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To the conquerors go the spoils: Why is American Imperialism Centre of the 21st century Axis of Evil ?

There are several reasons for US belligerence and here are a few of the main ones: Firstly the Capitalist Profit system under which the world suffers is a chaotic and brutal method to live by. So from that which is so primitive and base we see a predictable fruit of unbridled aggression and the oppression of the majority of Humanity to prop up the privileged power elite. It is essential for a system based on class distinction to not only exploit the masses but ensure that they remain in their place; under-foot and unrepresented. Therefore the international ruling class have since their formation repressed any society (including their own) or group which exhibited any sign of workers democratic representation (Socialism). They destabilise any nation that dares to step out of line, fund brutal dictatorships to overthrow and replace democratically elected presidents, then form cordial relationships with the victorious henchmen: Pinochet in Chile, Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, etc., etc. A second reason distinctive for Iraq are its reserves of Oil, which America sees as essential components of its future (environmentally friendly?) economy, even if they do belong to a far away people. The establishment of local military bases to guard and ensure these oil reserves are available to America and its closest allies in the coming period, (as opposed to other superpowers) was the real, covert agenda beneath its pretext of 'liberation' or 'eradication of WMDs'. Last but not least War is a very profitable enterprise, as can be seen from the rich tapestry of corporations and tax-free subsidiaries with their snouts in the bloody trough of the war profiteer. Often the very politicians involved in creating the wars are making rich picking off the deaths of their countrymen who elected them, before dying in conflict. Former 'Secretary of Defence' Dick Cheney is a shameless example. He slid like a well oiled eel from his 89 - 93 government position with Bush senior into a $44 million post with Haliburton over the next 5 years, before returning to the dynastic appointment of 'Vice President' for the 'United States' ensuring military logistics were privatised and that lucrative reconstruction contracts were ring-fenced for Haliburton so his personal assets in the corporation sprang from $241,498 to a value of over $8 million. Audio presentation by Marxist A Woods on Socialism: http://www.socialist.net/what-is-capitalism-what-is-socialism.htm Film, by Naomi Klein: http: //www.channel4.com/programmes/the-shock-doctrine All new points responded to eventually ============================== * Elle * I don't believe real social change is possible without a fundamental change in the consciousness of working class Americans; taking charge of their destiny, realising that the Capitalist ruling class are their historical enemies and sweeping them aside. * Big bro's * Quite right. Because the accumulation of profit is the only imperative, the profit system comes with wastage of commodities on a vast and perverse scale. * Mike N * Its quite impossible to incorporate both aspects of fundamentally opposing economic systems within one state. just as oil and water do not mix nor do socialism and capitalism. The only reason so many (esp. Americans) labour under this false notion is because various political pundits use the appellation of socialism as an epithetical, derogatory description for the ills of their own systems failures in its various manifestations. Whether its unbridled or reformed it is still essentially Capitalist. * Sheepy * You don't understand the basic nature of Socialism. Follow the Marxist link. As for human nature, it is whatever we make of it.

Public Comments

1. Well, uh, Gee. I thought it was just the fact that if Americans weren't so belligerent all the time then they'd realize what a crock of sh!t they stand for. Independence? Get real, people all over the world have been fighting for Independence since before the U.S was even thought up.
2. ask the fed bankers and weapons makers
3. It appears that you are merely regurgitating someone else's ideas. I suppose that is because you have no original ideas of your own. If the United States were to wage war against a country for its oil, we would choose Mexico over Iraq, especially since there is more oil to be gained in Mexico *and* it would be easier to ship back. Thank you for playing, though. We have some wonderful parting gifts for you. kthxbai
4. And with the recent deployment of 30,000 more US troops, it looks like BamBam is going to continue the military-industrial complexes goals. Change my ass. You can expect the US government to find an excuse to invade Iran or Pakistan in the near future, as well as some African nations, and expect the US to become more and more facsist. I had such high hopes for this nation.
5. Why? It isn't. America hasn't had a free-market system in decades. We're half-way socialist and half-way capitalist, and it's not working. Duh! I'm not saying every single person in a capitalist system is morally right and non-corrupt, but the simple fact is the capitalist system offers one thing: a chance. A capitalist system is the only system where someone who works hard can go from being poor to rich over his/her lifetime. I'll give some facts. 1.) The top 1% pays over 40% of the income taxes in America. That's about as progressive/socialist as you can get. 2.) The lowest quintile of income-earners paid .4 percent of all taxes in 2007! The second lowest paid 2.3 percent and the middle paid 7.7. The top two quintiles (the top 40%) paid nearly 90% of all the taxes in the US in 2007. 3.) The poor are getting richer. The income change over the past 18 years for the poor on average is 190%. That means that someone making $10,000 a year in '87 now makes nearly 50K a year once adjusted for inflation. I agree with you that recent administrations, (i'm sure you'd say Bush but I'd say anyone past Reagan), have acted in their own self-interest and cared little for the people or their actions, but to condemn an entire system for the idiocy of its leaders is foolish. I respect your opinion, but America is the best and brightest nation in the world. Period.
6. They have to destroy crops to keep prices artificially high and thus let most produce go to waist
7. Well if they were smart they would realise human nature would always be the failing of Socialism which would bring the next step Communism then the real problems start because anyone who disagrees tends to get murdered as a rule. Don't know about you but i am a bit bored of having the choice of two devils. Edit; i understand it all too well it is you who doesn't understand human nature but whatever.
8. The Countries in the Axis of Evil. were all that would not do business with the USA, under their standards. In other words, they will not change the way in which they live, for the American way.