Essay on the Limits of Power: The End of U.S. Exceptionalism & Greed-Fueled Confusion

Andrew Bacevich seeks to assess the different political and economic aspects of the United States of America. According to Bacevich in "The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism," there is excessive greed in the United States which has led to the confusion of the freedom principle which is the core foundation of the American society. Politicians have plundered the economy due to the existing loopholes that allow them to take advantage of the current supply business. Bacevich seeks to identify the cause of the existing economic problems in the United States of which he blames the decisions of politicians and leaders voted by the American electorate to lead them. Bacevich traces the rot that is negatively affecting America especially the nation's foreign policy to have emerged after the Second World War as well as the economic position of the United States in the world which is exploited by politicians to satisfy their greed.

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"The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism" by Bacevich is a historical analysis that seeks to expound on important observations that are the primary cause of the decadence that has negatively affected the nation's growth and identity. The author calls for an immediate public action to be able to steer the country back to the right path. Since the cold war era, different authors have come forward pointing the limits of the United States power, although their critics have not been heard clearly. Bacevich is one of the most vocal realists, and according to Bacevich, the United States is on a destructive path of empire creation and military expansionism which has led to the impoverisation of the country and further insecurity due to the ineffective foreign policy advanced by the nation leaders. Amongst the most criticized US leaders by Bacevich is George Bush because during his tenure the decision to invade Iraq, according to Bacevich, is one of the critical mistakes in the nation's foreign policy. The Bush administration invasion of Iraq can be considered as an effort to wage war against the enemies of freedom. However, Bacevich views the United States actions as a means to secure the nation's business interests through an old style of military ambition. The notions of freedom have been used as an excuse for plunder and Bacevich sees it fit for the nation to initiate a containment policy that will be used to return the nation to a more modest foreign policy and responsibility that is in the best interests of the country.

Bacevich encourages a non-imperial approach for the United States foreign policy that does not undermine the nation's institutions and its values in the long term. The primary thirst of the United States imperial behavior is the overdependence on foreign oil, cheap goods from China and the quick access to credit amongst the Americans which will always lead to an external expansive foreign policy irrespective of the person leading the nation. I find Bacevich criticism of the United States foreign policy and condemnation of previous international military campaigns as vague and exaggerated. The United States foreign policy and emphasis on freedom have been vital in preventing dictatorial regimes from gaining superior position and power that could lead to catastrophic events such as state-funded terrorism and undermining of other people freedoms in the world. The consuming culture of the United States has been vital to the development of many state economies that are directly involved in trade with the United States. The United States championing for freedom in the world has been critical in securing international trade routes in the ocean and made international airspace more safe for use by civilian aircraft which could have been at risk if terror oriented regimes like that of Sadam Hussein or the Iranian aggression which poses a threat to global trade and peace. Confronting such regimes before they become more powerful and with resources to carry out even more catastrophic attacks on individual freedoms of business, worship, and even social interactions is a right approach of securing global democracy and the interests of the United States amidst a globalized economy. Bacevich's perspective on the United States foreign policy is both short-sighted and domestically oriented, which fails to take into consideration the United States exists in a global ecosystem where countries are interdependent for resources and cooperation. Therefore, it is necessary for the United States to be actively involved in the international issues which seek to secure the interests of the United States and the global human populations.

Bacevich offers essential suggestions against the military expansionism and involvement of the United States in international affairs by suggesting a regulated economy with decreased spending, reduced consumption of foreign products, creation of a modest foreign policy, the abolishment of the nuclear weapons and also combating climate change. All Bacevich's suggestions are sensible, but they are insensitive of what is best in securing the position of the United States in a global economy. Today's society requires the United States to be actively involved in international affairs, and mere condemnation of the American consumerism behavior without a policy effort has reduced Bacevich as a mere prophet of doom. All the alternatives provided by Bacevich are oriented towards the weak United States that cannot be able even to protect its interests around the globe amidst growth threats by terror organizations and rogue nations. The world today is not friendly to weak nation's which are subject to bullying and harassment from nations with more considerable influence.

The United States' firm military and aggressive foreign policy has been instrumental in creating a global balance which has deterred extreme aggression by countries such as Russia which poses a threat to many former Soviet states in its expansionist goals. The balance of power amongst nations, which has been attributed by the strong United States military and technology has been instrumental in facilitating global balance and prosperity. The absence of the United States military expedition in Iraq could have been greater terror due to the Iraqi's regime at the time support for terror organizations. Despite the existence of terror groups today in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have been limited in resources and capability to conduct more expansive attacks like the one during 9/11. However, at the same time, it is essential to recognize that the United States over involvement in international affairs by promoting democracy and global freedoms has made it a target by regimes and groups that seek to curtail the freedom of their people. Being a target means that the people within the United States borders and interests around the world are a target by terror organizations and state-sponsored threats. Irrespective of the results of the United States foreign policy the world today is primarily interconnected due to the growth of technology, which makes it challenging to achieve a modest foreign policy as suggested by Bacevich. The abolition of nuclear weapons by the United States would expose the countries' interests and ability to deter foreign aggression into jeopardy which would even encourage aggressive nations to bully the United States due to its weak military power and assets as suggested by Bacevich.

Not all Bacevich's suggestions are unrealizable, Bacevich suggestion for the United States to combat global warming is a positive aspect in "The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism" because of its implications on the United States. Global warming is becoming a threat to the overall global economy sustainability and also the best interests of the United States. Combating climate change would be instrumental in securing the United States' economic growth and climate as a whole, which is in the best interest of the American people. Unregulated industrial expansion using technology that results in more significant emissions and the unregulated human activities such as population growth, and the overexploitation of the global natural resources. The consumerism culture is significantly behind continued climate change, and government intervention can promote sustainability substantially. Bacevich's argument on the political involvement in combating global warming is realizable and one of the best approaches to ensuring long term sustainability that is in the best interests of the United States.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bacevich's "The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism" primary argument is the criticism of the American consumerist culture and a foreign policy that has led to unsuccessful foreign invasions since the Second World War. The book provides a critical analysis of different leader's decisions and the nations' campaign for global freedom which has led to failed wars at a staggering cost of human life as well as American resources that could have been used for other purposes. Despite being a constructive criticism of the consumerism culture and American foreign policy Bacevich has also provided solutions which are controversial due to their suggestions for a modest foreign policy, end of consumerism and combating global warming. The main problem with Bacevich argument is the practicability of his suggested solutions. Besides, Bacevich argument fails to factor the positive aspects of the American foreign policy and economy to the world and also American interests.