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Originally Posted by Elphaba
Ben, some of us poor fools once actually believed that our country was worth *our* respect and, therefore, the respect of other nations.
A minimum of two generations with a less aggressive foreign policy just *might* cause a renewed respect among other nations. That is so extremely doubtful, given our lack of an alternative energy policy. I expect more of the same or worse in the coming years.
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Our contry
is worth respect. That doesn't mean we will get it. No sole superpower could ever be respected by the world at large, because a sole superpower is still potentially a threat. And it's in other countrys' best interests to try to do everything in their power to either a) become a superpower themselves or b) make sure that any superpowers are "brought down to size". No matter all the alliances, friendships, etc. that are proclaimed, all countries are still rivals. And it just so happens that currently certain elements in the international community have decided the best ways to combat America's "superpowerness" is to voice displeasure over everything America does. Part of this is because they have some innate respect-they know that even though they might not get total concessions, America will listen. That's why there's not the big outcry against China by the countries that trade with it-because those countries realize that it won't do much good. If China does indeed become a superpower, it will take different measures to deal with them than can be applied to America.