One More Word on the Tsunami
TNR Online | Distant Shores (print)
Having previously stipulated a disdain for partisan bickering involving natural disasters, I'll tread lightly on Peter Beinart's latest offering, which does just that.
In Beinart's defense, yes, the other side has their problems with isolationism and - for lack of a better term: giving a rat's behind about the rest of the world. But so does the left. Let's not kid ourselves that the more leftish elements of the Democratic side was all in favor of increased internationalization of Iraq because they all cared deeply about the French and Germans. Many took that tactic because it meant that we would be able to turn our attention inward once more and not have to deal with those messier nations.
I think the larger point missed by Beinart here is that there's an odd irony and one that I'd just as soon wish away. That is, the right has a greater tendency to disregard the rest of the world when it comes to military power while the left has a greater tendency to disregard the rest of the world when it comes to commercial endeavors.
It's ironic because one of the truisms we've gradually come to see more clearly is that increasing trade and financial ties between countries reduces the likelihood of militaristic combat. So, at some weird level, it would seem to behoove the left isolationists to look beyond their borders in realizing that trade with nations that aren't as developed as we are can be a good thing while the right isolationists would be well served to realize that taking a concern in expanded trade increases the scope of power that the US possesses as the biggest single customer on the block.
Comments
Interesting point about the economic isolationism of the left. But that seems like a more recent position after NAFTA perhaps. Maybe I'm wrong, but wasn't one of the arguments of the left that we should trade with Cuba, USSR, etc. to make them part of the world community and less militaristic?
I think China is interesting to watch as it become more and more of an economic world power. Is it less of a military threat? Is it less of any kind of a threat to the West or to the U.S. specifically?
Posted by: Tx Bubba | January 7, 2005 01:19 AM