Carthago Delenda Est

By Daniel Leven
Spring 2008

“It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”
~ George Washington

President Washington penned these words as part of his Presidential Farewell Address – one of the many Presidential traditions he started. Through all his public experience, he learned much about the American people. Washington gave this recommendation knowing that Americans are a fickle lot. Like Washington, I say this not to chastise, but to recommend prudence on the part of our leaders. This idea of of prudence in governmental action is central to a libertarian foreign policy.

The best way to implement a prudent foreign policy is through non-intervention. Note that this is not the same as the isolationism of the 1920's. A non-interventionist does not want to shut himself or herself off from the world. A non-interventionists believe that, rather than police the world, the United States should cooperate and trade peacefully with most other countries. With more humility in external affairs, by not assuming that American culture is superior, the United States would probably find itself with more friends and less enemies.

That is not to say that such a policy would defeat all American antagonists. There will always be enemies of the freedoms American citizens enjoy. The current American policy resembles the ancient Roman saying “Carthago Delenda Est:” Carthage must be destroyed. Does this not resemble the foreign policy of America over the last half century? Following in the tradition of Imperialism, whenever America defeats an enemy, the United States military then proceeds to build a military base in the country. Of what use is this? So the American government can strike back easily at any action that hurts America? To construct a lasting symbol of the country's defeat? Or, are the bases simply over there to protect American assets abroad? Whatever the reason for the bases' existence, one must acknowledge that all three presented reasons are accomplished, and that all three smack of Imperialism. They present either a feeling of subjugation, or imply that American assets are too important to be trusted with the natives.

So, given all the negatives of our current foreign policy: what is to be done? The American government could start by not wasting manpower, tax dollars, and materials abroad in the forms of such bases. There are still American bases in Germany! But, the government should not just close the bases in the “good countries.” To paraphrase Congressman Ron Paul – who is still running for President if anyone cares – imagine how you would feel if there were a Chinese base anywhere on American soil. This presence of military might that is not your own creates a fear and loathing for the oppressing military. The really powerful example of such a fear and loathing is America's presence in Saudi Arabia, especially near the holy cites of Mecca and Medina. This was among the main reasons Osama Bin Laden declared war on the United States. I do not think we should shut these bases down to appease him, nor any other foreigners. These bases should be closed to clear the American conscience. To live up to the founder's dream of an America which does not look for trouble. An America that is a beacon of freedom and education to the rest of the world, not a bastion of power and fear.

Daniel Leven is the Vice-President of the Rutgers Libertarians. He is a School of Arts and Sciences Junior, majoring in Mathematics.