What makes America Great?
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What makes America Great?
There is a Book Club topic "What makes a country big?" At the risk of cluttering, my intention is to bring out the United States as a specific and typical example.
My basic premise: if the US is great, first of all, it must afford to be great. As the Confucian saying goes: Sustenance goes before valor, or food before being good. If the US, to survive, must be mean, you cannot blame her for that.
Yours is a general compliment when you say the US is great. It does not imply that the UK (Great Britain), China, or even Russia is less. No offense please. "US is great" is an expression of feeling, Like "I love you, Dad". Not exactly, though. Because "US is great" is more subject to contest. "I don't think so?" What has my love for my dad got to do with you? Fortunately, this title avoids that by not asking whether the US is great or not. It asks for reasons but not positions: What makes it great? You may comment on what make it not great too, of course, and drawing you conclusion in the end.
I suggest the US is great functional on various factors: size, geography, history, culture, idealism, tradition, foundation, and so on. I shall leave plenty of room to fill in and elaborate, but let me finish by what I have learnt from history: What makes her Great is because she is riding on the shoulders of giants. Not every country can do that. Indeed, most don't.
- Pattern-chaser
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Re: What makes America Great?
I think she is 'great' because she is riding on the shoulders of tyrants. I.e. she is following all the imperial powers that preceded her. Empire = greatness? Perhaps that's what "great" means, or is intended to mean?
"Who cares, wins"
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Re: What makes America Great?
As an adjective, anonyms of Great is Small or Mean. Argument for and against the case can be made by comparison, rather than by cherry picking. She is great because others are not, on such specific points.Pattern-chaser wrote: ↑June 18th, 2022, 7:19 amI think she is 'great' because she is riding on the shoulders of tyrants. I.e. she is following all the imperial powers that preceded her. Empire = greatness? Perhaps that's what "great" means, or is intended to mean?
By giants, I can refer to the Grecian states of democracy, Rome founded as a republic and the banishment of its kings, the Roman Forum, the French Revolution, and the horror and mistakes following colonization by European powers. America devolves not by copying the powers that be. The founding fathers chose to do the opposite by following their ideal, most of which are acquired.
I can find no tyrants in American history. Putin has been referred to as a tyrant.
- Pattern-chaser
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Re: What makes America Great?
"Who cares, wins"
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Re: What makes America Great?
Pattern-chaser wrote: ↑June 18th, 2022, 2:10 pm The tyrants I refer to are all the preceding empires.
Yours is a thoughtful observation. Empires were around before and after America was born. Her roots would absorb nutrients from such soil, as from the soil of the UK with its Magna Carta, and from the French Revolution. Slavery, for example, was banned later than in the UK. The same applies to the atrocious treatment of her natives.
What makes her great is her capacity and her pace to learn from the mistakes of being mean and ugly, quickly and decisively. An astounding turn-round from bottom to top, in a land of opportunity.
Hopefully, Canada can copy her to recover from the cruelty of the residential schools. Perhaps, some day, China can be great too. In this respect, they may also stand on the shoulders of giants, though not now.
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Re: What makes America Great?
The rational answer to the topic question is: ignorance.gad-fly wrote: ↑June 17th, 2022, 3:13 pm By America I mean the United States of America.
There is a Book Club topic "What makes a country big?" At the risk of cluttering, my intention is to bring out the United States as a specific and typical example.
My basic premise: if the US is great, first of all, it must afford to be great. As the Confucian saying goes: Sustenance goes before valor, or food before being good. If the US, to survive, must be mean, you cannot blame her for that.
Yours is a general compliment when you say the US is great. It does not imply that the UK (Great Britain), China, or even Russia is less. No offense please. "US is great" is an expression of feeling, Like "I love you, Dad". Not exactly, though. Because "US is great" is more subject to contest. "I don't think so?" What has my love for my dad got to do with you? Fortunately, this title avoids that by not asking whether the US is great or not. It asks for reasons but not positions: What makes it great? You may comment on what make it not great too, of course, and drawing you conclusion in the end.
I suggest the US is great functional on various factors: size, geography, history, culture, idealism, tradition, foundation, and so on. I shall leave plenty of room to fill in and elaborate, but let me finish by what I have learnt from history: What makes her Great is because she is riding on the shoulders of giants. Not every country can do that. Indeed, most don't.
The compassionate answer to the topic question is: pride about and/or love of one's American homeland and its native culture
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Re: What makes America Great?
ignorance would deny one from taking a stand.
Pride and love of one's homeland would induce one to be patriotic, not chauvinistic. Chauvin said; My country, right or wrong. If he were Russian today, he would defend the "special military operation", not because it is great, but because you know what. Rationally it would appear that you are almost more confused than him.
What makes America great? Nothing? Fine, and thanks for making it clear.
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Re: What makes America Great?
The question "What makes America great?" is premised on the recognition that America is great, in the present tense. Nevertheless, you can argue form the opposite end why she is not great. To mention ignorance as the reason is a sarcastic remark.
Great is often confused with large, forceful, and powerful. Is Greater London Council, now demised. great? No. Is Great Britain great? Hard to say.
Great has to do with influence, respect, admiration, and moral advancement, like "grace" which goes beyond beauty.
You can argue that America was mean and even evil, in the way it treated natives called "Red Indians" and blacks "Negro". I think that America, in general, is great since the Second World War. The world should be thankful for her being around.
What makes her great? I can think of quite a few good reasons, but I am not about here to elaborate. It is, of course, easier to engage in nit-picking.
- 3017Metaphysician
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Re: What makes America Great?
GF!gad-fly wrote: ↑June 17th, 2022, 3:13 pm By America I mean the United States of America.
There is a Book Club topic "What makes a country big?" At the risk of cluttering, my intention is to bring out the United States as a specific and typical example.
My basic premise: if the US is great, first of all, it must afford to be great. As the Confucian saying goes: Sustenance goes before valor, or food before being good. If the US, to survive, must be mean, you cannot blame her for that.
Yours is a general compliment when you say the US is great. It does not imply that the UK (Great Britain), China, or even Russia is less. No offense please. "US is great" is an expression of feeling, Like "I love you, Dad". Not exactly, though. Because "US is great" is more subject to contest. "I don't think so?" What has my love for my dad got to do with you? Fortunately, this title avoids that by not asking whether the US is great or not. It asks for reasons but not positions: What makes it great? You may comment on what make it not great too, of course, and drawing you conclusion in the end.
I suggest the US is great functional on various factors: size, geography, history, culture, idealism, tradition, foundation, and so on. I shall leave plenty of room to fill in and elaborate, but let me finish by what I have learnt from history: What makes her Great is because she is riding on the shoulders of giants. Not every country can do that. Indeed, most don't.
In a word: Freedom.
― Albert Einstein
- LuckyR
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- 3017Metaphysician
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Re: What makes America Great?
Hahaha good one! That begs the question(s) though, what makes America a cult of personality, or wait, a cult of criminality(?).
I think that qualifies as a legitimate topic in the political sciences... .
On the plus side, let freedom ring! Otherwise known as: Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!
― Albert Einstein
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Re: What makes America Great?
Wrong way of looking at it. Every country (or any statistically significant random group) will have a subset of those vulnerable to being under the influence of strong personalities. What differs is the availability of these personalities and whether they can also get support among the more savvy to get to 51% (or in countries with electoral colleges) in the high 40s.3017Metaphysician wrote: ↑August 30th, 2022, 9:29 amHahaha good one! That begs the question(s) though, what makes America a cult of personality, or wait, a cult of criminality(?).
I think that qualifies as a legitimate topic in the political sciences... .
On the plus side, let freedom ring! Otherwise known as: Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!
- 3017Metaphysician
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Re: What makes America Great?
Not a wrong way of looking at it at the least. As far as cult's of personalities/criminalities, things like radicalization, extremism, and stability, all relate to political/social sciences dealing within systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, constitutions and laws.LuckyR wrote: ↑August 31st, 2022, 1:33 pmWrong way of looking at it. Every country (or any statistically significant random group) will have a subset of those vulnerable to being under the influence of strong personalities. What differs is the availability of these personalities and whether they can also get support among the more savvy to get to 51% (or in countries with electoral colleges) in the high 40s.3017Metaphysician wrote: ↑August 30th, 2022, 9:29 amHahaha good one! That begs the question(s) though, what makes America a cult of personality, or wait, a cult of criminality(?).
I think that qualifies as a legitimate topic in the political sciences... .
On the plus side, let freedom ring! Otherwise known as: Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness!
Lessons learned and teaching moments were plentiful during the Trump admin.. It was primarily lessons in what not to do. It called into question expectation levels from those in leadership roles. Leaders take the oath's to uphold many of those foregoing important aspects of governing. And as you may know, cult's of personality seek to manipulate individuals by projecting false ideologies for the purposes of personal power and greed. It's feeding off the ignorant. And the majority are all ignorant to a greater or lessor degree, from the basic fact we put faith in our leaders to do the right thing. We learned what the warning signs are now. Hopefully we won't forget.
I would agree that there will always be cult's of personalities ready to take aim on the ignorant. But remember, no matter who is in office, some element of faith will always be required. In the alternative, it's okay to vote based on the lessor of two evils.
That said, if you are suggesting one should always do their homework before voting, I would take no exceptions!
― Albert Einstein
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Re: What makes America Great?
This is to say with respect to greatness that is awesome, large and bears gravitas.
As was noted, sustenance comes before valor. And I would add before greatness. It is military forcefulness that attains and maintains sustenance above lesser countries.
Many wonderful things that are posited as reasons for America’s greatness cannot be guaranteed without the ability to apply, or threaten to apply, physical force.
Of course one could cite wealth over might, as in the application of economic force to other nations. However, wealth must be achieved by means of the military’s dominant position over both allies and foes.
Ironically, it takes wealth to build a strong military. And just as the military can obtain more riches, wealth can buy more physical power.
But in the final analysis it is power per se that inspires others to respect America’s greatness.
Perhaps economic power v physical power is a matter of the carrot and the stick, I.e. buying favor from others rather than forcing compliance by others.
But just as avoidance of pain is a stronger individual survival instinct than the gathering of pleasure, national interests are keen to avoid the wrath of an impressive military power.
Or maybe it’s a matter of the chicken or the egg.
Just to be sure, military might, though it makes America great, is not what I like best about America in that sense of greatness.
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Re: What makes America Great?
AB!AverageBozo wrote: ↑August 31st, 2022, 3:19 pm Military might.
This is to say with respect to greatness that is awesome, large and bears gravitas.
As was noted, sustenance comes before valor. And I would add before greatness. It is military forcefulness that attains and maintains sustenance above lesser countries.
Many wonderful things that are posited as reasons for America’s greatness cannot be guaranteed without the ability to apply, or threaten to apply, physical force.
Of course one could cite wealth over might, as in the application of economic force to other nations. However, wealth must be achieved by means of the military’s dominant position over both allies and foes.
Ironically, it takes wealth to build a strong military. And just as the military can obtain more riches, wealth can buy more physical power.
But in the final analysis it is power per se that inspires others to respect America’s greatness.
Perhaps economic power v physical power is a matter of the carrot and the stick, I.e. buying favor from others rather than forcing compliance by others.
But just as avoidance of pain is a stronger individual survival instinct than the gathering of pleasure, national interests are keen to avoid the wrath of an impressive military power.
Or maybe it’s a matter of the chicken or the egg.
Just to be sure, military might, though it makes America great, is not what I like best about America in that sense of greatness.
Thank you for that dose of reality. It's sad to admit, but military power has many advantages when it comes to freedom. Albeit more of an existential human condition thing (which is sad in its own rite), I agree it's a necessary evil and is something we may not like best about America...
― Albert Einstein
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