Mackubin Owens
writes in this week's National Review an article that tries to convince
people of the validity of the so-called "Bush Doctrine". His thesis could be
described as follows:
American predominance as a hegemonic world power is not just good for the United
States but for the world. American hegemonic power promotes global
stability because no other country or combination of countries at present can
rival the United States economically or militarily and thus discourages
aggression and instability. The Bush doctrine is designed to ensure that these
conditions continue. A precedent of what happens when a world hegemon weakens is
Great Britain. Great Britain's decline in power was one of the necessary
conditions for two world wars. The United States must ensure this does not
happen again.
At first glance that seems like a good argument. At closer
examination, it falls apart. For instance, how did the British Empire weaken? If
we are going to make use of historical examples, why do so selectively? It was
Great Britain's imperialistic policy that in turn created the very rivals that
led to its relative decline. Rivals, who felt threatened by Pax-Britannica who
grew stronger and grouped together to act as a counter weight to the British
Empire. It was those alliances, one being the Central Powers, that led to two
world wars. It was not Britain just arbitrarily becoming relatively weaker. Its
own policies led to that just like Bush's imperialistic policies are doing the
same today.
That is why so many of us are appalled by Bush's foreign
policy. Far from making the United States more secure, it is making us less
secure. During the Clinton years, American power was not just unrivaled but no
one even desired to create a rival for a benevolent American hegemon. But now,
with Bush, the European Union and its citizens see a need to counter the power
of the United States. China and Russia face the same crisis. If the Bush
doctrine continues, I predict you will see the rise of multiple rival power
blocs around the world.
The United States with its 280 million citizens cannot
possibly hope to remain the sole super power if other nations, intimidated by
reckless and unilateral use of military power feel compelled to put their
strengths together to counter it. The lesson of Pax-Britannica is not to
try to dominate the world militarily in open bravado, the lesson is to pursue
policies that don't encourage the rise of rivals and enemies. The Bush doctrine
seems to be ignoring that lesson just like Mr. Ownes is.