What Constitutes A Great Nation?

“Those who don’t know history are condemned to repeat it.”

— George Santayana 

When George Santayana published The Life of Reason in 1905, he expressed a great truth in the quote above—humanity is often fooled by the seductive illusions of our present moment, but by understanding the pitfalls of our past, we might avoid the sorrows and dangers of repeating its history.

Today, we continue to be fooled by the day’s events, blinded even, as we sit behind a wall of deception—much like those prisoners chained to a wall in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.

There is an attempted regime change underway in Iran. America’s latest imposition of sanctions on the country has made its citizens’ lives economically untenable. They rightfully are upset and seeking change. 

It’s not the first time the U.S. has provoked chaos in the oil rich country. There’s a method to it. First there is the influence campaign, including harsh economic sanctions. This triggers mass protests, followed by the brutal regime clampdown. Then there's the massacre of civilians by leaders struggling to hang onto their power. 

I don’t know what the full outcome will be, but what I currently know is tens of thousands of hopeful people have been detained, tortured, or outright executed. 

I won’t explain how I found this old editorial written way back in 1980, but it’s timely, especially as history is in the midst of repeating itself in Iran. 

EDITORIAL:

This is the story of how a dejected, impotent country turned overnight into, once again, the greatest nation in the world.

Since the details surrounding the plot have already been viewed by most Americans, I need only to sum it up. On April 24, 1980, we attempted to rescue the Americans held hostage in Iran. Through this attempt, President Carter, after six long months, finally fit the glass slipper onto the right foot—America.

Patriotism skyrocketed. Addressing a group of Los Angeles high school students, even the Fonz stepped out of character and referred to the rescue mission. His view reflected what the polls had indicated: “We showed the world we are still the greatest country.”

Equally as curious was the sign held by a Reagan supporter in Indiana; it read: “Make America great again—vote for Ronald Reagan.”

If, in fact, we no longer were the greatest, then who was? And when and where did the ratings take place?

Does greatness mean a nation must burst at the seams with military might? A more depressing remark is one I’ve heard most often: “We should bomb the hell out of Iran just to remind the people we are still a strong nation.” How could anyone forget the nuclear weaponry we have carefully positioned throughout the world?

One’s concern to restore respect is certainly admirable, but, when did this country adopt the thinking that military action was the way to do so? Our allies apparently don’t think so. If anything, they feel deceived by our most recent military fiasco in Iran. This is unfortunate because in an era where non-aligned nations teeter-totter between East and West, respect from our few allies is essential.

Perhaps, punishing a non-Westernized country will lift spirits, or diminish our social frustrations, much like the person who beats his children after a tough day at the office. 

But, praetorian emotions such as these are desperately ill-founded and will not fix our current domestic problems. 

Remarkably, inflation, recession, unemployment, and high housing and energy costs, it is felt, cannot be dealt with immediately. Yet, Iran can be—permanently. And this would this make us great again? 

Let's ask, what constitutes a great nation?

In reviewing history, we are taught that greatness means civility, not brutality, sensibility, not irrationality, nobility, not humility. 

In the past, America has exhibited every quality of greatness. 

On the domestic side, we have developed welfare programs to help the poor; a bill of rights envied by people around the world; and a system of government which allows any citizen to establish their own business and thrive. 

On the international level, we have extended a helping hand through diplomacy, the Peace Corps, and international aid programs—most recently the Cambodian Food Lift organized by local citizens.

We’ve all witnessed the great escape from Cuba. We’ve seen Haitians, Vietnamese, and a multitude of others fight to reach the shores of the United States. Is this not enough to convince Americans that we remain the greatest nation in the world?

Certainly, we should recognize that we are not perfect, but not because the CIA tells us the Soviets have a more powerful military than we; not because the Japanese auto industry is willing to design better fuel-efficient cars than we; and not because the OPEC nations control our oil supply.

Our greatest weakness by far is fear, a misplaced fear that we will lose in the end. This crippling posture is not only a detriment to our national well-being, but will diminish any confidence the international community still holds in us.

As for the Soviets, it’s well known that bullies only prey on those who fear them. As for America, running scared has drained our national creative energy which could otherwise promote viable, peaceful solutions to our global and domestic problems. An attitude of confidence will restore respect, renew pride, and convince the world that we are, indeed, a Great America.