Global Dominance
TimeWatch Editorial
March 25, 2017
Noam Chomsky, a well known author, in his book entitled “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance,” refers to a quote by Ernst Mayr, one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists. Chomsky says that Ernst Mayr published some reflections on the likelihood of very little success in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He considered the prospects very low and his reasoning had to do with his questioning of the concept of "higher intelligence." Listen to what Chomsky says:
“Mayr speculated that the human form of intellectual organization may not be favored by selection. The history of life on Earth, he wrote, refutes the claim that "it is better to be smart than to be stupid," at least judging by biological success: beetles and bacteria, for example, are vastly more successful than humans in terms of survival. We are entering a period of human history that may provide an answer to the question of whether it is better to be smart than stupid. The most hopeful prospect is that the question will not be answered: if it receives a definite answer, that answer can only be that humans were a kind of "biological error," using their allotted years to destroy themselves and, in the process, much else.” Noam Chomsky, “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance, “Page 2.
It is interesting that Chomsky begins his thoughts with the destructive nature of humanity. The obsession of the United States with the concept of Global Dominance, is one thing, the fact that this Dominance will be predicated upon military supremacy is entirely another. Listen to this:
“The year 2003 opened with many indications that concerns about human survival are all too realistic. To mention just a few examples, in the early fall of 2002 it was learned that a possibly terminal nuclear war was barely avoided forty years earlier. Immediately after this startling discovery, the Bush administration blocked UN efforts to ban the militarization of space, a serious threat to survival. The administration also terminated international negotiations to prevent biological warfare and moved to ensure the inevitability of an attack on Iraq, despite popular opposition that was without historical precedent.” Noam Chomsky, “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance, “Page 2.
In spite of the natural resources available, the educational potential, a constitution that allows for the expansion of the potential of the individual, the focus remained steadfastly riveted upon military strength. Without careful attention being paid to the warnings of those who recognized some of the negative consequences of military engagement, an assault upon Iraq was pursued.
“Aid organizations with extensive experience in Iraq and studies by respected medical organizations warned that the planned invasion might precipitate a humanitarian catastrophe. The warnings were ignored by Washington and evoked little media interest. A high-level US task force concluded that attacks with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) within the United States are "likely," and would become more so in the event of war with Iraq. Numerous specialists and intelligence agencies issued similar warnings, adding that Washington's belligerence, not only with regard to Iraq, was increasing the long-term threat of international terrorism and proliferation of WMD. These warnings too were dismissed.” Noam Chomsky, “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance, “Page 2.
What Chomsky makes very clear is the fact that the United States was more determined than it had been during the cold war arms race with the Soviet Union, to maintain Global Military Dominance. No nation was going to be allowed to compete.
“By October 2002 it was becoming hard to ignore the fact that the world was "more concerned about the unbridled use of American power the threat posed by Saddam Hussein." World concerns mounted in the months that followed, as the giant made clear its intent to attack Iraq even if the UN inspections it reluctantly tolerated failed to unearth weapons that would provide a pretext. By December, support for Washington's war plans scarcely reached 10 percent anywhere outside the US, according to international polls. Two months later, after enormous worldwide protests, the press reported that "there may still be two superpowers on the planet: the United States and world public opinion" ("the United States" here meaning state power, not the public or even elite opinion).” Noam Chomsky, “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance, “Page 3.
The obsession with military dominance has not gone away. In the February 27, 2017 New York Times Newspaper, there is an article entitled “Trump to seek 54 Billion increase in Military Spending.”
“WASHINGTON — President Trump put both political parties on notice Monday that he intends to slash spending on many of the federal government’s most politically sensitive programs — relating to education, the environment, science and poverty — to protect the economic security of retirees and to shift billions more to the armed forces. The proposal to increase military spending by $54 billion and cut nonmilitary programs by the same amount was unveiled by White House officials as they prepared the president’s plans for next year’s federal budget . Aides to the president said final decisions about Medicare and Social Security would not be made until later in the year, when he announces his full budget. But Sean Spicer, his spokesman, cited Mr. Trump’s campaign commitments about protecting those programs and vowed that “he’s going to keep his word to the American people.” “Trump to seek 54 Billion increase in Military Spending.” New York Times, February 27, 2017
Notice then that the focus here is to enlarge and expand the military, while at the same time shrinking the support programs for those who are in need. As we have said before, the State Department budget and other cabinet offices have been cut, just so that the military could be expanded. We therefore stand on the precipice of the kind of Global Dominance that will be based upon military strength. The United States already speaks like a dragon. That voice will ultimately become louder.
Cameron A. Bowen
