"America is a culture of mass consumerism and an ideology of privatized self fulfillment. . . .A climate of this kind is not well suited to extending American democracy to other parts of the world because it lacks the higher-order principles that serve as the foundation for morality, decency and the resolve to sacrifice self-interest for the good of others. This consumerism and privatization undermines the very institutional basis of democracy.
It is a strange time for America to take on the responsibilities of empire. A time when our own society from the family to the corporation shows signs of deep inner incoherence."
-----Robert Wuthnow, Princeton Professor of Sociology, from his speech at Vanderbilt entitled "In America, All Religions are True: Implications of the New Pluralism for Democracy"
An interesting point... but I wonder what conditions he would consider sufficient for taking on the responsibilities of empire, if indeed such a thing could ever be morally justified.
ReplyDeleteyeah, I get the impression that the phrase "the responsibilities of empire" was more of a rhetorical statement than an endorsement that there are times where empire is appropriate or justified. it was a good speech. if you have iTunes you can podcast it from the "University Channel Podcast"
ReplyDeleteSo I guess we'll never hear him singing this:
ReplyDeleteWhen Britain first at Heav'n's command
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian angels sang this strain;
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
Britons never shall be slaves.
The nations not so blest as thee,
Shall in their turns to tyrants fall;
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
Britons never shall be slaves.
Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful from each foreign stroke;
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
Britons never shall be slaves.
Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame,
All their attempts to bend thee down
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
Britons never shall be slaves.
To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine;
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
Britons never shall be slaves.
The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair;
O blest Isle! With matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guide the fair.
Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves:
Britons never shall be slaves.