I wrote on 1-10-2001: "I'm sure
Bush Jr. will not hesitate to start another war like dear old
Dad."
Well, Bush's first use military
force (that we know of) isn't a
war, but a continuation of military destruction where dear old Dad started a
war, as well as the lingering sanctions that continue to
take the lives of thousands of Iraqi children each
month. I think Jr. is just getting warmed
up. And so much for the
concern about an isolationist policy.
And we've also learned since January that
Jr. is breaking with recent Pentagon policy in his quest to pour billions
more into the US military's high-tech capabilities, in addition to
MDS. The corporations, who
just months ago were calling for a "wealthfare" government infusion of
cash, are beaming with anticipation of cash rolling in. This
is where the surplus should be spent. That and a huge tax
break for the rich.
What does Jr. say to the
concerned EU about his military
plans? "Don't
worry, we'll sell it to you too!"
We all agree US hegemony is past, but is
the mafioso racket here for a while? By increasing US military power and
demonstrating resolve to use it, is Bush hastening the decline of US
power in general, as Wallerstein suggests, or simply building it
up? (Keep in mind that England, for one, doesn't wish
to see a strengthened Germany behind an independent EU force outside
NATO. Can Europe overcome its politics to really unite against the
US?) Given the structural changes of
the world-system since 1945 that suggest we are in a period of transition,
and given that systemic chaos seems
just around the corner, I don't think we count on the inexorable
laws of the world-system to continue.
