Reading the history of American foreign policy, it’s difficult to see it otherwise. It’s one long list of screwing other countries to serve the interests of the American people. That list contains a lot of bungled operations so the goals weren’t achieved some of the time. America has had 0 issues propping up brutal, venal, self-serving dictators if it meant benefit to America. Examples include Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Afghanistan. These are the ones I can name off hand.
At the same time, American leaders are quick to get on their high horse talking about the values of democracy. Talk is cheap though.
Even after all that, our view of America dropped precipitously with the election of Donald Trump. I think it’s safe to say that a democracy elects people who embody the electorate. You know what Trump is like. That’s how we think of you (as a whole) right now. However, as a great man once said “some, I assume, are good people”.
If you’d like to learn more about the misadventures of America in the Middle East in particular check out The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. The last few chapters cover the 20th and 21st centuries.
> Examples include Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Afghanistan. These are the ones I can name off hand.
I think these are good examples. I agree. Though don't I don't agree with your overall assessment.
America elect representatives (not leaders) and it seems overwhelmingly to be the case that its representatives haven't been in control of its own government. The accountability structure broke and this has been going on for decades (probably since JFK) or perhaps even earlier.
America gives more foreign aid and has more immigration than all other countries combined. Its constitution is the longest standing foundational document in the world and genuinely (at least on paper) gives the people liberty and justice for all. America changes at a very rapid pace given its emphasis on liberty and immigration.
I think America is overwhelmingly a force for good in the world despite its rogue out of control agencies doing very bad things. Even so I deeply respect America as a nation. Given the age and the huge amount of power that has been consolidated its going through some inevitable problems. I think the American people are resilient and have the character to get through these times.
The American State is run by the American Government in accordance with the wishes of the American People. That's the definition of Democracy, which the American Government has trumpeted for at least 80 years, perhaps more.
The foreign policy of the American Government is chosen by American Leaders in a way that benefits the American People while also keeping the Leaders in power. If there is a conflict between the two goals, the latter goal takes precedence. Again, that is a feature of Democracy that America trumpets.
When that foreign policy goes to shit and causes misery to the rest of the world, the world blames the American Government and the American People, who represent the United States of America.
I'm familiar with the structure of a general outlook on a country's performance and the political structure behind it. What I'm unfamiliar with is what you as the source of the issues the US – and, presumably, its foreign policy specifically – has.
You, as a nation, have elected Trump. As long as he's in charge, in my opinion any further discussion of such matters would be pointless. That's my honest opinion, sorry if it hurts. You need to fix your own problems first ("America First") before it even makes sense to start discussing US foreign politics, for a current foreign politics doesn't really exist, it merely consists of sending contradictory signals, brown-nosing dictators, destroying international treaties and alliances, and estranging allies.
Oh, alright then. My apologies! You sounded like an American who wants to nitpick over US foreign policy, something which would be pointless at a time when no clear-cut foreign policy exists and the former foreign policies are well-documented.
Let's not split hairs over the difference between a Republic and a Democracy. It's clear what I meant when I said "America is a democracy" and "America supports/promotes democracy". Democracy, when I use this word is simply a system of government where leaders are chosen by people in periodic elections.
I'm really not interested in nitpicking beyond that. Talk to someone else or go elsewhere if you are.
You may mean something else by the word -- but words do have meanings. A republic is not a democracy, and a democracy is not a republic. They're different forms of government.
Many people do erroneously call the US a democracy, but that doesn't make it correct or irrelevant.
There is an important core difference that makes it meaningful to be clear: Republics give rise to career politicians, easy choke points for corruption. This is one of the often-discounted things behind Trump's election, he's an outsider who was vocal about this problem and cleaning it up.
Reading the history of American foreign policy, it’s difficult to see it otherwise. It’s one long list of screwing other countries to serve the interests of the American people. That list contains a lot of bungled operations so the goals weren’t achieved some of the time. America has had 0 issues propping up brutal, venal, self-serving dictators if it meant benefit to America. Examples include Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Chile, Pakistan, Egypt, Afghanistan. These are the ones I can name off hand.
At the same time, American leaders are quick to get on their high horse talking about the values of democracy. Talk is cheap though.
Even after all that, our view of America dropped precipitously with the election of Donald Trump. I think it’s safe to say that a democracy elects people who embody the electorate. You know what Trump is like. That’s how we think of you (as a whole) right now. However, as a great man once said “some, I assume, are good people”.
If you’d like to learn more about the misadventures of America in the Middle East in particular check out The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan. The last few chapters cover the 20th and 21st centuries.