A military blunder in Iraq and a civil catastrophe in New Orleans clearly indicate that the state of the United States of America is not to the best. You might say that the United States just happens to have an incapable and neglecting federal government in hard times. There is certainly a case to make that the Bush government has de-legitimized itself by the way it runs government.
However, there is a bigger claim to make, which transcends those charges of ruthlessness and negligence on the part of the present administration. Iraq and New Orleans remind us of the disproportionate overvaluing of security and military issues at the cost of those that affect “the good living”, the social resources of a community. Among these resources the most fundamental is life itself. But even life is no longer an issue for the state as should be - both in Iraq and in the U.S. proper, take New Orleans.
The post-war Iraq scenario was worth no more than a mere piece of paper to the U.S. military and its commander-in-chief, President Bush. Its main dictum: no plan is needed, the Iraqi people love freedom, so they love the U.S. and will await American soldiers with flowers.1Democracy would encroach on the country all by itself. A century from now, this assumption might serve as a ridiculous joke. Today, it is just an unbelievably sad token of the arrogance and stupidity of the superpower a whole world is relying on for universal justice and freedom. And furthermore, it shows how the government did not a piece of thinking on how to best protect its soldiers in a country with a culture so different than their own.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Iraq War, New Orleans, and State Responsibility
- The Post-War Iraq Scenario
- The New Orleans Scenario
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the failures of the United States government in its response to the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina, arguing that these events highlight the state’s disproportionate emphasis on security and military issues at the expense of social resources and the well-being of its citizens. The essay challenges the notion of the United States as a humane democracy, suggesting that the country's actions in Iraq and New Orleans indicate a lack of concern for human life and a prioritization of military might over social responsibility.
- State responsibility for citizen well-being
- The impact of neglecting social resources
- The role of the state in a globalized world
- The consequences of prioritizing security over social welfare
- The importance of social cohesion and a strong state
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Iraq War, New Orleans, and State Responsibility: This introductory chapter lays out the central argument of the essay, highlighting the failures of the US government in Iraq and New Orleans as evidence of a state that prioritizes security and military might over the well-being of its citizens.
- The Post-War Iraq Scenario: This chapter analyzes the US military's lack of preparation for post-war Iraq, highlighting the lack of a comprehensive plan for rebuilding and the disregard for Iraqi culture and customs. This lack of preparedness contributed to the instability and violence that plagued the country following the invasion.
- The New Orleans Scenario: This chapter explores the government's inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the failure to protect the city's residents and provide adequate assistance in the aftermath of the disaster. The essay criticizes the government's prioritization of security measures over the basic needs of the population, resulting in widespread suffering and loss of life.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay examines the themes of state responsibility, social resources, security, military intervention, humanitarian aid, and the role of the state in a globalized world. It focuses on the failures of the US government in Iraq and New Orleans as case studies, highlighting the consequences of neglecting social welfare in favor of military might.
- Citar trabajo
- Anonym (Autor), 2006, Iraq, New Orleans, and State Responsibility, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66805
