Originally posted by MRRiley Why should we pay for activities and functions which go directly against our national interests? Thats like giving a mugger a tip because he didn't shoot or stab you.
Its called Diplomacy.
Not the US definition, Which I believe is "Do it our way or else", but you know, the actual International version which means "Negotiation"... which infers "Compromise" by
both parties...
Quote: di·plo·ma·cy
1: the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations
2: skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility
It might be worth noting the second entry of the definition there - "Skill in handling affairs
without arousing hostility"....
"Do it the way we want or we aren't playing" isn't Diplomacy - well - in the rest of the world anyway..... And Negotiations fundamentally require compromise - not one side thumping its chest...
Maybe stumbling on this part of the definition, and the sort of general attitude towards Diplomacy thats shown in here and other threads is why despite the economic power the US has/once had, its in fact seen as an Adversary in many many circles... ?
The key being - In International Relations there is no "Number 1" - there just is "Everyone".. that would appear to be another stumbling block.... You can't even dream of having a truly equal (and peaceful) world when certain people sitting at the table have a slight superiority complex.... Or at the very least - Recognising that the rest of the world has a "First Amendment Right" just as much as the US ?
Perhaps this is the down side to indoctrination from birth that "
We're Number One!" (which I admit has a much better ring to it than "We're all Equal!"
- but still?)
(Edit: Interesting and poignant - The Wikipedia Page for "Diplomacy" has... a
Picture of the UN Headquarters at the very top!!
)