The last time America experienced such global goodwill, it was an outpouring of sympathy following a massive tragedy. It didn't last. But this is different - it's built on something positive.
My second great hope from this election is for America's place in the world. Our recent bout of global discord may have been just a family quarrel among allies. Or it may have run deeper. Our leadership has spent a lot of time drawing lines in the sand ("you're either with us or against us") and exaggerating our differences ("they hate us and they hate our freedoms"). Certainly, there is a small cadre of hard-liners who do, indeed, hate us on the most fundamental level. But I maintain they are just that - a small cadre.
The outpouring of good will we have seen this week I think proves my point: most of the world doesn't hate us. They hate our policies. They desire the same type of change as us: a move towards more reasoned discourse and shared responsibility. Now, they have reason to hope.
I want America to have the pre-eminent place in the world. But that place ought not to based on a fear of our bombs, or an addiction to our money. It ought to be based on genuine respect for how we use our position. America deserves not a place of supreme power, but a place of supreme honor.
No comments:
Post a Comment