It came to a point when I was reading my history book. The subject was about political and reformation during the war. When I thought about that, I also thought about today's present. In the book, it says the United States are trying to 'contain' Communism from spreading throughout the world. What makes me think deeper into this subject, a question arose. Is the United States became a militaristic superpower now instead being the good guy? I mean, c'mon, the public world of civility usually dont like the military because it made bad decisions before and it led to a radical 'negativity'. United States were founded on principles based on freedom. So what's wrong with spreading of Communism? It's just like religion when the First Holy Roman Empire was ruling. Ideals being passed on to others, is that so wrong? Dont get me wrong, makes me think that the U.S. wants to stop freedom of ideals....or i'm just stupid and the fact that i'm tired.

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The United States wants EVERYONE in the world to have freedome of ideals, and communism infringes that. Thus, the US doesn't want Communism to spread it's containment of ideals to its people. I suppose it is a bit selfish, but the US doesn't want to see the effects of communism take place (bad economy, starving people, failed system of gov't). It just doesn't work, and be it selfish or not the united states takes it upon themselves to help the people and not the government. In China...we don't really seem to care, as we see a vast amount of people in a concentrated area and opportunity for economic success. Not that we overlook it entirely, as China is different from other communist nations in that it has capitalist paradigms as well. Currently it has a plan (over a period of time, i don't know how long, let's say 15 years as a guess), to become a free market economic system. Thus, they are endorsing the US' ideals and we don't contain them anymore (correct me if i'm wrong). As for the military aspect, it is well known that the US is the sole superpower existing now, and the fact that we use the military to contain communism is simply a matter of resources. What other means is there to force another nation to do what we want? Diplomatic work has its extent of effectiveness, and international pressure is infinitely harder than domestic pressure. The military is the best option.

The difference between our military now, and in the past is that the past military decisions were made under the military (i think), and now it is an action with the cooperation with the US government making intelligent militaristic decisions. It's more imperialistic than militaristic. I think the US just wants people to have the opportunity to have their own freedom of ideals, not just a select few having the ability that would be the case in a communist nation. But on the issue of us being a good guy or a militaristic superpower, i think we are still the good guys. Deontologically, it'd be better if all people had the freedom to have their own ideals, rather than the individual governments controllers having them. Get what i'm saying? As in, all the people didn't say that they wanted a communist government, only some did, and that is not freedom of all ideals in all people. Just in some. Hope that helps.

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yeah Communism doesn't work becuase it required utopian situations and ideals (everyone is willing to work together, and is happy with their lot in life, etc) However, that in itself is impossible so then the whole structure of communism falls in crumbles in on itself. Oh and with China, yea, the US just loves China lol. Even gave them the "most favorite nation" status :)
Socialism on the other hand, is a milder version of Communism and sortof works i suppose. I believe a whole bunch of Euro countries are socialist (mebbe).
ON the topic of modern day militarism, i think the US should tone down its foreign (military) relations a bit, and use mainly negotiation to resolve conflict. Now that there is a real war between Israel and some other country taking place at the moment, i hope to god that Bush doesn't take a horribly agressive interventionist stance. Negotiation is the key to world peace :) not war.

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"The weight of this sad time we must obey,/ Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say./ The oldest hath borne most; we that are young/ Shall never see so much, nor live so long."
King Lear (V.3.300-304)

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you guys make my head hurt

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Hahaha , that is so funny about the most favorite nation status. haha. The only nation i know of that is socialist is cuba, though you are probably right as i know little of this.

Yeah, military intervention needs to be toned down in the present. It WILL not help in israel very effectively. Negotiation is key, and though we have troops in kosovo and such. We'll have to keep them there to maintain our credibility and conventional deterrence. Though a lift on the cuba embargo could be economically sound

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hehe, i dunno, i picked up the European Socialist Countries bit from an English tourguide

__________________
ni pour ni contre; ça m'est égal

"The weight of this sad time we must obey,/ Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say./ The oldest hath borne most; we that are young/ Shall never see so much, nor live so long."
King Lear (V.3.300-304)

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The only reason the US wanted to "stop the spread of communism" and keep so called "freedom" is because of the massive arms race of the Cold War wtih Russia.

Russia and the US were really against each other. It's not becuz of the communism, but because Russia was becoming decreasingly friendly with the US. The US got suspicious.

Both of these countries are seemingly doing well because they are the only two strong super powers left after World War II. So countries that were undergoing revolution or searching for a new govt were either gonna get influence from Democracy or Communism. Some picked communism because it seems like a great idea (if only it really worked).

If you have a many nations in the world that are communist, and then all of a sudden, fighting breaks out between the BigBoy of communism (Russia) and the GaintPalooo of democracy (US), who do you think the commy nations will ally and fight with? Russia.

Meaning that the US is going to have a harder time if a war broke out.

But in the present, I don't think we see communism as a danger. I mean if we'd see a new country that proudly states itself as communist, we'd just laugh.

Last edited by huby40 on 04-10-2002 at 10:38 AM

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