An American Century | 3 of 4

Freedom on the March

This is the third of four posts relating to the vision of ‘The American Century’ that animated the creation of the postwar world order. The first looks at the rousing of the US toward global responsibilities in the Second World War, culminating in the establishment of the National Security State. The second examines the postwar notion of America as ‘The Leader of the Free World.’ The third considers the notion of ‘Freedom on the March,’ evolving from a Cold War mission to rationale for twenty-first century ‘forever wars.’ The fourth frames our current challenges as the political economy of empire.

The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world….So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. —President George W. Bush, Second Inaugural Address, 2005

In his 2000 presidential campaign, George W. Bush conveyed concern about the Clinton era foreign policy: “If we are an arrogant nation, they will resent us; but if we’re a humble nation, but strong, they’ll welcome us.”

The kaleidoscope soon turned. Alongside the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the terror strikes of September 11, 2001, comprised the most devastating enemy action on US territory in our history.