"The United States doesn't f***** torture!"

There was time when I too believed in a type of American Exceptionalism. I, perhaps naively, thought that the USA was leading the world to a better future by pressing for expanded human rights and  improving on our own constitutional ideals, among other things. But then the last eight years happened. The most egregious example of this loss of leadership is the question of torture. Stunningly, a Fox News anchor said it as clearly as it can be said. The United States just doesn't do it. Or shouldn't. It's such a simple argument. You can't complain about others if you do it yourself. Maybe Shepherd Smith's outcry will become the rallying cry that reminds us what we stand for. 

Current Reading

Just started Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson. Slowly working my way through Rawls' Theory of Justice. I'll share thoughts soon.

Warm fuzzies

Cosmopolitanism in the animal kingdom. Who knew?

The times have changed

Yglesias is correct. It's well past time to turn the page on these old conflicts. I think the default position in most cases is to engage and include. I think that's the better path to bringing all nations into the world community. The two take home points from this article are these countries are not a threat, and less trade restrictions would make everyone richer and more pleasantly disposed to each other. 

JUST STOP IT!

Let's get over this once and for all. We will not bomb our way to a better future. 

There is probably a place for thoughtful, multilateral, limited military intervention in specific instances, although the recent adventure by the United States into Iraq has probably hamstrung that option for generations. Paul Collier does a good job explaining the concept in his book, The Bottom Billion. 

However, notions like this proposed by David Samuels in Slate, Why Israel Will Bomb Iran, conclude with some kind of magical domino effect that leads to greater peace. Matt Yglesias deals with this succinctly in this post, David Samuels Says Bombing Iran Will Lead to a Palestinian State.

How are ideas like this called "realism"?

More cosmopolitanism through more cosmopolitanism

Sounds silly, but it seems to be true. The individuals and countries that are most comfortable with cooperation and integration are the most globalized. That earns a "duh". The important take away point is that more integration begets more integration. Therefore, we need to understand the underlying mechanisms that increase the acceptance of integration, globalization, and cosmopolitanism. Easier and increased trade, increased cross-cultural contact, and language education would seem to be essential.

I read a recent study that investigated the question as to whether increased globalization will lead to a retreat into parochialism and xenophobia or more acceptance of global cooperation.

Read the study "Globalization and human cooperation". It's only 5 pages. Get to it.

Wow, I think he is the first cosmopolitan president...

Today's video address by President Barack Obama.