The end of the Pax Americana? (Obama, independent, military, cost)

[ovcatto]

And interesting easy to read article outlining the need for a new international paradigm. The article isn't perfect but it could be the start off point for an interesting discussion.

Participation requires that you read the article.

During the Cold War, the U.S. abandoned those plans and improvised a strategy of U.S. hegemony or primacy. America's Cold War hegemony strategy rested on two pillars: dual containment and unilateral free trade. Dual containment meant that the U.S. contained both the Soviet Union and communist China and its conquered, demilitarized allies West Germany and Japan, which could not be allowed to reemerge as independent military powers rather than U.S. satellites. To keep West Germany and Japan as satisfied client-states, the U.S. promised not only to protect their vital security interests but also to practice unilateral free trade, opening its markets to their exports. Throughout the Cold War and beyond, the U.S. turned a blind eye to the aggressive trade policies of its allies, particularly Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian client-states. They were allowed to protect their domestic markets and subsidize their industries, while enjoying access to American consumers. For half a century the strategic elite in both parties has been willing to sacrifice U.S. industries in order to bribe the other major industrial countries into staying within the U.S. alliance system.

The end of the Pax Americana? | Salon

[ruready1st]

Whatever.

[tablemtn]

You know, as a country, we really haven't run into hardcore cost considerations regarding hegemony until now. If something prompts a US withdrawal from the global scene, it will probably be a combination of budget pressures and the relative rise of other countries.