Reference no: EM133596814

Question: Since the cold war, the US has been waging an ideological campaign to spread Democracy around the world. As a result, weak, uncertain, or transitional democracies have been sources of hopeful aspirations, bitter disappointment, and civil and international war. Unfortunately, US democracy promotion has resulted in high costs for the US and considerable damage to the target countries. Nevertheless, an enduring tenet of the post-Cold War era is that globalization can promote democratization.

Last week we explored some of the atrocities occurring in other countries. Of course, it is difficult to ignore what we read and see in the news from a humanitarian perspective. However, while we do not live in a united democratic world, should America's focus be to spread American democratic norms and standards to the rest of the world? Does Democracy help or hinder other countries? Should we focus more on applying democratic principles at home rather than abroad?

While we certainly don't have all the answers to these complex questions, change starts with thoughtful contemplation and sharing of ideas.