On Wednesday I wrote about how the United States should keep an open mind to the use of military force as a solution for dealing with the drug cartels. I argued that Theodore Roosevelt’s belief that the Monroe Doctrine — President Monroe’s statement that the United States would act to keep European powers out of the New World — would prompt the U.S. to intervene in Latin American countries that were falling apart stands as a model for dealing with the gangs that run rampant at our border.
In my piece I briefly mention China’s encroaching influence in the Western hemisphere. Also on Wednesday, professor Rebecca Munson of Liberty University wrote a fine piece further exploring the morality of the Monroe Doctrine for Providence magazine. She correctly states that compared with Chinese goals, American foreign policy is profoundly moral:
The US has not wielded power perfectly. Certain choices have complicated and fueled human rights problems. But the US at least strives to use her position to advance fundamental rights and liberties. Absolute purity of intention will never exist on this earth so Americans must stop letting the perfect become the enemy of the good.
She’s right. I argued from the realist position that the United States should do everything in its power to defend herself from Chinese encroachment, but objectively speaking the moral difference between China and the United States is night and day. Even if you reject my hawkish premises, there is still much the United States can do to fortify our position in Latin America. More from Rebecca:
Today, an equally creative, cost-effective approach can be developed by fostering private-sector activities. The Biden Administration can use existing trade architecture to build investment and private sector growth in the region. Latin American countries want foreign investment and with the right support from DC, Biden can deliver it. This type of positive engagement is a far cry from interventionism.
She ends with this:
The need to prioritize Latin America policy is nothing new. Europeans colonized the region in the 19th century, there was concern over Nazi influence in the aftermath of WWII, and now China is seeing how many allies it can win through economic coercion.
The US thinks it is avoiding problems by staying out of Latin American affairs. But she has never truly been isolationist, and should reflect on the practical and moral reasons why.
Yes, we should.
You can read Rebecca’s piece here.