"In the 33-page document, Mr. Bush also seeks to answer the critics of growing American muscle-flexing by insisting that the United States will exploit its military and economic power to encourage 'free and open societies,' rather than seek 'unilateral advantage.' It calls this union of values and national interests 'a distinctly American internationalism.'"
Herbert Spencer, in the postscript to The Man Versus The State: "While among ourselves the administration of colonial affairs is such that native tribes who retaliate on Englishmen by whom they have been injured, are punished, not on their own savage principle of life for life, but on the improved civilized principle of wholesale massacre in return for single murder, there is little chance that a political doctrine consistent only with unaggressive conduct will gain currency." Spencer's argument in Man Versus the State revolved around a contrast between two kinds of society the militant, based on command and hierarchy and the industrial, based on voluntary cooperation. A militaristic foreign policy would inevitably undermine the voluntary cooperation and laissez faire. In 1902, Spencer wrote an article titled "Imperialism and Slavery." The title is self-explanatory. I expect we'll soon see all conscientious libertarians and consistent social Darwinists rise up in revulsion against this Bush doctrine. Tom Walker 604 255 4812
