Can Pax Americana Succeed?

Abstract

With the election of President Johnson, the American people had every right to expect the lessening of cold-war tensions and defense expenditures and increased government attention to the serious and long-standing domestic problems of the nation. However, the decision to use force in Vietnam has done irreparable harm to the American image in Asia and is forcing the Soviet Union and China together in spite of their ideological differences. Coupled with the growing hostility toward American economic outthrusts in West Europe—which are encouraging economic co-operation between West and East Europe—the danger of an involuntary "Fortress America" looms large. Also the Administration's decision to send large numbers of troops to Santo Domingo to protect and evacuate American citizens and to prevent "another Cuba" has aroused Latin-American anger and fear of us. If the United States continues to intervene in every small revolution which seems capable of turning Communist, it will find itself encircled by a hostile world. The Fortress America which would perforce result would lower our living standards, endanger nuclear war, and usher in a new era of McCarthyism, none of which would be conducive to individual freedom. As in 1954, when a few powerful officials were pushing us into preventive war with China, conservatives and liberals should join in effective protest against government policies before it is too late.—Ed.