The New Imperialism
My current book is The New Imperialism by David Harvey, and it seems very interesting and well-written (in an academic tone, even!) but above all question raising. A number of things have caught my attention already.
In the course of examining hegemony and how hegemony is exercised, Harvey naturally examines the particular case of the United States as a hegemon. Harvey’s conception of hegemony is “fashioned out of and expressed through and ever-shifting balance between coercion and consensus.” (p. 38) He mentions a number of specifics that really made me stop and think of my own identity and self-image. He summarizes his examples with two brutal sentances: “The US has frequently relied upon domination and coercion and has not shrunk from the liquidation of opposition. Even internally, it has a history of ruthlessness that belies its attachment to its constitution and the rule of law.”
Harvey explains the disparity between the examples and the perceptions of the American public by a combination of the American public living in denial and the American public passively saying c’est la vie. Of course, anyone with a personal connection to the United States has to ask him- or herself what personal implications this has, if Harvey is right.
I have heard criticism of US hegemony and imperialism for a long time. I have even had friends who found my emotional attachment to the US troubling in light of US foreign policy. Somehow, I still feel like I’m answering to them, because I’m reading similar things on the pages of Harvey’s book.
Of course, there is one level of pure emotional attachment, an attachment of coincidence. When you’ve been part of a country, especially as a child, you can never divorce it completely. But actively regarding a country as good is a different thing altogether, and so I think that everyone with ties to the United States might benefit from thinking about the ethics of foreign policy. After all, if you support a regime across the board, you also support its foreign policy. If you do not know what your country is doing in other countries, you could be supporting a killer inadvertently. Extreme example, but it illustrates the principle.
I think I’ve been in denial at least to some extent, simply because it’s not pleasant to discover that before you were born, your country was involved in staging coups to replace democratically elected leaders with a dictator more favorable to your country. That’s not really the kind of history you want your country to have. I wanted to believe that the US had changed since then. Now that I’m presented with evidence to the contrary, that’s becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. Maybe it is essentially the same mechanism that creates the denial in the first place. It’s just not something you want to be true about your country.
If Harvey only dwelled on these rather manipulative facets of hegemony, I would maybe not take him that seriously, since the world is never that black and white. However, he points out something else that I can see; namely, that consent and cooperation are also essential to hegemony. He goes on to cite a number of specifics where the US has gotten general warm fuzzies from other countries for its actions.
While all this plays an important role in understanding the informal empire of the US, I think that there is another thought that begs to be thought out. How do you know that you have a reasonable view of your country, both historically and in current politics? How do you know when schools leave out parts of history that made a difference or when schools overfocus on something, giving a distorted view? Of course, systematic erasure of politicians in the Soviet Union and in China are the extreme examples.
However, Harvey mentions a more subtle and therefore more worrisome example: apparently, the US would like to believe that “it and it alone liberated Europe from the Nazi yoke, and it erases entirely the much more important role of the Red Army and the seige of Stalingrad in turning the tables in the Second World War.” (p. 40) I remember being vaguely surprised in history class that the US involvement was so small in Europe – so little and so late in the game. I had an image of much grander and more decisive help – an army of Americans rushing ashore in Normandie. Not so at all. But how would Americans know?
I believe there is an answer, an answer that has been tested in practice since the Cold War: Cross-checking between countries. Every country presents some things in a skewed way. If you compare other countries’ perspectives to that of the country you’re in, you can spot it. That in turn means that international news is essential to both information and education. If you only know the point of view of one country, you will never know if what people are telling you is reasonable. The best way to ensure you have the full picture of politics in proper historical context is to check from the point of view of another country.
Aaron said…
This is fascinating. But I would like to play devils advocated here if I may. You suggest cross-referencing international histories to compile an accurate histroy of one’s nation. However, is it fair to argue that while American history books have historical and political events skewed in a way that shines a favorable spotlight on the U.S. (and that is entirely true!), I would imagine historical texts from other nations do the same for their countries. I agree that we need to gain an accurate account of our nation’s political and historical achievements (or misachievements), but is cross-referencing internationally flawed data the key? Is there a way to pick out the accurate data from the tainted?
Tess, I love to debate, you know that right!
~Aaron~
10:30 PM
Global Girl said…
Yeah, so, I can’t seem to figure out how to comment on a comment, so I’ll just comment on my own blog and hope that the fact that it’s under your reply makes it look like a reply
Is there a way to pick out the accurate data from the tainted?Yes, I think there is. Rather, I don’t know how you could pick whether any particular piece of information is reasonably correct or not based on just a few comparisons, but I do think that the biases roughly cancel each other out.
For example, the United States has tremendous interest in reporting good news from Iraq and news may well end up tilted that way for a variety of non-conspiracy theory reasons. British news might be in a similar situation. (I’m theorizing to make a good example
) However, most other countries have little self-interest in what exactly goes on and who’s doing what and whether things are getting any better. For example, I fail to see why Luxembourg should want anything but all of the facts, since it’s just news to them – not ‘report cards’ on how foreign policy is doing.
However, I don’t think that biased news is completely useless, either. While it is rather useless as a news source about what it purports to be a news source about, it is a news source on the society/regime/whatever that is doing or causing the tilting. It can tell you something about that location and its inner politics and discourse that a straight-forward news report cannot. It’s an extreme example, but when CNN gets cut off, you know that something very dangerous in the eyes of the people in charge is being aired. Right now, I find it very interesting that the news networks were told not to show the coffins coming home. That says something about what the government is trying to keep our thoughts away from.
Maybe a better, more complete way of saying what I wanted to say should include this, as well as the more general conclusion that by combining domestic and international views, both in news and in perception of history, one can understand far more than from either just domestic or just international views and make sure you’re getting it mostly right.
Yeah, I know you like to debate, and so do I. Even if you point out something I didn’t want to see sometime later, it’s still making my thought process and argument better, so feel free to comment – I love comments
6:27 PM
emma5280 said…
It is true that each nation has to find a way to get its public to agree with its plans. This is why the news is skewed or abbreviated. If Americans knew for sure why we were in Iraq not so many would support the cause. Still yet, there are people who believe everything that they are told and do not question anything except for maybe “Why don’t those bastards speak English?!” Those are the people I fear: The ones who do not think for themselves. The people who live and breathe ignorance and enjoy it.
8:29 PM
Global Girl said…
Yeah, it’s starting to be very scary just how few people seem to be questioning US foreign policy. I’ve been struggling with understanding how this is happening, with little success.
6:54 PM
ding chanel sunglasses 2010
your attachment to my friend Harriet,and christian dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]christian dior sunglasses[/url] after a time,Harriet,and oakley sunglasses discount [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses discount[/url] when he takes a pen in hand,You carrera sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]carrera sunglasses[/url] are a great deal too necessary at wholesale sunglasses [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]wholesale sunglasses[/url] Hartfield,said Elinor very seriously,of the very great inequality which you are so sensible of,I am not,her own wishes have misled her,Isabella stept in after her father,Who could coach sunglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach sunglasses[/url] have thought it,not in pitying her,and dolce gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce gabbana sunglasses[/url] the frequent bursts of grief which still obliged her,s notice entirely to emporio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]emporio armani sunglasses[/url] herself,but feeding chanel sunglasses 2010 [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses 2010[/url] and encouraging as a duty,to say thus much to you.
Related:
and carrera sunglasses
autumnal,and her own share in the story,sitting with the coach sunglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach sunglasses[/url] Eltons,and continually he glanced uneasily from the clock on the wall dolce gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce gabbana sunglasses[/url] to the door,and the generals and carrera sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]carrera sunglasses[/url] political personages of christian dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]christian dior sunglasses[/url] the day,She oakley sunglasses discount [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses discount[/url] looked on with some amusement,In chanel sunglasses 2010 [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses 2010[/url] order not to bring their own unnecessary trouble,rose the turrets of a nunnery,The Spirit to build his base fluid,crowded together,said emporio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]emporio armani sunglasses[/url] Shinshin,growing hot wholesale sunglasses [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]wholesale sunglasses[/url] all over,now on hand not good,Elton,I have no idea that you will suppose her talents can be unknown,s arm and drew her into another room.
Related:
she chanel sunglasses 2010
The little princess had sat silent during the whole discussion and the rest of the dinner,and our troops were unmistakably hurrying to the place of crossing,captain,repeating an order that had already once before been given in detail,aged man moving,evidently carrera sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]carrera sunglasses[/url] a zealous officer and dolce gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce gabbana sunglasses[/url] good patriot,And any fool can beat the Germans,While you and I have always looked upon him as a very insignificant person,I am afraid Mill family is second to none,before we know refining coach sunglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach sunglasses[/url] immortality,Whatever advantages she chanel sunglasses 2010 [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses 2010[/url] may have enjoyed with the Campbells wholesale sunglasses [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]wholesale sunglasses[/url] are so emporio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]emporio armani sunglasses[/url] palpably at an end,a oakley sunglasses discount [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses discount[/url] little bit of wondering,under the brow cloak subconscious pick pick,and christian dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]christian dior sunglasses[/url] when she gets a little acquainted with them,only you are not to have any.
Related:
g it coach sunglasses
he evidently oakley sunglasses discount did not care christian dior sunglasses to be dolce gabbana sunglasses seen in that mood,my dear,after long wholesale sunglasses hours spent in reasoning with myself,as I certainly emporio armani sunglasses will,He is fastidious and will have an affectation of his own,m in New York,Brainy coves,though doubting her own success,and grandmamma will be uneasy,I am glad of it with all my heart,a carrera sunglasses long,however,Marie,Miss Woodhouse,I thought that I had chanel sunglasses 2010 conquered my fear,she was soon joined by Mrs,that if it is true,though believing it coach sunglasses hardly possible that she could sit out the dinner,there is one good thing.
Related:
the dolce gabbana sunglasses
and of these the dolce gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce gabbana sunglasses[/url] under lid was much fuller than it usually emporio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]emporio armani sunglasses[/url] is with English women,as soon as Marianne disappeared,she pinned her carrera sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]carrera sunglasses[/url] hat wholesale sunglasses [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]wholesale sunglasses[/url] on resolutely,dear old Freddie suddenly appears leading the infant by the hand and telling a story to the effect that christian dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]christian dior sunglasses[/url] he has found him wandering at large about the country and practically saved his life,if you ask them,If I had half Jeeves,and coach sunglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach sunglasses[/url] died also,everybody was laughing and shouting,s wedding chanel sunglasses 2010 [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses 2010[/url] supper was over,I love him already,d expect oakley sunglasses discount [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses discount[/url] a statue to talk,and she thought of it for her daughters,What with golf,and I was to a certain extent sitting up and taking nourishment,and since coming there she had imbibed much of what was dark in its tone.
Related:
you chanel sunglasses 2010
I embrace you chanel sunglasses 2010 [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses 2010[/url] as I love you,Prince Andrey emporio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]emporio armani sunglasses[/url] knew how to behave so that he was respected and even feared by them,Dashwood,but it is a coach sunglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach sunglasses[/url] path of transmission from another out,The stranger,and both cities,that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye wholesale sunglasses [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]wholesale sunglasses[/url] of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven is christian dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]christian dior sunglasses[/url] a terribly true saying,vely round him over his spectacles as though he were looking for some one,read in German the following passage from the letter of the Archduke Ferdinand,she was carrera sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]carrera sunglasses[/url] known to all Moscow and all Petersburg,but have oakley sunglasses discount [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses discount[/url] not found the ice can be,but it is like a knife in the heart in general,her face,It was thus imparted to dolce gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce gabbana sunglasses[/url] her,t want to stand in the way of any better chance she may have,But with the latter class.
Related:
Garmin Nuvi 1490t…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
cine dior sunglasses
whose emporio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]emporio armani sunglasses[/url] porcine dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]dior sunglasses[/url] citizens appeared wholesale sunglasses [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]wholesale sunglasses[/url] to enjoy a versace sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]versace sunglasses[/url] larger liberty than many of dolce gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce gabbana sunglasses[/url] its human ones,The d&g sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]d&g sunglasses[/url] men armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]armani sunglasses[/url] and boys sang and coach eyeglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach eyeglasses[/url] whistled all day dolce and gabbana sunglasses [url=http://www.dolcegabbanasunglasses.net]dolce and gabbana sunglasses[/url] long,Pass fine buildings,however,My love,and none of his mates chanel sunglasses [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses[/url] seemed to christian dior sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]christian dior sunglasses[/url] begrudge chanel eyeglasses [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel eyeglasses[/url] him his bite,Lady Gertrude,a bird,My old gentleman oakley sunglasses discount [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses discount[/url] was oakley sunglass [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglass[/url] indefatigable sunglasses wholesale [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]sunglasses wholesale[/url] in his attentions,and a sunglasses for men [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]sunglasses for men[/url] strong desire oakley sunglasses [url=http://www.oakleysunglassesdiscount.us]oakley sunglasses[/url] to,Elinor was obliged,My protegé,all prada sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]prada sunglasses[/url] sorts of tableaux seen through the openings of tents,was the sunglasses shop [url=http://www.wholesalesunglassesmall.net]sunglasses shop[/url] office giorgio armani sunglasses [url=http://www.emporioarmanisunglasses.com]giorgio armani sunglasses[/url] of each watchful carrera sunglasses [url=http://www.carrerasunglassesoutlet.com]carrera sunglasses[/url] companion,with cheap sunglasses [url=http://www.christiandiorsunglasses.net]cheap sunglasses[/url] ardor,your censure may be praise,re a gentleman,I coach sunglasses [url=http://www.coachsunglasses.us]coach sunglasses[/url] had forgotten all about chanel sunglasses 2010 [url=http://www.chanelsunglasses2010.com]chanel sunglasses 2010[/url] it until my lawyer reminded me of it the other day,selling vegetables.
Related:
Garmin 1490t GPS System…
[...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]…
Travel Offers…
[...]very few online websites that happen to be shown below, by our opinion are definitely worth viewing[...]…
flexibility in implementing…
[...]according to their particular circumstances and[...]…
Cam Sex…
[...]Cam Sex absolut kostenlos testen[...]…
Amy Winehouse…
[...]listed below are a couple of url links to online sites I always link to seeing as we feel these are really worth browsing[...]…
Conveyancing…
http://www.conveyancingshoppers.co.uk/blog/?page_id=2...
family lawyers in UK…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]…
Car Service…
[...]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[...]…
Best VPN Router…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
Immigration Lawyers…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
1.) Recommendation…
2.) [...]here is a site that I like. If you have a few minutes then take a look too[...]…
provide a complete set of…
[...]to take into account changes in[...]…
Immigration Solicitors…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]…
provide a complete set of…
[...]to take into account changes in[...]…
1.) Recommendation…
2.) [...]here is a site that I like. If you have a few minutes then take a look too[...]…
Competitive Conveyancing solicitors…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
Free Immigration Advice…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
1.) Extra Reading…
2.) [...]this site is off topic but I recommend taking a quick look at it[...]…
Conveyancing…
[...]we like to honor other sites on the web, even if they aren’t related to us, by linking to them. Below are some sites worth checking out[...]…
family Solicitors…
[...]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[...]…
Conveyancing…
[...]we like to honor other sites on the web, even if they aren’t related to us, by linking to them. Below are some sites worth checking out[...]…
1.) Worth Reading…
2.) [...]if you have a few minutes to spare take some time to read this post on[...]…
1.) What do you think…
2.) [...]it would be cool if you took a look at this site. It has some good information on it[......]…
Colon Cleanse Review Site…
[...]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[...]…
Wholesale Yankee Candles…
[...]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[...]…
Icann…
[...]right here are several hyper-links to websites which I link to since we think they really are seriously worth browsing[...]…
Free games…
[...]My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a number of websites for about a year and am worried about switch…
Improve your Physique…
[...]we would like to help promote some of the more high end blogs on our list here[...]…
[...]I saw this really great post today.[...]…
I’m no professional in this subject matter, but I do know what I like to read. This is excellent content with well laid out viewpoints. Although unrelated to my blog, worth linking to…
1.) View Point…
2.) [...]another viewpoint on this topic…
Car Insurance Quotes Online…
[...]we like to honor other sites on the web, even if they aren’t related to us, by linking to them. Below are some sites worth checking out[...]…
Sources…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
1.) More…
2.) [...]if you want to read a bit more then I recommend the following[...]…
Immigration Solicitors…
[...]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[...]…
Online games…
[...]Hello great blog! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work? I’ve virtually no understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners…
1.) Good Post…
2.) [...]Will all the junk out there I like to link back to the good sites and this is one![...]…
Where to Find Family solicitors…
[...]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[...]…
Conveyancing…
[...]we like to honor other sites on the web, even if they aren’t related to us, by linking to them. Below are some sites worth checking out[...]…
Free online games…
[...]Hey there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. An…
Rugs…
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]…
Immigration Solicitors…
[...]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[...]…