It bothers me to no end how conservatives and Republicans have captured the idealism of the American people, offering a compelling vision that captures the imagination while liberals and Democrats have become basically the grouchy scolds who can only criticize but not offer up any compelling vision of our own that could at least equal the idealism that is inspired by President Bush:
Bush Pushes Global Vision
# Spreading democratic reform has become a top U.S. priority, at times trumping urgent issues.
By Tyler Marshall, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — President Bush's ambitious vision of global democratic reform has begun to dominate the administration's foreign affairs agenda, in some cases pushing aside urgent international issues.
So far, the president's plan has been driven mainly by high-level rhetoric, symbolic gestures and a handful of modestly funded development programs. But collectively, this mix has started to shift the focus in relations with key nations.
In the four months since Bush unveiled the approach in his second inaugural address, nearly every meeting with foreign officials and many of the changes taking place within the Bush administration, including several key appointments, has reflected the priority of expanding the boundaries of democracy.
By now, the presidential vision even has its own buzz phrase: "practical idealism," a reference to the policy's underlying premise that in a post-Sept. 11 world, America's national security is tied directly to the spread of free and open societies everywhere, including the Middle East.
Although few foreign policy specialists interviewed for this article questioned the president's personal sincerity, some dismissed his plan as little more than fantasy. Others expressed doubt that the U.S. had the credibility to advance such ambitious reforms — especially in the Islamic world.
Whatever the eventual outcome, there is evidence of initial effects.
"People in the Middle East already see it as a very powerful initiative," said Walter Russell Mead, an expert on America's role in the world at the Council on Foreign Relations. "A lot of people are beginning to wonder if American foreign policy isn't in the midst of a fundamental change."
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Interesting, but bear in mind that most of what George Bush says in his speeches is meaningless rhetoric, like many speeches by many people.
On the other hand, of course US policy in the Middle East could have accidential democratizing effects, and I hope it does. If so it would be a justification for that area of US foreign policy despite it having some obvious dodgy motivations.
However, I don't believe for one second that the Bush administration is pushing for a global democratic revolution, and I'd be distrustful of anyone who talks in such grandiose terms. This is a very big and infinitely complex world, not a bloody computer game!
