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Our Nation and Its Role

 In the midst of the Viet Nam War, Senator J. William Fulbright, then Chair of the U. S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, wrote a book called The Arrogance of Power. I read that book a few years later, and recently have opened it again. I am surprised by how relevant some of Senator Fulbright’s observations seem today. For instance, he warns us that “power tends to confuse itself with virtue and a great nation is particularly susceptible to the idea that its power is a sign of God’s favor, conferring upon it a special responsibility for other nations – to make them richer and happier and wiser, to remake them . . . in its own shining image.”

 Our world today is both similar to and different from the world Senator Fulbright knew. At the time that Fulbright wrote, the possibility of a nuclear holocaust appeared to be the most likely threat to the welfare of our nation (and our world). The United States was the strongest nation in the world in his time, but the U.S.S.R was a clear rival in both its political aims and in its military and economic power. Today, our nation is uncontested in its claims to be the world’s sole superpower. Yet we have also felt the terror and tragedy of September 11, 2001, and have begun to recognize that our nation’s status as a superpower does not guarantee the security of people within our borders.

 The events of September 11^th have, without doubt, increased our collective anxiety, our national sense of insecurity. And, as Senator Fulbright comments, a “. . . lack of self-assurance seems to breed an exaggerated sense of power and mission. When a nation is very powerful but lacking in self-confidence, it is likely to behave in a manner dangerous to itself and to others. . . . it begins to confuse great power with unlimited power and great responsibility with total responsibility; it can admit of no error; it must win every argument, no matter how trivial.” 

 When a nation is as powerful as ours is today, yet understands itself to be threatened, that nation faces a choice between three major options. First, it can attempt to isolate itself, although today’s military and communications technology that makes virtually impossible. Second, it can attempt to change the world by applying its power directly, achieving security through force. Third, it can attempt to change the world by example, attempting to inspire the peoples of other countries by demonstrating what a nation founded upon liberty, equality, democracy, and justice can achieve. This third option involves, for example, encouraging U.S. citizens to spend time in other countries, and bringing people from other countries to the U.S. through programs like the Fulbright Scholars, a student exchange program. As you may have guessed, Senator Fulbright’s preference was for an emphasis on the third option. 

 So as we enter the season of our national elections, let me ask you to consider one more of Fulbright’s statements: “To criticize one’s country is to do it a service and to pay it a compliment. It is a service because it may spur the country to do better than it is doing; it is a compliment because it evidences a belief that the country can do better than it is doing.” Speaking for myself, I believe that our nation can shine ever more brightly as an inspiring beacon for democracy, freedom, equality, and justice!

I encourage each of you to serve our country, not only by offering your sincere, constructive criticism to the candidates for elective office, but also by voting on November 2^nd.

(signed) Bill S.