[robowombat]

While I don't agree with all of Hanson's enthusiasm for US globalism this presentation is a dramatic picture of what one sort of global order might have emerged if the US did indeed withdraw from the world stage as many paleocon and libertarian oriented conservatives wish. What would be useful in the ongoing debate over the purposes of US foreign policy would be for the Lib/paleocon right to confront the possibility that by withdrawing from most global military and political engagement the results could be much more threatening to the physical existence of the US than whatever level of hostility current US policies generate.

[rhombus]

What would be useful in the ongoing debate over the purposes of US foreign policy would be for the Lib/paleocon right to confront the possibility that by withdrawing from most global military and political engagement the results could be much more threatening to the physical existence of the US than whatever level of hostility current US policies generate.

I have this same debate with a liberal historian who clings to the mantra that whatever the US does makes things worse in the world. Hanson's recitation of what the world would be like without US global military and political engagement would not be conceded or acknowledged by this PhD who still credits Gorby for the demise of the Soviet Union more so than Reagan. Likewise, the issue of free-markets and the use of capitalism as a weapon of freedom is never conceded by these same pro-Socialism folks who find allies among the Walmart and outsourcing haters from both parties.

[hershey]

Interestingly, FR posted a piece the other day by a European who suggested that the next time Europe demands our help with one thing or another, we say no. Nobody gets a free ride. All hands to the wheel, etc..