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Imperialism - Superpower dominance, malignant and benign. By Christopher Hitchens
by childersal at 9:54 am EST, Dec 11, 2002 |
This article really makes you think. |
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Imperialism - Superpower dominance, malignant and benign -- Christopher Hitchens
by Reknamorken at 4:19 pm EST, Dec 19, 2002 |
childersal wrote:
] This article really makes you think. Worth a read as there is a good overview of America's imperialist history, but I'm not sure I agree with the final conclusions that Hitchens draws. He's a smart guy, that's for sure, but I think his break with some of the other left/Progressives over Sept. 11th might have left him a bit bitter. Certainly he appears to have moved towards a more centrist point of view. He used to be (still is?) a regular contributor to The Nation a decidedly Progressive periodical. |
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Imperialism - Superpower dominance, malignant and benign. By Christopher Hitchens
by Decius at 9:24 pm EST, Dec 19, 2002 |
] "But nowadays, if you consult the writings of the
] conservative and neoconservative penseurs, you will see
] that they are beginning to relish that very word.
] "Empire? Sure! Why not?"" Now, I've heard this twice. That the "conservatives" are actually using the word "Empire." This seems to be a meme. Both times I've heard it from people on the left. What do they mean by "conservatives." Exactly who are they talking about and how significant are they? I want a reference for this. I imagine that these references are always vauge so as to make this seem more significant then it is. Its the sort of thing you repeat without thinking about. "Did YOU hear that CONSERVATIVES are now using the word EMPIRE in reference to the U.S.??" "Gosh!" |
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RE: Imperialism - Superpower dominance, malignant and benign. By Christopher Hitchens
by Hijexx at 11:47 pm EST, Dec 19, 2002 |
Decius wrote: ] Now, I've heard this twice. That the "conservatives" are
] actually using the word "Empire." This seems to be a meme.
] Both times I've heard it from people on the left. What do they
] mean by "conservatives." Exactly who are they talking about
] and how significant are they? Conservative, as I generally understand it, means wanting to maintain the status quo. They don't really like change, like say, abolishing slavery or ending dependence on burning fossil fuels for energy. That's what it means to me in a nutshell. |
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RE: Imperialism - Superpower dominance, malignant and benign. By Christopher Hitchens
by Decius at 12:12 am EST, Dec 20, 2002 |
TDP2012 wrote:
] Conservative, as I generally understand it, means wanting to
] maintain the status quo. They don't really like change, like
] say, abolishing slavery or ending dependence on burning fossil
] fuels for energy. That's what it means to me in a nutshell. What I mean is that these guys are making a specific accusation that specific people have said specific things, and that this is meaningful, but they don't mention who these specific people are and what they specifically said and where they specifically said it. Its a rumor basically. Its meant to hold political meaning but all of the information that would really give it political meaning is missing. Its like saying that "Its common knowledge that communists kill babies." Its unsubstantiated, but people who don't like communists are apt to repeat it anyway. |
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