WHAT is so bad about U.S. isolationism?

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
The thought that de Tocqueville is relevant in determining national attitudes and proclivities 170 years after the fact (on the other side of a civil war, 2 world wars, massive immigrant influx from a more diverse population, the Great Depression and the rise of the US as a global hegemon) is ridiculous.

The thought that Aurelious or Machievilli could have any insights is also silly.

P.s. yes I know situations are different from national attitudes. I think ours goes back a ways and despite the absences of a frontier, aspects of that experience reverberate. I can see the difference in Austria with more of a tradition of class and land ownership and such.

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


So I slipped a couple of decimal places...sue me...

No. I mean it, when I said that you deserved credit. Was not being sarcastic.

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
a) There's a lot of people in the US. Makes a lot of things possible

b) Nobody else wants to spend the money. Once you're on top of the heap, though, it's like having a tiger by the tail. You know it's dangerous to keep hanging on, but you're even more afraid of what happens if you let go. This fear motivates the US into spending mounds of cash...

Yes. You should mix in some game theory as well though. For a fun popular read (but with some insights still) go the Naglebuff COOPETITION. We have the same burden in the world affairs that SA has with OPEC.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by TCO


No. I mean it, when I said that you deserved credit. Was not being sarcastic.

I know...

Just like fighting.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


Not to mention that he just parrots The Federalist Papers.

Exactly. And he doesn't. But many of our traits do emenate from the frontier and from 1776. So it makes sense.

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


I know...

Just like fighting.

*****.