Should America Play the Role as a World's Policeman? Essay

Throughout post-WWII history, the United States has taken on the role of the world’s police. They feel the obligation to ensure the spread of their ideals for selfish and self-righteous reasons. John Mueller and Odd Arne Westad share their arguments as to what the United States’ actions have produced during the Cold War in Eastern Europe, Korea, and Vietnam and during the post-9/11 period in the Afghanistan and Iraq. While some of their arguments are valid, others are flawed.

American imperialism is embedded in the idea that America has the right to play the policing role of maintaining democracy across the world. America’s view of acquiring overseas territory to maintain and promote American national interest can be traced back in the 1800s. I believe that American imperialism is not justified because Americans are more concerned about acquiring wealth at the expense of others.

It uses the same strands of exceptionalism to justify its actions as it did for its expansion into the Pacific. America interferes with countries on the claims that they need to be liberated or that it’s making the world safe for democracy. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 is an excellent example of the imperialism sought out by modern America. In his Iraqi War Address in 2005, President George W. Bush said that, “As freedom takes route in Iraq, it will inspire millions across the Middle East to claim their liberty, as well. And when the Middle East grows in democracy and prosperity and hope, the terrorists will… lose their hopes for turning the region into a base for attacks on America and our allies around the world.” America has acted as the World’s Policeman in the Middle East, continually forcing American assimilation and Western ideologies on independent nations. Once again, these acts for freedom are again undermined by the military intervention in Iraq and the use of harsh counterterrorism measures that undercut the symbolism of freedom (Lagon). America promotes democracy forcefully on other countries so that they are easier to fall under Western influence in factors such as free trade and economic

The United States has been hungry for power and authority since the conclusion of WWII. Ever since the United States had been deemed a powerhouse, they continuously feel like they need to police the world. We see examples of this in the raging war in the Middle East and now possibly even more frightening is the silent policing agents that have been underway since a Tuesday morning on September 11th 2001. When the twin towers of the World Trade Center fell, as did the rights to privacy of every citizen in America.

and allies. For many years America has played the role of a big brother, a peacekeeper, and a

Let’s say you’re out walking around the mall with some friends and someone sucker punches your best friend from behind. What do you do? They didn’t hit you, so it’s not your business, is it? You shouldn’t interfere seeing as it clearly has nothing to do with you… Or does it, because they’re your best friend? On a much larger scale, this idea or scenario brings up a question; does the U.S. have a right, as a superpower or as a sovereign nation, to get involved when they see that help is needed? I believe that when there is a direct violation to human rights, we as a world citizen should intervene and help those who either cannot help themselves or simply need help. Personally, from a young age,

America as a whole seems to have a problem taking care of itself before helping others and this leads to more problems within itself. If this keeps occurring, will fall before it is able to help any other countries. This reflects upon

(1)Should the U.S sometimes pursue realpolitik and sometimes human rights? In other words, is it acceptable for the U.S. to someimes anything even support dictators, if it is good for the nation, sometimes pursue moral priciples when it can reasonably do so?.(2) I think the U.S. should do what is in the best interest of the United States for example, (3)Just one day after the French surrender at Dien Bien Phu, an international conference to settle the Indochina conflict began in Geneva, Switzerland. There , representatives of the French and Vietminh attempted to to map out Indochina’s future. Cambodia, Great Britain, Laos, the People’s Replublic of China, The Soviet, and the United

America’s foreign policy affects each and every person in the world in terms of prices, taxes, supply of gasoline, and the lives of our soldiers also depends on how we associate with US. This country can bring hope to the lives of the poorest people in the world. It is because of their persona that they are able to respect the lives of others who are not even their own. Most American citizens believe in embracing their values, justice, fairness, democracy, a helping hand when there is need and hard work. Their values are applied from their households, to

Is America the world's policeman? Currently it would seem so, with the United States sending unheard of support to countless countries. America has been doing this task for about 60 years, more or less. America spends millions of dollars for the safety of countries that can't help themselves. Obviously America cannot afford to support so many countries and itself. Either it will run out of money or it will run out of men. Policing the world takes a lot of manpower. America is dragging down its own future. If America supports everyone else when they are down, will they do the same for America in the future? America, if it keeps wasting its resources to protect everyone else, will eventually fail (Snyder).

As a country, we are currently faced with a decision that challenges our strength and power. The U.S is, without a doubt, a dominant, influential country that is very rarely threatened by an outside force. We are amongst the most dominant countries in the world because of our military and nuclear strength. As the most powerful country, it is our responsibility to protect those who are in desperate need of our help. We cannot turn a blind eye to the issues occurring half way across the world in Greece and Turkey. Time and time again we have been referred to as the “world police”, and now we must embrace that nickname and everything it embodies. We must aid the smaller, defenseless countries in their time of need by sending our troops and offering extensive financial assistance. Not only would we be fulfilling our duties as the “big brother” of the rest of the world, but we would also be defending our beliefs of capitalism.

When problems arise people step up and take responsibility. Like in the quote from Elie Wiesel, human suffering really is everyone’s problem. In war and times of conflict, America has intervened because they believe that it is their problem to try and solve. This is evident through speeches in World War I, propaganda in World War II, letters during Vietnam, biographies concerning the Soviet War in Afghanistan, and speeches from the War on Terror.

We feel it is our duty to implement a standard of conduct for the world to follow in order for a common sense of unity and security. Often times I will here an American state that we are not the world police, but on the contrary we are the Western Hemisphere police.

The United States has been a super power for decades, and since America has always involved themselves in other countries' problems. Instead of isolationism, the country has practiced getting involved. Since the Monroe Presidency, America has been named the World's police force. Dispelling anarchists, and stopping coos, the united states portrays itself as the world protector. Since Monroe, some Americans have felt that isolation is the way to go, and most feel that it is our right to offer assistance. Two recent incidents, Operation Desert Storm and The War in Bosnia have allowed the United States to show off it's strength, both on the military and political level. It has also given the chance for America to evaluate it's foreign policy,

Since 9/11 this “role” where was hurled imposed on at America, and it showed how devastating the destruction can become if one is not careful of one’s surroundings, I think I made that point clear. But when foreign policy becomes inhuman surveillance, then the border are crossed even though you are the most powerful country on the planet, but let`s turn the tables. We all know that 9/11 was a horrible act and many innocent people lost their lives, which is horrible. But what is America doing to others? America still keeps around 200 people so called “terrorists” in Guantanamo Bay under the cause of “suspicion”. And nobody really knows how these