Is it the US's Responsibility to Police the world?

[applepowerpc]

It's not the U.S.' responsibility to police the world, only the Middle East. At least, so our U.S. foreign policy tells me.

 

[lastcodec]

That would be true if you left out the fact we have troops on peacekeeping, and military missions all over the world. But yes, the brunt of our forces are in Iraq and Afganistan.

 

[onlybygrace]

I believe the US has some global responsibility in the sense that God has given her so much wealth and power. But to be the world's police, I would say no for the simple fact that the US has abused this role in the past. I won't recount here all the rigged elections, civil wars, and sanctions of the past that were geared more to satisfy American financial interests than some idealistic notion for world peace. I'm not trying to blame America because speaking as a Canadian, I wouldn't want any other neighbour in the world. It's just that when too much power and responsibility is given to one nation (or one man), corruption always ensues. The entire world must share the burden of global policing.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

 

[admtaylor]

If you look back on the history of the world since the US became a major power we've been asked to police it on many occassions. It's the responsibility of a Super Power. It's also vital for a Super Power's survival.

 

[Redneck]

If you look back on the history of the world since the US became a major power we've been asked to police it on many occassions. It's the responsibility of a Super Power. It's also vital for a Super Power's survival.

Indeed. Didn't Rome "police" the world, or at least what they considered the world?

 

[SallyNow]

No, it is not.

But we are in a time in history; and therefore, we have "dominant" nation. However, this time, there are also many other culturally/technologically/politically/economically powerful nations out there, who want to band together to help the less lucky.