As a superpower, many believe that only the United States has the combination of military, economic and political power to take the lead in defending and extending freedom and therefore we have a unique moral responsibility to protect humanitarian values. Yet others believe the opposite. They believe we should stop playing the world's policeman because it is contributing to America's decline and it's none of our business.

So what do you think? Why or why not?

And remember, this includes policing countries where there are horrendous human rights violations, like child sex slaves. And countries that are happy with their policies, and don't want Americans there to change things.

we need to focus on our own country before meddling with others.

Maybe if we could afford it.

Quoting *Audree*:" we need to focus on our own country before meddling with others."

At what point do we decide our country is 'good enough' to start helping?

Budget deficit gone? Education rates better? Poverty rate lower?

I think we have enough problems of our own. It is great to help others, but seriously. We have a ton of things we need to work on.

I guess I'm torn.

Largely I believe in the concept of what I've read is called Westphalian sovereignty. I don't think countries should interfere with other countries, unless it's specifically requested. I think each country has a right to determine how best to govern and to apply laws.

The only area I have trouble with is when it comes to blatant human rights violations, but I'd prefer to leave the investigating, policing and prosecuting of those things to international organizations like A.I. and the U.N. instead of one country forcing the issue with another country.

This doesn't mean though that I believe, like many people, that countries should never offer financial or humanitarian aid to other countries, I feel that's very important. I just don't feel they should get involved in the politics or military issues of other countries.

C.

I feel like we should stay out of it, but at the same time so much smurf is going on that needs to be stopped. Right now we don't have enough money to do anything I don't think anyway.

I would like America to try.

Quoting God:" I guess I'm torn. Largely I believe in the concept of what I've read is called Westphalian sovereignty. ... [snip!] ... that's very important. I just don't feel they should get involved in the politics or military issues of other countries. C."

What about rights violations that aren't so black and white? Like obviously no one thinks we should have child sex slaves, but what about laws in countries that forbid women to drive?

Technically they are not abusive, and driving isn't a human right. But it's still a major discrimination used to hold a particular set of people down.

I think we are overextending ourselves as a country. The US should offer help when it is needed and requested, and butt out otherwise. Who are we to force our lifestyle/beliefs on others? This is why the USA is considered a bully and not a hero.

Quoting Libertarian ♥:" As a superpower, many believe that only the United States has the combination of military, economic and ... [snip!] ... like child sex slaves. And countries that are happy with their policies, and don't want Americans there to change things."

Yes, within reason. officially and unofficially, the USA is the defense for many, many countries.
For those countries to which we arent their defense, i think we sometimes have a responsibility especially if it's in our own interests (i.e. protecting our oil supply and the oil supply of key allies).
For other countries like Rwanda, I'm torn. after seeing Hotel Rwanda, I'm embarrassed that we didnt do much, much more.
It's a hard call but clearly we cant afford it right now.

Quoting Libertarian ♥:" What about rights violations that aren't so black and white? Like obviously no one thinks we should ... [snip!] ... abusive, and driving isn't a human right. But it's still a major discrimination used to hold a particular set of people down."

It is, but what do we do about it? Forcibly take over the government and give women the right to drive? I think there's nothing wrong with educating people so that they can form better governments and make better laws, but I don't think it should be forced into place by other countries.

C.

I think we have the moral duty to step in. However, we tend to only use our power when it suits us or we benefit.

Just ask all those college students of Hungary in 1956 or the people of Rwanda or the Jews from Poland in 1939...oh wait you can't cause they died--darn those silly people for not having oil then they might have stood a chance at getting some form of help.

America could do a lot more with the humanitarian side of things. We just tend to think with our guns inside of our heads.

Quoting God:" It is, but what do we do about it? Forcibly take over the government and give women the right to drive? ... [snip!] ... they can form better governments and make better laws, but I don't think it should be forced into place by other countries. C."

Exactly! Civilizations need to evolve and change on their own. We don't have the right to change their minds with force. Freedom is the symbol of this country, and forcing a change on a foreign country is not freedom. We need to practice what we preach.

Just being devils advocate here.

But can we honestly say to children sex workers that we COULD help their society but it needs to evolve on it's own? Maybe if they had been lucky enough to be born 200 years in the future they wouldn't have to do their line of work.

And are you saying that about the many dictatorships that are still around? I think that a lot of people forget that there are still brutal rulers that just don't care.

So does your opinion apply to democratic-ish countries only? Or all of them? And do dictatorships deserve the same rights as a more 'fair' system of government?