With Power Comes Responsibility: A Theory

In every situation that deals with foreign policy, the circumstances for the need of aid are different. This causes people to have differing opinions about the type of aid that should be provided to countries individually. Because of this, I feel that the argument over what the role of the U.S. should be as the global superpower centers around what values the U.S. should promote in other countries, and what tactics should be used to mandate these ideals.

In order for polarized sides to find a common ground, it is important for these sides to realize the difference between realistic and idealistic goals that can be accomplished as a super power. What is also important for opposing sides to realize is that the issues that the U.S. is trying to solve are at such a large scale that all plans and situations have sacrifices. Both opinions must also be open to listening to the reasons for the opposite sides opinions.

I think that this issue has become such a contentious issue because people will always want to help change the world. This belief, coupled with the amount of power that the U.S. has, causes citizens to feel strongly about helping others. The problem is that not everybody agrees on how the world should be changed. What also makes the situation so contentious is the deep feelings that people have surrounding their opinion of the value of life, and if lessening suffering in other countries is worth sacrifice in our country and the deaths of fellow citizens.