THREAD, courtesy of Nathan Carson, author
For: #YouKnowWhoYouAre #Americans
#this 👇
A thread on America's foreign policy and its connection with economic inequality and elite power:
One of the big reasons the US is so exceptional is it's geography. 1/n
For: #YouKnowWhoYouAre #Americans
#this 👇
A thread on America's foreign policy and its connection with economic inequality and elite power:
One of the big reasons the US is so exceptional is it's geography. 1/n
11:11 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
The US has more navigable water ways than the rest of the world put together. North America is home the largest stretch of contiguous arable land. The US not only controls most of that arable land, its inland water ways, the Mississippi River Basin, overlays perfectly. 2/n
The US has more navigable water ways than the rest of the world put together. North America is home the largest stretch of contiguous arable land. The US not only controls most of that arable land, its inland water ways, the Mississippi River Basin, overlays perfectly. 2/n
11:13 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
Additionally, the US has more natural deep water ports than anywhere else in the world, and it borders both the Atlantic and Pacific giving it a geographic advantage when it comes to trade. By dominating the North American continent, the US is a de-factor superpower. 3/n
Additionally, the US has more natural deep water ports than anywhere else in the world, and it borders both the Atlantic and Pacific giving it a geographic advantage when it comes to trade. By dominating the North American continent, the US is a de-factor superpower. 3/n
11:18 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
America has a few simple geostrategic objectives: 1) Maintain control of North America. 2) Prevent outside powers from gaining influence in the Western Hemisphere. 3) Control the world's sea lanes. 4) Prevent any Eurasian regional hegemon from emerging and building a navy. 4/n
America has a few simple geostrategic objectives: 1) Maintain control of North America. 2) Prevent outside powers from gaining influence in the Western Hemisphere. 3) Control the world's sea lanes. 4) Prevent any Eurasian regional hegemon from emerging and building a navy. 4/n
11:20 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
There are only three regions that can produce a Eurasian hegemon capable of threatening the US: Western/Central Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia. Nowhere else has the population, industry, and/or natural resources to challenge the US. 5/n
There are only three regions that can produce a Eurasian hegemon capable of threatening the US: Western/Central Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia. Nowhere else has the population, industry, and/or natural resources to challenge the US. 5/n
11:22 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
US grand strategy since the early 20th Century is to be the offshore balancer. Essentially, US foreign policy is to cause problems for would-be hegemons such as Germany in WWI/WWII, Imperial Japan, the Soviet Union, and Saddam's Iraq in 1991. 6/n
US grand strategy since the early 20th Century is to be the offshore balancer. Essentially, US foreign policy is to cause problems for would-be hegemons such as Germany in WWI/WWII, Imperial Japan, the Soviet Union, and Saddam's Iraq in 1991. 6/n
11:25 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
Offshore balancing relies heavily on partners in key regions to block the emergence of possible hegemons. However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, US foreign policy has experienced a notable shift. 7/n
Offshore balancing relies heavily on partners in key regions to block the emergence of possible hegemons. However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, US foreign policy has experienced a notable shift. 7/n
11:27 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
For the past 30 years, the US has oscillated between primacy and liberal internationalism. Put simply, primary believes the US will rule the world while liberal internationalism believes the UN will rule the world. 8/n
For the past 30 years, the US has oscillated between primacy and liberal internationalism. Put simply, primary believes the US will rule the world while liberal internationalism believes the UN will rule the world. 8/n
11:28 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
While primacy and liberal internationalism have different means, they both seek the same outcome: "The End of History." It's the triumph of liberal democracy (according to Western norms) and neoliberal economics. Humanity is destined to hold hands at Davos and sing kumbaya. 9/n
While primacy and liberal internationalism have different means, they both seek the same outcome: "The End of History." It's the triumph of liberal democracy (according to Western norms) and neoliberal economics. Humanity is destined to hold hands at Davos and sing kumbaya. 9/n
11:29 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
There's a problem with these this view though: history never ended.
The US was given a peace dividend in the 90s, but instead squandered it on global police action in endless wars that did little to advance America's core geopolitical interests. 10/n
There's a problem with these this view though: history never ended.
The US was given a peace dividend in the 90s, but instead squandered it on global police action in endless wars that did little to advance America's core geopolitical interests. 10/n
11:31 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
Furthermore, American elites' religious adherence to neoliberal economics exacerbated income inequality and turned the Arsenal of Democracy into the Rustbelt. And because economic policy is all about wealth maximization, the only foreign policy tool left is military action. 11/n
Furthermore, American elites' religious adherence to neoliberal economics exacerbated income inequality and turned the Arsenal of Democracy into the Rustbelt. And because economic policy is all about wealth maximization, the only foreign policy tool left is military action. 11/n
11:33 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
Since the 1970s, real working class wages have stagnated. Meanwhile, the costs for education, housing, and healthcare - the 3 basic indicators for middle class life - have skyrocketed. It's little wonder there's been an explosion in deaths of despair here in America. 12/n
Since the 1970s, real working class wages have stagnated. Meanwhile, the costs for education, housing, and healthcare - the 3 basic indicators for middle class life - have skyrocketed. It's little wonder there's been an explosion in deaths of despair here in America. 12/n
11:34 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
But while American elites busied themselves with grand visions of nation building and the American working class slumped into stagnation, history continued.
Revisionists powers in Eurasia saw an opportunity to expand their influence and seized that opportunity. 13
But while American elites busied themselves with grand visions of nation building and the American working class slumped into stagnation, history continued.
Revisionists powers in Eurasia saw an opportunity to expand their influence and seized that opportunity. 13
11:36 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
The fatal flaw of primacy is the US can't be everywhere at once. China, Russia, and Iran realize this. The simultaneous actions in Europe, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East is like a DDOS attack on the international system. 14/n
The fatal flaw of primacy is the US can't be everywhere at once. China, Russia, and Iran realize this. The simultaneous actions in Europe, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East is like a DDOS attack on the international system. 14/n
11:37 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
What about liberal internationalism? Well, global institutions only have power cause nation-states give them power. All is takes is one state to throw a monkey wrench in the system. Exhibit A: Germany hamstringing NATO's ability to curtail Russian ambitions in Ukraine. 15/n
What about liberal internationalism? Well, global institutions only have power cause nation-states give them power. All is takes is one state to throw a monkey wrench in the system. Exhibit A: Germany hamstringing NATO's ability to curtail Russian ambitions in Ukraine. 15/n
11:39 PM - Mar 29, 2023
#this 👇
This is the challenge facing America: the past 30 years of foreign policy has been an abject disaster because it ignores America's core geopolitical interests. The US must pursue a grand strategy of offshore balancing. 16/n
This is the challenge facing America: the past 30 years of foreign policy has been an abject disaster because it ignores America's core geopolitical interests. The US must pursue a grand strategy of offshore balancing. 16/n
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
11:45 PM - Mar 29, 2023
In response to Arcadian Primrose.
#this 👇
In conclusion, America faces serious challenges both at home and abroad. Embracing America's rich history of offshore balancing and industrial policy is a clear way to start addressing these problems. 19/fin
In conclusion, America faces serious challenges both at home and abroad. Embracing America's rich history of offshore balancing and industrial policy is a clear way to start addressing these problems. 19/fin
11:55 PM - Mar 29, 2023
