[quote]. Is the American the first benevolent superpower?..[/quote]
POSTED BY: Malbadinlatin
UPDATED: Monday, June 8, 2026 22:46
VIEWED: 10787
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Romans, Greeks, Ottomans, The Hapsburgs, The British, The Japanese, The Germans...who'd I leave out?
Anywho, They all invaded countries. Most of the populations at the time were convinced that thier leaders did it for just reasons. The people felt increased national pride and some profited. Why wouldn't the citizens on average think everything is just fine, and aren't we nice for making the world more secure.
Here is my question...why do we think that we're the first superpower to be a just one? Did we cross some magical boundry? Are we the very first to have armies of nice polite soldiers to go kill the oppressors and kiss the babies?
History is written by the victorious. The one possible difference I can find with the US is that you can express an opposing viewpoint without getting killed. But is that alone proof that we're the first benevolent empire?
"You can believe your eyes...or you can believe me" -Groucho Marx
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Err, because you're just like everyone else. In the ninteenth century Britian was bringing civilisation to the savage, now America is bringing the oppressed democracy, I don't see much difference, save for how easy it is now to disseminate the truth of whats happening where our armies are at play.
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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Democracy...
Right!
King of the Mythical Land that is Iowa
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Good grief.
Not only are you not just or benevolent your not even an Empire. At best your a self-regulating world police force, and a pretty crappy one at that.
Now shuffle along and make way for the Chinese, theres good fellows.
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Quote:Whatever is actually being done that is the reason given. Same as the British, whatever the reasons for empire it was said to be civilising the savage in a great many instances.
Originally posted by Penguin:
Democracy...
Right!
More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.
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Quote:
Here is my question...why do we think that we're the first superpower to be a just one?
We are the heroes of our own stories - we have to be, or else we'd be seriously confused (and possibly suicidal). Why should a collection of people think differently about their country?
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Quote:
Originally posted by yinyang:
Quote:
We are the heroes of our own stories - we have to be, or else we'd be seriously confused (and possibly suicidal). Why should a collection of people think differently about their country?
Sometimes if the people are upset about what thier contry does, they have a revolution, as opposed to suicide.
"You can believe your eyes...or you can believe me." -Groucho Marx
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Today is just not my day with words, is it? 
I wasn't suggesting that a bad government should commit suicide - the suicide comment was directed more towards how individual people deal with not being the heroes of their own story.
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Don't worry YinYang, I've also had days like that on here, I think many of us have.
The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.
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I'm sure there were a couple of empires that could be called benevolent for their time, for instance the Persians (under Darius the Great and I think also Cyrus the Great, probably others too) had a no-slave policy. But America's probably one of the more benevolent superpowers, in spite of all the negative press at the moment, and I'd much rather have America as a superpower than China or Russia.
The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.
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