I just got done reading Putin's op-ed in the New York Times. Putin, the messenger here, is far from perfect. But honestly some key messages in his piece really need to be heard:
Respect for international law and institutions: We all knew it when Bush went completely off the rails and blew off the UN to carry out his plan to invade and pillage Iraq. But it can't possibly become the new American norm to expect everyone except us to respect international law and agreements, as Obama is certainly acting. We need to embrace - and help strengthen - these multi-lateral institutions, not further eviscerate them.
Danger of American exceptionalism: The statement "It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation" is absolutely true. History is full of examples where this very concept was justification for genocide: Hitler's Aryan race leading to the attempted extermination of Jews and other races; the US 'manifest destiny' claiming that God had a greater plan for Americans (really!!!?!) and used as pretext to nearly exterminate Native Americans; the Spaniards and their 'evangelization' of South America. But also things like slavery, where white farmers saw themselves entitled to own black people because of some perceived superiority, or exceptionalism. Even in the current debate on immigration, many Americans whose parents or ancestors immigrated here think of themselves as superior to those trying to immigrate here now, and use that as justification to turn a blind eye to the many abuses and injustices immigrants often have to suffer.
Americans love their country and that's great. It's a beautiful place and I chose to make my home here and become an American citizen years ago. But who are we to go telling someone from Brazil, or Italy, or China, or Egypt, or Kenya, or Mexico that we are greater than they are? Or more entitled? What defines that anyway? GDP? Most guns and bombs? Certainly not measures of greatness. Happiness index? Quality of life? Life expectancy? Population health? Percent of population in poverty? Education levels? Economic opportunity? Greatest freedoms for its population? Most democratic institutions? Impartial justice system? The US doesn't lead in any of these measures. Besides, this is not a competition. Everyone is entitled to love their country equally, but should never use their love of country as a reason to think less of another.
This is particularly important not just because of Syria, but because our world is in serious need of much solidarity, unity and equality. We have big problems to solve as a species. We are killing our planet and many of the things that live on it. American exceptionalism is often cited in the US for the justification that the US, with less than 5% of the world's population, generates close to 30% of its pollution and consumes over 25% of its resources. This is neither sustainable nor fair. When we see kids in kindergarten who hoard all the toys, don't share well, throw tantrums when they don't get their way, are mean and pick on the smaller kids, we don't call them exceptional. Maybe their parents do? But the rest of us call them what they are: Brats and bullies.
It's time for US political leaders to stop reinforcing this dangerous exceptionalism narrative, and start setting the example we wish all other nations to follow. Let's lead by example, not by force. Let's inspire respect and admiration, not fear and loathing. Let's be known for our wisdom and selflessness, not for our greed and brutality. That would be quite exceptional.
