Americans have been fascinated with the concept of war for centuries. War has evolved from a last resort into an opportunity for America to prove its superiority against other countries, and to instill fear within the nation. In short, war is a grandiose weapon. In the novel, The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War, Andrew J. Bacevich discusses the relationship that has existed and continues to exist between America and war. Although Bacevich is able to pinpoint a plethora of explanations as to how militarism has evolved into what it is now, he does not present a clear thesis. Instead, he opts for explaining how Americans believe that war will always bring about peaceful and beneficial results despite the catastrophic
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“What were the essential elements of Wilson’s version? At its core, it sought a world remade in America 's image and therefore permanently at peace. This was true when Wilson first articulated that vision and remains true today” (Bacevich, 10). All in all, Americans have had this belief drilled into their minds for an extremely long time. They see the world as a place to conquer, a place to employ Americanized values and ethics. War will bring peace. A paradoxical statement, is it not? Perhaps. But it is a necessary statement to understand, nonetheless. America would not have a purpose if it were not for trying to seduce other countries into its way of thinking. Wilson’s Fourteen Points would eventually go on to creating a nation “committed to the principles of liberal democracy and free enterprise...the values distinguishing the United States itself (Bacevich, 11). Bacevich argues how that same Wilsonian paradigm is still present in our society today. After the catastrophe of September 11, President George W. Bush would go on to show that he also believed it was America’s destiny to rid mankind of “the darkness” present in our world (Bacevich, 12). This shows that despite the fact that America was affected in a very violent manner, it would not hesitate to respond back in an equally as aggressive way; …show more content…
“Classifying the war on terror as World War IV offers important benefits. It fits the events of September 11 and those that have followed into a historical trope familiar to almost all Americans. In that regard, it offers a reassuring sense of continuity: we 've been here before; we know what we need to do; we know how it ends” (Bacevich, 175). Americans have been through war enough to know the exact actions they need to take to be successful. They see it as normal. They see it as necessary. Bacevich himself states that he believes war is necessary, but that there should be certain limitations that come into play as well. Americans see war as an act that will bring us “victory” across all boards, including economic, social, and political
“What were the essential elements of Wilson’s version? At its core, it sought a world remade in America 's image and therefore permanently at peace. This was true when Wilson first articulated that vision and remains true today” (Bacevich, 10). All in all, Americans have had this belief drilled into their minds for an extremely long time. They see the world as a place to conquer, a place to employ Americanized values and ethics. War will bring peace. A paradoxical statement, is it not? Perhaps. But it is a necessary statement to understand, nonetheless. America would not have a purpose if it were not for trying to seduce other countries into its way of thinking. Wilson’s Fourteen Points would eventually go on to creating a nation “committed to the principles of liberal democracy and free enterprise...the values distinguishing the United States itself (Bacevich, 11). Bacevich argues how that same Wilsonian paradigm is still present in our society today. After the catastrophe of September 11, President George W. Bush would go on to show that he also believed it was America’s destiny to rid mankind of “the darkness” present in our world (Bacevich, 12). This shows that despite the fact that America was affected in a very violent manner, it would not hesitate to respond back in an equally as aggressive way; …show more content…
“Classifying the war on terror as World War IV offers important benefits. It fits the events of September 11 and those that have followed into a historical trope familiar to almost all Americans. In that regard, it offers a reassuring sense of continuity: we 've been here before; we know what we need to do; we know how it ends” (Bacevich, 175). Americans have been through war enough to know the exact actions they need to take to be successful. They see it as normal. They see it as necessary. Bacevich himself states that he believes war is necessary, but that there should be certain limitations that come into play as well. Americans see war as an act that will bring us “victory” across all boards, including economic, social, and political