Mahbubani Response

Although Mahbubani argues that the West has no business getting involved in the welfare of other countries, it is necessary for the US and Western Nations to lend a hand in guaranteeing other countries success and prosperity. Due to our ‘Superpower’ status, we are obligated to prevent nations from falling behind economically or democratically. Mahabubani argues that the US has continually made poor decisions regarding foreign affairs, especially movement into Iraq. Not that I agree with how everything was carried out, but in Bush’s defense, if we hadn’t gotten involved Hussein most likely would’ve established a stronger relationship with Al Queda, developed weapons of mass destruction and used them against us or continued using them on other Iraqi citizens. President Bush had little time to make a decision and had limited information about the crisis. Considering the circumstances and the aftermath of 9/11, acting to prevent these disasters from happening far outweighed the cost of not doing anything.

However, this article has me conflicted because there are good arguments for both sides. I also believe that the US cannot be the means to the end of every country’s ills, no matter the circumstances. I can’t imagine that the Iraqi citizens welcomed armed foreigners on their soil dictating how they should and will live. Although we meant well by our initial goal of securing freedom for citizens and removing a regime driven by terrorism, our prolonged stay hasn’t proven to be as successful or rewarding as we’d hoped. It has posed the suggestion that maybe these countries should hold their own and try to minimize conflict without the help from the West. I do believe that it is the US’s duty to assist countries and encourage them to meet their potential, for the West is home to the “best-managed states in the world, the most economically developed, and the strongest democratic institutions” (Mahbubani) and it would be a waste to focus our prosperity inward and not extend it to other countries. However, international help should be coupled with guidelines to prevent the US from appearing as an interventionist nation and from making matters worse.