The Corruption Game - NotPhil's Notebook
Juan Cole, a professor of history and [...]
Full post at notphil.posterous.com
Mr. Cole makes the (I think very good) point that basing our foreign policies on who's trying to hurt us and how means working from within a 'conspiracy theory' kind of framework at a national level. That approach rarely works out well for individuals, let alone governments. It's one thing to be aware that there are always people (therefore nations) willing to hurt others, sometimes with no reason whatsoever, and to be prepared to meet and defend against actual attacks on ourselves and (if we're able without compromising our own well-being and that of those for whom we are responsible too greatly) others, but seeing threats at every turn and assuming ulterior motives everywhere is self-immobilizing at best and destructive for everyone involved at worst. That behavior rises from the people and trickles down from the government until the national dream becomes a self-perpetuating nightmare from which awakening can be violent. Hopefully in our case it won't be. :)
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