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COMMENTS:
I am not trying to brag or anything I am seriously interested in people's oppinions here.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the other side of the Pacific, the US is indeed perceived as a militaristic nation- both politically AND culturally. Americans seem to have a military culture, a praise for militant virtues, etc. Other countries look at this and think the US is a flag-waving extremist that has an attitude that belongs to the 19th Century.
^Ofcourse American culutre has praise for military or warrior virtues because all cultures do.There is not a single nation on this planet that does not admire and celebrate their armed forces so the fact that America does this is irrevelant.
The rest of the world see's America as militarist because she has the ability to attack and defeat any enemy she choses at any time.The fact that we are the only super power left causes the rest of the world to fear.
USRocks is it even possible to brag about this? The reason the US can spend this much and the reason it is the wealthiest nation in the world is because of greed. Natural resources are sapped from the planet to fatten up the GDP and stifle competition. Americans are ruthless, monopolistic, self-loving, bully's that never look over the fence to see how the world actually works.
Everybody went to North America out of greed (gold rush) and greed is what runs the country today. Masterful exploitation of capitalism. The American Dream is just a state sanctioned excuse for selfishness and garishness.
Corrupt- I saw a good ballot about a specific Euro-American comparison before...
ballot #75886
Europe seems to have lost a lot of its former miltitaristic nationalism. Some still remains, but there is much less than what the US has. Europeans also seem to have a much wider disrespect for authority.
Corrupt, you point out that other nations have militaristic nationalism. But my point is still relevant because a) The US has more militaristic nationalism than some others and b) Hypocrisy from other nations is not uncommon.
I think that the answer is yes.
I think it's difficult to answer, because militarism is always going to be associated with power.
We are the most powerful nation on Earth. Of the main factors that ensure our position at the moment, the military is the most tangible. I cannot see another nation achieving the same "status" as the U.S. as a superpower without a huge military.
With the most advanced and powerful fighting forces in the world, it's comforting to know that we are basically invulnerable to a conventional land war on our own soil; and none of us want to relinquish any of that comfort. But of course not everyone draws the same line between comfort and excess.
Some would draw the line at only what is absolutely necessary in order for us to protect ourselves from a conventional attack. In other words, if our military is on the soil of any nation or nations that haven't attacked us conventionally, that is excessive. Others might extend the line, supporting a more proactive military that has bases and forces around the world. Others might extend the line even further, supporting things such as pre-emptive attacks against nations who are deemed to pose a threat.
But all of this is vague and meaningless without a context, and the word for today is: "terrorism".
Since the terrorist attacks on the United States of September 2001, the supremacy of our standing has been undermined by an unconventional threat; -- a threat that, despite all of our technology and power, we are vulnerable to: Fear.
From the massive swelling of fear and apelike panic that has overtaken most of America--(in some form or another)--has come the situation in Iraq.
With regards to this particular situation, the line between "reasonable" militarism and "excessive" militarism has been crossed -- if for example you understand that, in the big picture, the situation there is not only not helping the United States, it is actually deepening the hatred of the United States among people such as Osama Bin Laden, who attacked America primarily because of our (military) presence in the Middle East, particularly regions or countries containing the holy sites.
We are seen as invaders and foreign occupiers, like the Russians, who also underestimated the tenacity of a truly determined people -- even 'primitive' ones.
One could almost argue that World War III began at the end of World War II with the creation of Israel. The United States became one of the players when we invaded Iraq.
In my opinion, that action made us a decidedly militaristic nation.
Socrates can you give some concrete examples of how American culture is more militaristic than European culture?I think the perception of a miliant America is unjustified;it's not like the average American is marching in the streets in fatigues.
Voted : yes it is which is a good thing
The United states gets involved with every war they can no matter the war is for. Barney and Teletubies could be fighting and the U.S would probably supply one with weapons to kill the other. Europe is a lot more common probably because of there history with wars. They were constantly at war on there own soil only destroying there countries more. The U.S never fights on american soil and is way more advanced making war seem easier. Really Britain is the only country in Europe i can think of that still has some fight left in it but is slowly dieing. Fifty years ago Britain would have been totally for the war and im sure countries that are against it like France would be in it to. Germany is in Afghanistan with us but only to keep people and so are the other nations in Iraq besides the u.s.
I ment to say germany is in afghanist to keep peace there.
isnt it strange how much money they put in to their army and yet britain has a beter and more profesional army partly due to the british army having many ceramonial duties
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