Ignorance Is Bliss

I generally try to not raise issues of a political nature, mainly due to the fact that people are generally very set in their minds. Having also studied International Politics and Classical History at High School and University, I also am mindful of the fact that humanity evolves in cycles.

Take for example, classical Athens. After the Persian Wars, Athens became the main power within the Greek world, establishing the Delian League to keep the Persians at bay, and later evolving into the Athenian Empire. During this era, Athens became the powerhouse of thought and development within the Greek world, and its influence extended way beyond its own borders and that of it's empire. Yet despite all this, it's greed for more and more gradually led it to it's downfall. Many claim the turning point was it's defeat at Syracuse.

The reason I raise this is simple. Today the main power in the world is the United States of America. Although it doesn't have an empire, it's economic and military capabilities allows it to literally dictate what and when things occur. It's foray into Iraq - whether one agrees or disagrees with this is irrelevant - is one example of the USA flexing its muscle on the rest of the world. In turn, now that Saddam Hussein has been overthrown, the USA is trying to bring it's form of democracy and economics into an environment that finds these as alien.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that what the USA is doing is right or wrong. That is a matter of personal opinion. But now that it has achieved its goal of ridding Iraq of Saddam Hussein and bringing some order within Iraq, it is now flexing its muscle with the other Middle Eastern countries. In an ideal world, it would be great if every country had democracy and a free economy, but this isn't going to happen.

The USA has to be very careful as to how and where it uses its power, for like every other superpower in the past [Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Turks, Egyptians, British, French etc], their power will reach a climax and gradually will fade away, to be replaced by another. If one looks at the world stage at present, there are already other nations like the European Union, India and China which are seeing their power and influence increasing. These three nations today account for over 50% of the world's population. With time, these will be the new superpowers of the world, replacing the USA.

How the USA is dealt with in the future, will largely depend on how the USA has treated the rest of the world during its superpower era. In other words, the USA of the future may be nothing more than what Athens was under Alexander the Great or Rome - nothing more than just a past relic of a "has been power".

There would be nothing more shameful than a great nation being reduced to a third world power whose claim to fame in history is that of a bully. And let's face it, the USA has taken on the role of superpower rather quickly without also developing the necessary skills to handle that role. It's past actions talk for themselves.

Ignorance of the past is bliss, but history does teach us one thing - everything goes in cycles. Today's super power is tomorrow's third world country; and vice versa. Think about it.

James