Democracy is spreading. It does so externally as well as internally. It may be because democracy is the form of government that is most symbiotic with free choice and also in my opinion with simple human nature. There is an important relationship in America between democracy and the concept of living a rich and plentiful life. As democracy spreads it gives many people a sense that they have an impact on their society and their individual lives. That in turn gives a sense of importance and happiness.
In his book, Democracy Matters, Cornel West gives his analysis of the arrested development of democracy. He mentions both the situation of the state of democracy in America and also the crisis of democracy related to the Middle East. In his book he argues that if America wants to be better and more effective at spreading democracy around the world, It must first acknowledge our own true history of imperialist corruption which has plagued the U.S. America has so far failed to maintain peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Islamist anti-American views are rooted largely in our own hypocritical dealings and actions with the rest of the world.
West believes that racism and imperial expansion have usually gone hand in hand in our country’s ongoing drive toward hegemony. America’s current militaristic push is only one of the latest examples of that drive. In America we are opposed to and shocked by so called acts of terrorism committed by Islamic fundamentalists. However our own predominantly so-called “Christian” fundamentalism has allied itself with the imperialist corporate and political elite. This alliance spreads racism within our own country as well as abroad. It also inflicts other forms debilitating psychological pain on so many of our citizens.
There is however a deep democratic tradition in America of passionate commitment to fight against imperialist corruptions. The civil rights movement is an excellent example of the great expression of democracy, as led by Dr. Martin Luther King. This democratic tradition brings forth many powerful voices quite brilliantly. It is a deeply moving wake up call to revive our better democratic nature. West’s passionate argument for the revitalization of America’s democracy helps one to understand the need to reshape the terms of our ongoing national debate about America’s role in today’s troubled world.
Author Cornell West states: “Democracy should be a verb not a noun”. He feels it is a signified action.[1]Both political parties (Republican & Democrat) are basically infomercials for a message that’s already prepackaged for candidates who are for sale.”[2] The real question is going to be how do we keep track of the raw stuff for a democratic awakening, given the pervasive sleepwalking that’s now taking place in the country. I think one sees signs of that democratic awakening when you see fellow citizens ready to put their bodies on the line, as it were, and let fellow citizens and the world know that people are concerned about deeper issues of justice as opposed to the superficial discourses that we saw in both conventions. Actually, this
democratic awakening which needs to take place has to be one that brings together persons from a variety of different communities. They must be concerned with a diversified array of different and often separate dogmatic issues. Ones that West deliberates are: dogmas of market fundamentalism, dogmas of aggressive militarism, and dogmas of escalating authoritarianism,[3]. dogmas of white supremacy, of male supremacy, trade union movements.[4] There has to be an integrated understanding and consideration of these various groups
Dogma is referred to as being connected to Religious prohibition: also as an attitude or belief that is “Stubborn”, “pig headed”, and/or committed to one thought / belief system. West lists three Dogma’s that are corrupting Democracy.[5] All these dogmas he states erode democracy and create empire like ones of old just like the Roman, Ottoman, British empires etc[6]. All he feels are these dogmas are anti democratic.
He first lists free market Fundamentalism. West feels that democracy is flawed. America’s divided and exclusionary history of its past was and is not a true publicized account for the downside that he feels is white supremacy exclusion.
West makes mention of Idol and Fetish, tokens of super natural power.
He says that the free market fundamentalism has become a substitute for religion in America as well as much of the western world. He uses the example of how corporations have become god like as well as celebrative. Donald Trump is a prime example today as a “Celebrity Idol” on his show “The Apprentice”.
America saw a major increase of this type of action and behavior in the1980’s Reagan Years.[7] It yielded and still yields an obscene level of un-equality. CEO’s of failed corporations were and still today not penalized for doing a poor job or a bad performance e.g. Home Depot, Enron, etc[8]
Materialistic gain is what glamorizes life and erodes thinking of collective /shades of good self image and responsibility vs. public interest. This is done and executed by the illicit union of corporate and political elite. Even the increase in the costs of deserts shows the transfer of capital to self gratification
The next involves Militarism. The domestic impact of American militarism is a “Lone Ranger” strategy of a “spare no stranger” mentality.[9] Other examples can be easily observed. Increase in police power (example armor), escalating authoritarian behavior, and business interests taking precedence over public interest. Such an example can be found in the shift of attention from schools toward prisons
There is aggressive Militarism in the U.S. America spends more than half of the world’s total military budget combined. Those in authority assert and demand that only they can control and decide what is done, or a form of right vs. wrong doctrine. One recent example is how the Bush Administration , during time of war, abused the power of the executive branch so much that it now virtually can do whatever it wants; such as the example of the abuse recently shown with the imprisoning enemy suspects in Guantanimo Bay This abuse is much like how FDR signed off removing Japanese – Americans to internment camps in WW !!. G.W. Bush constantly violates the fourth amendment.
All three of these dogmas erode democracy and create empire like ones of old. .Only three traditions can remove this according to West. They are the three essential moral pillars that keep democracy alive and challenge or cancel out the three dogmas.[10]
The first West lists is the Socratic. This is the serious commitment to questions and self-examination that requires self – examination and critiquing. This free thinking requires challenging the three dogmas.
The next is the Prophetic. The source of the Prophetic relates to ancient prophets such as the Hebrew God, Islamic Mercy, Christian love, and Buddhist compassion. Justice, love, mercy, compassion, are the core, the source and residues that can restore democratic aspirations to get a vibrant and active democracy.[11]
The last of these three that West lists is that of the “Tragic Comic.” West explains that its source is the African American Experience.[12] The basis and foundation is from the “Blues” music in America. It is an impulse to keep bad experience alive in one’s memory. It is an invaluable gift from the African American Experience to express righteousness’ indignation with a smite without revenge.[13]
Susan George takes her opinions of democracy and how America can change it for the better quite a bit further. In her book,” Another world is possible if”, she writes as a farmer, originally from America , who now resides in France. She explains how she feels that we, as Americans, can possibly achieve what she refers to as” that Other World”.
She explains that shifting the balance of power in favor of citizens takes a hard-headed understanding of globalization.[14] She also states we must gain knowledge of the adversaries who prevent change, intelligent organization, and exciting yet practical proposals and strategic thinking.[15] In her thirty years experience of scholarly education, she draws upon her service involving social change as well as decades of involvement in the participation in social movements. She feels that the social welfare network, by America’s established government in the 1970’s, 1980’s was nihilistic and still is; even more so today. For West, this nihilistic paternalism animates the politics of the Democratic Party. These are the types who get into politics to do good, become part of the elite, and then end up supporting the status quo.
George feels these actions, as well as any state mechanisms for equity, corporate power and carte balance, are the promoters through the media which spreads the “knowledgeable ignorance” throughout the U.S. She states how giant corporations set the rules of governing everyone mostly through the control of mass media, TV, and publishing through companies like Sony, Time Warner etc.[16]
She tries to explain “What are definitions necessary to understand dynamics of Globalization?” She shows how Globalization is now a dynamic of the World Market. She then focuses on Corporate Globalization and the movement of Global Justice. Often the media publicizes people outside of US showing that they are against globalization. This is not true according to George. She feels that the views of the Neo Liberal of today are more like 19th century “Laissez Faire” “Hands off” “Economic Policies. They are not those of more modern times. It’s a means to dismember.[17]
She defines Neo Liberal Globalization as a way to enrich trans-national corporations. (TNC). Sometimes she feels there is a merging of Neo Liberals and Neo Conservatives where economic policies are shared by Neo Conservatives and Neo Liberals. Such examples are the NAFTA Trade Agreement, and Free Trade Zones
George states that for democracy to flourish, America must first target the correct adversaries and avoid what she refers to as “the three traps”.[18] She states they are:
-Personal Transformation
-The only solution is revolution, and
-Avoiding the circular Firing squad
She first states that personal transformation is needed as one must change one’s self first before any other transformation is possible. This unfortunately can be a trap as George claims. She states that Americans must change their thinking from focusing on the short term to that of long term.[19]
Next, she states that “the only solution is revolution.” She explains that reform is contrasted often to revolution. It is essential to change. She uses examples of the electoral system and explains how not everyone in the U.S. is able to vote and have impact. George also cautions against the pitfalls like violence or basing one’s actions on common illusions. This can have a drastic effect on change that can bring unwanted results.
The last trap George mentions is avoiding the circular firing squad. “You don’t shoot your ally; you target the right enemy and / or adversaries.”[20] “One way to accomplish this is to stop questioning the motives of possible allies.”[21] If someone is willing to help your purpose, let them help you accomplish your goals. That way the impact on your objectives will have a more positive result on the success of your objective.
To avoid these pitfalls, George offers her solution to problems as “The Holy Trinity of Freedom.[22] She lists them as:
- Freedom to invest – example: the “Tobin Tax”
- Freedom of Capital Movements
- Freedom across borders without hindrance.
She feels that this will help fix many of America’s internal as well as external problems. This in turn may help strengthen America’s positive image to other countries and help to spread democracy globally.
George defines as the latest stage of political framework that makes globalization thrive. She mentions “The Washington Consensus” (WC), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)[23]
She feels that for democracy to flourish properly, public services in our country should be outside the market. Education, health care, water, energy, etc. should not be privatized. America, as well as each other countries, should decide for themselves how their public services should be managed.[24] They all should have their own sovereignty for deciding the courses of action for their public services.
She also uses the negative examples of how adopted structural adjustment programs (SAPs) left many farmers broke so they migrated away from farms and expanded poverty as no industry to support them and they turn to crime. George cautions against pitfalls like violence or basing one’s actions on all-too-common illusions. If America’s people are to thrive, these types of pitfalls must be avoided.
Negative examples of western political influence were shown in the movie”BAMAKO”. This film was made in Africa set against the area of Bamako, and it showed the overwhelming economic strife it contained there. It educated viewers about many of the global politics and the economics policies effecting Africa. The film used current international problems with daily village life. In Africa
In this film, a couple fights to save their relationship. While the two main characters, Melae and Chaka are under pressure to keep the peace in their marriage, their neighbors are holding a mock trial in their town holding the IMF and the World Bank responsible for creating much of the hardship in Africa. It tells the story about what really passes for development “asssistance” in Africa. And effects of Western economic and politics have in poor third world countries
Americans must realize that world problems do effect everyone including the U.S. Unfortunately most Americans don’t care enough to actually do something. They have been content to the position of not doing much at all. They feel that our government will take care of the problems, even when it’s the Government that often it’s the government that causes many of these problems. The question is “Who is monitoring and controlling the government?” The government may run the country but Big business and large corporations run the government.
Most Americans assume that democracy is a good thing and that the spread of democracy will be beneficial. Because the virtues of democracy are taken for granted, they are rarely fully enumerated and considered.[25] As author Niall Ferguson states, America is an empire of multinational corporations. “It is one of Hollywood movies, a great economy, a strong media, military might and global outreach”.[26] It would be easier said than done to truly argue against the point that America is indeed a superpower. The question now posed is “Will it last?”
The new worry that the U.S. now has is the possibility of global overstretch and overreach. The financial drain on America caused by its military and foreign obligations has also resulted in a massive drain on its economic resources. These include economic and resource challenges, such as the huge trade deficit, and opposition to U.S. authority. Some may view America as a country run by major corporations controlling our government. Just like many other empires, America, too, may fall due to overstretch and economic consumption. Many of the governments of the world (especially the U.S.) protect and support these large multinational companies. Government support to these companies has contributed to the unequal distribution of power and wealth in our society. We have seen examples of this during our lifetime. This may be the downfall of America. We don’t learn from past empires and correct our own problems.
The United States has taken up a position of global burden, both militarily and humanitarian. This burden includes economic, military, social, educational, supplier of food, medicine, intellectual power, etc.[27] a “responsibility to protect” innocent civilians caught in war and genocide[29], even though there is a fierce debate about the implications of this. This debate considers the possibility that acts of “humanitarian intervention” may serve as a dangerously vague justification for invasion and empire[30]. America’s empire, resembling the British Empire prior to it, acts in the name of liberty, even though its own self-interests and financial gain are usually its principal concern. Americans are too concerned for their comforts and standard of living to pay attention to what is going on in the rest of the world. Americans seem more concerned with their own concerns rather than the picture as a whole. This could mean an end to the U.S. being the primary super power in the world. History has shown that eventually all empires fall. The answers to when, why, and how hard are yet to be seen It takes responsibility for waging war against terrorism and rogue states.[28]. It also takes responsibility for spreading American ideology, customs, culture, values, and the benefits of capitalism and democracy overseas. This includes
I believe this is the type of attitude that both fascinates as well as angers most people in the world. This attitude is not exclusive to outside the U.S. As we have often discussed in class, America has an outside image as a trouble maker, a bully, a thief, a rapist, a vampire that sucks countries and cultures dry then takes them over and replaces America’s culture and ideals and vales for the indigenous ones previously established. It is no wonder why America has the public image as a rabid pit bull who everyone fears but wants put down. Hopefully things will change for the better and our own politicians will not steal as much from their citizens. Maybe as George suggests, they will put some of that money and effort into national health care rather than global conquest and short term corporate goals. Anything is possible. The cold fact is however is that there needs to be a change in how we govern ourselves and our foreign policy. If we don’t, things will only get worse.
The real point of politics is, (or at least should be), to keep things that are good and change things for the better. We are seeing lots of potentially positive changes: in countries in the European Union which applauds this progress towards democratic reform and political pluralism.[31]
To succeed, domestic, regional and international factors must each play a role. Democratic movements have to be adapted to regional as well as local conditions. Outsiders such as the U.S. can and should play a role. They can help create positive conditions toward political change. Once change is under way, they can be support and rewards for reformist actions. America must adapt its policies to each society. It must modify its policies toward them and move forward at each individual country’s own pace. As George states “The only solution is revolution.”[32] There are not many revolutions that are entirely peaceful and few result in stable democratic outcomes. This is the reason that special attention should and must be given to achieve non violent revolution. This will be the most effective way to revolutionize.
The guiding principle of our foreign policy is that those countries that conform and abide to American policy advance faster. The cost though is high as most countries become dependent on America and end up losing their identity and control of their own country.
On the path of reform non violent change will be rewarded with closer relations with the world. To promote security and prosperity moves to democracy are difficult where political systems are rigid and regional tensions are high. If the U.S. wants to increase its influence and the number of democracies around the world, democratic change must be made in a favorable fashion. It is most likely to succeed if people are prosperous and feel safe. We should now seize new opportunities for peacemaking to advance a wider agenda for security, democracy and development across the globe. This form of pluralism in promoting democracy is a source of strength Change will not happen overnight. This is why it has made a long-term commitment to each individual region across the globe.
America should be focusing on the preconditions for successful democratic development. This way our efforts in institution building: free media, independent judiciary, and a vibrant civil society with effective public services can be possible while insuring good, positive relations.
There is a possibility and optimism with a collection of voices that calls for more freedom and pluralism, more accountability and, yes, even more democracy. This is possible. With its history of peaceful revolution, its large market and its aid budget, Europe has a unique function as a role model. As mentioned earlier, George believes, this is Europe’s role to play.[33]
So, what do we do? My solution, though it would never be passed in the U.S., would be to get rid of much of the military spending and divert the funds to enhancing our public image globally. I know we can’t abandon our military too low as most see niceness for weakness and it would cause a whole new horde of problems. Other funds could help with a revised form of national Health coverage and last, enhance education programs domestically then abroad. Something has to be done maybe this is a start. All this form of resistance should be done though at a non violent approach.
At an individual level there is the ability for political resistance that can take place in domestic communities. Expressions manifest form. These kinds of opposition to unwanted policies can be implemented at schools, rallies, concerts, clubs, bars, etc. National venues for wars of position and networking include public venue, commercial audio and audiovisual recordings, television, radio, summits, competitions, seminars, and nongovernmental organizations. Internationally there is always the Internet.
Globalization of Western culture and economy is spreading. West mentions the influence of hip-hop music as well as the Blues. Music and media spreads to people at a tremendous rate. Good news travels fast but bad news travels faster and with a vengeance. This type of action can be the potential primary catalyst for the promotion of self-reflective thought to America’s masses. With the implementation of this type of action, democracy and Globalism can sow the very desirable ideological seeds of its own restructuring that is necessary and publicly sought after.
WORK CITED
Ferguson, N., Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and Lessons for Global Power, N.Y: Basic Books, 2002
George. S., Another World is Possible, If? London/New York, September 2004
Jones, L. Sean M. “Why the United States Should Spread Democracy”, Discussion Paper 98-07, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, March 1998
Juhasz, Antonia., “Ambitions of Empire:The Bush Administration Man for Iraq (and Beyond)”, Left Turn Magazine, January 20, 2004 (4-13)
Kagan, Robert. Of Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order. (New York: Henry Holt, 2004).
Lenin, Imperialism, The Highest State of Capitalism (1917) reprinted in The Lenin Anthology, Robert C. Tucker, ed. (New York: W.W. Norton, 1975
Melman, Seymour., After Capitalization: From Managerialism to Workplace Democracy, (New York: Alfred A. Knof, 2001)
Phillips, Paul. The American Empire Meets Peak Oil Canadian Dimension. Winnipeg: (Jan/Feb 2006).Vol.40, Iss. 1; pg. 30
Servant, J. C., Multinational supermarket that dominates economies, Salves of the stacked Shelves LeMondediplomatiqueJanuary 2006.
Smith, A., An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of Wealth ofNations., (New York: The Modern Library, 1937; originally published 1776; based on 5th edition, 1789), pp.523-56. [77-94]
Solana .J.,Europe’s leading role in the spread of democracy, Financial Times, Published: March 14 2005
West, C. Why Democracy Matters – Winning the fight against Imperialism
West, C.Winning the Fight Against Imperialism: Cornel West on Democracy, Authoritarianism and Iraq, Tuesday, September 7th, 2004
Wood, P., Global Banking: The International Monetary Fund, The August Review-Global Elite Research Center – December 29, 2005. http://www.augustreview.com/index.php
[1] West, C. Why Democracy Matters – Winning the fight against Imperialism
2 West, C.Winning the Fight Against Imperialism: Cornel West on Democracy, Authoritarianism and Iraq, Tuesday, September 7th, 2004
[3] West, C.Winning the Fight Against Imperialism: Cornel West on Democracy, Authoritarianism and Iraq,Tuesday, September 7th, 2004
[4] IBID
[5] IBID p.3
[6] IBID p.8
[7] IBID p.4
[8] IBID
[9] IBID p.5
[10] IBID p.16
[11] IBID
[12] IBID p.19
[13] IBID
[14] George. S., Another World is Possible, If? London/New York, September 2004
[15] IBID
[16] IBID P.9
[17] IBID P.3
[18] IBID p.90
[19] IBID p.90-92
[20] IBID p.97
[21] IBID
[22] IBID p.10
[23] IBID p.14
[24] IBID p. 106
[25] Jones, L. Sean M. “Why the United States Should Spread Democracy.”, Discussion Paper 98-07, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, March 1998
[26] NiallFerguson, Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and Lessons for Global Power
[27] Ibid
[28] Ibid
[29] Ibid
[30] Ibid
[31] Solana .J.,Europe’s leading role in the spread of democracy
Financial Times,Published: March 14 2005
[32] George. S., Another World is Possible, If? London/New York, September 2004. p.90
[33] IBID
