The Collegiate Laws of Life Essay Contest asked Penn State Students to explore ethical values and intercultural issues, and their talent for expressing their views in writing. Below, you will find the honorable mention essay from Economics major Marissa Kandziolka, responding to the prompt:
“The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection as possible…. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” ~ George Washington
How should we understand this historical legacy? Do you think that the United States should continue to foster democracy across the world? Why or why not?
“@WashingtonPlusContext” by: Marissa Kandziolka
“Everyone you meet is your mother,” reads a tweet by @NYTMinusContext. The quote is one of over 3,900 shared by the user who, as their name suggests, takes New York Times quotes out of context. The tweets are a mixture of strange, hilarious, and downright confusing. While entertaining, the truth is that all of the tweets convey absolutely nothing without their context. Thus, the Twitter account teaches the timeless lesson that context is everything.
If Twitter and The New York Times existed during George Washington’s presidency he would have no doubt been the lead story. His Farewell Address would have been front-page news, and one can only imagine that a quote such as “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world,” would have been a headline. Once more, context is everything.
How, then, should we interpret Washington’s statements? Should we dismiss them as malarkey, the words of a long dead man who never knew the brightness of a computer screen? After all, he did live in a time when America was in a “detached and distant situation.” No, we should read them as they are, keeping in mind their context, and apply them to the present.
If Washington were given 140 characters he may have tweeted this: The US is a government for the people and should act as such. Everything it does shall be of benefit to its citizens and itself.
At its core, Washington’s Address proposes that America should limit its involvement with other nations beyond what is required to maintain commercial relations. He suggested that all interactions should be those that benefit the United States economically. He dismissed permanent alliances, those that are binding, instead favoring those that are short term and completely necessary. These suggestions are timeless. They can be followed just as easily today as they could have in the 18th century. Not only are such proposals translatable to the 21st century, they are also extremely familiar within today’s society, especially to anyone familiar with the world of business and the functions of corporations.
Just as it is in the best interest of a corporation to focus on bettering itself, rather than becoming entangled in the issues of other entities, so too is it to the advantage of the nation that the United States stay out of all agreements and alliances which are not to the direct benefit of its citizens. In addressing the issue of America as the international foster parent of democracy, we can apply the same principles laid out by Washington and the analogy of government being run like a strong corporation. The goal of majority of corporations is to expand in order to make a larger profit. This expansion is both time consuming and highly controlled. A successful corporation does not overrun every company it can. It takes measured steps, ensuring that the structure and function of those companies that it is buying out align with its own. This is the approach that the United States should have toward expanding and fostering democracy. It is proven that democratic nations tend to be comparatively peaceful towards one another, a fact which implies that it is to the benefit of the United States to spread democracy. However, just as a corporation must be prudent in which areas it chooses to extend itself, so to must the US. The United States should not attempt to foster democracy in nations whose culture and traditions do not coincide with democratic principles. In countries such as Afghanistan, where tradition is the centerpiece of life, democracy does not fit well with existing, ingrained religious ideals. As seen numerous times throughout recent history, the “contract of democracy” is not one that a country can be successfully forced into signing. Rather compromise and agreement on both ends are necessary for democracy to succeed.
First and foremost however the United States should act in its own best interest, concerning itself with the politics of other nations in only the most extreme of situations such as genocide or nuclear holocaust. This “best interest” may mean negotiating trade agreements, establishing temporary alliances, and standing as a model of democracy; however, it should not mean overextending itself, taking further debt, or bothering with the time, money, and energy necessary to “foster” democracy where it is unwanted.
The future–however is, as always, uncertain, and as I make these statements I realize that, in time, they may seem just as archaic as good old George’s. So, to the people enjoying my words 220 years from now on some unfathomable, advanced technology, please take all of my statements in context.