about other political ideologies. Face it sir nothing will change with Obama other than a false culture of hope when you have the likes of Biden as a VP and mentions of
Holbrook, Wesley Clarke and Luger (the Balkan liars) as possible team members. Gad they are worse than McCain. . The people at the top of the establishment pyramid will always protect each other. Nothing changes among the power elite and the theft of peoples assets will continue. "They are the
biggest cynics on earth and they don't believe most of what they tell us." Obama and Bill Clinton will be thick as thieves and nepotism will still be the order of the day.
Walter Trkla
Kamloops BC
Canada
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