A patriotic American might say that supporting the national interest actually does support human progress. There’s plenty of evidence against that, but some evidence for it might be the immense number of people pulled from poverty under to the American rules-based international order.
Pacifist Europeans might do well to realize the long peace was and is enforced by US nuclear weapons. At a certain point you become a protectorate; and some gratitude is reasonable.
Europe has been around for a hell of a lot longer than the US. Seen countless bloody wars, and almost dang near wiped itself off the map less than 100 years ago. On top of providing the source material for the US to begin its course as a proto-european country. Language, art, culture, engineering know-how, state-craft, law, even religion and guns.
The thing which is exceptional is the amount of money and effort spent on defense by America compared to NATO allies or the rest of the world. Roughly 2x to 3x on a per capita or percent GDP basis of any European nation. More in total than the next 11 nations combined.
It is not through awesomeness but simple resource dedication which buys peace, which some conveniently neglect or pretend wouldn’t matter if the situation were much different.
Europe relies on this exceptional spending and benefits from it, having a disproportionately strong power encourages peace.
Not just nuclear weapons. NATO, huge military installations all across Europe and carrier groups patrolling all around. That coming after WWII lend-lease, direct military intervention and the Marshall plan.
The pacifist European needs to learn about geopolitics.
>but some evidence for it might be the immense number of people pulled from poverty under to the American rules-based international order.
And a 100x times people pushed into poverty, murdered and countries ruined because of it. I always wondered how countries like North Korea thrive and then I look at US which answers all my questions.
