Australia misguided by US exceptionalism

SHI YU/CHINA DAILY

Many Americans believe that, in the words of singer, dancer, actress Tina Turner, America is "simply the best". The notion of "American exceptionalism" can be traced to the founding fathers of the United States. It evolved through the crucible of World War II into a belief that the US' destiny was to lead the world.

With the birth of American "military exceptionalism" grew the need to maximize international outcomes favorable to the US, particularly the acquisition of wealth. To do this, it needed to see off rivals.

The US has sought to control outcomes worldwide in order to ensure its economic advantage is not lost, and it gains new opportunities. It secretly sided with the apartheid regime to stop what it saw as the downward thrust of communism into South Africa by the socialist governments in Angola and Mozambique. It sought to protect its trade in gold, diamonds and market for oil.

For the same reasons of trade, it fought for the Vietnam War. And it invaded Iraq for oil. The US has sought to preserve its hold over the world's financial reserves. It has sought to control the movement of capital, which it believes is its unique preserve. It fights to protect capitalism.

And it views any diminution in trade and finance as a loss of power.

The US' current disputes with China have less to do with the South China Sea and more to do with viewing China as an economic rival and competitor. The US is seeking to contain and intimidate China. It is seeking outcomes through bullying rather than negotiations.

US diplomacy since World War II has been conducted through the barrel of a gun. Unfortunately, Australia has tended to follow the US in the latter's political and economic pursuit.

There are strands to American exceptionalism; some are idealistic, believing that the US with God's will could create a better world. That view was held within churches but is fading in the face of militant right-wing Christianity.

Another is held domestically and broaches no criticism. It is narrow, inward looking and holds that the US can achieve whatever it wants, whenever it wants. It is blind even in the face of reality. It is a view held on the right of US politics which continues to believe in the superiority of American arms and that they should be used to maintain US prestige and preeminence.

Another is held outside of the US and dates back to the visits of European intellectuals and industrialists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were awed by the wealth and power displayed by the furnaces of Pittsburgh, the trans-national railways and skyscrapers of New York; they wrote about the US with envy. The view held by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is also held by incumbent British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

With American exceptionalism finding its apotheosis at the end of World War II, wartime propaganda was refined into promoting all things American by Hollywood and the media from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to Life, Newsweek and Time magazines.

The media in Australia, mainly controlled by Rupert Murdoch, has been worshipful and sycophantic in its reportage of all things American. American exceptionalism had a strong currency with my generation. It has diminished, hastened by US President Donald Trump.

The American hold on technology expressed through the automotive, aviation and space industries, and Silicon Valley was exceptional but the lead and reputation gained have been whittled away by competitors such as Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea and most recently China-a source of great anxiety to the US.

Many churches in the US support exceptionalism, particularly in the south where it co-exists with white supremacy. Educational institutions support the notion along with the armed services where it is linked to patriotism. And success in sport is an extension of the exceptionalism battleground.

The ignominious US defeat in the Vietnam War and its unsuccessful campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have put paid to international perceptions of American exceptionalism. Nonetheless, the US defence establishment continues to believe in its own invincibility which is dangerous when set against wounded pride and diminished prestige, not helped by Trump.

There are hundreds of US bases around the world with 200,000 troops deployed. There are four US bases in Australia, with the US also having access to Australian Defence Forces bases and training areas.

Since the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Washington has spent $6.4 trillion on wars in the Middle East and securing what it regards as its right to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, even though those rights were never under threat.

The US has 50 bases ringing China with the intention of containment and control; all of this to maintain US supremacy, which is itself based on the notion of exceptionalism.

Given the fate of American exceptionalism, Australian exceptionalism appears shrill, shallow, showy and superficial; it does not stand up to scrutiny.

The author is a retired Australian diplomat and political commentator.