(This article was written and published in February of 2003 as several nations were desperately trying to prevent an unjust and unjustified was in Iraq)
America, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. You are rich, and willing to heap monetary blessings on those who are willing to give up all aspects of self-respect and follow you around like the fabled lamb of Mary’s.
Georgie had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb … and everywhere that Georgie went, Tony’d sure to go.
However, there are a number of ways in which the action of the present administration adversely impact on us and the rest of the world. And it is because of these reasons that such an unlikely coalition, from long-haired peaceniks to the stately regimes of “old Europe”, is stating their case with such resoluteness and resolve.
The diverse members of this coalition of the “willing” are ready with a list of reasons why they are at the opposite end of the spectrum. Willing to roll up their sleeves, and really count the ways. They see, nay fervently believe that America is arrogant, insular, self-serving, with an overall tendency to be a bully.
However, this is really unfortunate. America was founded as “one nation under God” on more clearer and morally satisfying principles- principles which the founding fathers held to be “self-evident”.
The Boston Tea Party was not a simple “unlawful entry” with burglary and mayhem undertaken by a few drunken sailors at the Boston port. Neither was it a case of industrial espionage. It was a deliberate and calculated act undertaken by principled moralists who were willing to take a stand. A moral and righteous stand against the preeminent power of the time, – George’s England. (I refer here to George III rather then the present King of the England who is also, as we all know, also a George)
So how does a nation founded on such lofty and elevated moral principles decay and transform itself into the bully and tyrant that it has so successfully turned into today.
There is of course no doubt that the question is an important one. American policy, even when misconceived and poorly implemented, has the potential to impact and affect our daily lives, our individual hopes and aspirations and the dreams we have for the future of our loved ones.
No answer to this important question can also be a simple one. However, there is a simple answer. Unlike most simple responses it is not simplistic. Neither is it a knee-jerk rejoinder. It is one which offers clarity and insight. It lies in the concept of “Hubris”.
hubris n. overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. [Greek hubris, insolence, outrage.]
Hubris as it is usually defined and successfully woven into the Greek tragedies of Sophocles and the like is usually associated with individuals. However, there is no doubt that a nation can also fall under the debilitating, and unfortunately at times – largely incurable influence of Hubris. Some historians have associated the fall of the mighty Roman Emperor- once upon a time the single and the most advanced Super Power, to this malady.
It remains to be seen whether the present indications of “hubris” is like a summer cold making its way through the American society because of the military establishment presently in power in Washington. (With ex-defense secretaries- Cheney and Rumsfeld and the former Chief of Staff playing support cast to the lone gunmen from the state of the Lone Star, there is no doubt that the present American government is a military one)
Or whether the malady is more pervasive and persistent. Here to stay. Until the credits roll.
Whether it is a simple summer cold or signs of a fatal bout of influenza, the decisions taken by the US vis-à-vis a spectrum of issues, (global warming, landmines, fossil fuels, pro-choice, placating the North Korean regime at any cost, and for course the desire to take revenge on the dictator who dared to hatch a plan to try and kill dad) shall and will impact on the economy of small countries like ours. Such impact would neither be insignificant or temporary.
Additionally such adverse effects would, of course, not be restricted to small economies like ours. Be it large or small, in the western world or in the exotic east, or even aligned to America or not, the effects of American decisions, colored by hubris, shaped by arrogance and implemented with fervor and zeal, looks to be with us for some time to come. In spades.
Now I lay me down to sleep ………………
February 2003