The Hubristic Ideals That Undermined American Hegemony

Daydream Believers: How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Power

by Mike Freeman

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1309 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	207 pages

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America's rise to global dominance was a long and arduous process, but its decline has been far shorter and more sudden. In the past few decades, the United States has seen its economic power erode, its military overstretched, and its alliances fraying. What went wrong?

One of the main reasons for America's decline is a series of grand ideas that have guided its foreign policy for over a century. These ideas, which include the Monroe Doctrine, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, have all been driven by a belief in American exceptionalism and a desire to reshape the world in its own image.

The Monroe Doctrine, which was proclaimed in 1823, declared that the United States would not tolerate any European intervention in the Americas. This doctrine was based on the belief that the United States had a special responsibility to protect the independence of the New World. However, the Monroe Doctrine also led the United States to intervene in the affairs of other countries in the Western Hemisphere, often with disastrous consequences.

The Cold War, which began after World War II, was a global ideological struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Cold War led the United States to pursue a policy of containment, which aimed to prevent the spread of communism around the world. This policy led to a massive arms race and a series of wars and interventions in countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

The War on Terror, which was launched after the 9/11 attacks, is a global campaign against terrorism. This campaign has led the United States to invade and occupy Iraq and Afghanistan, and to launch airstrikes in countries such as Syria and Yemen. The War on Terror has also led to the erosion of civil liberties in the United States and a rise in Islamophobia.

These are just a few of the many grand ideas that have shaped American foreign policy over the years. These ideas have all been driven by a belief in American exceptionalism and a desire to reshape the world in its own image. However, these ideas have also led to a series of costly and ultimately unsuccessful wars and interventions. As a result, America's power and influence have declined, and its future is uncertain.

The United States is at a crossroads. It can continue to pursue its grand imperial visions, which will likely lead to further decline. Or it can learn from the mistakes of the past and adopt a more humble and realistic foreign policy. The choice is up to the American people.

Daydream Believers: How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Power

by Mike Freeman

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1309 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	207 pages

FREE