“It took us 89 years to free the slaves and 189 years to guarantee African-Americans the right to vote,” he writes. “Women waited 144 years before earning suffrage. If a mature, multiparty democracy was so darn easy, everybody would have one.” (via Review of Book - ‘Great Powers’ by Thomas P. M. Barnett - Casting the U.S. as Parent in a Teenage World - NYTimes.com).
Maybe, Mr.Barnett, before you build a case for more intervention by the 'adult' US in the lives of immature Rest, he should look at the American record again!
The writer forgets how the disenfranchisement laws still work in the US. The disenfranchisement laws came into effect by the 1890’s - that continue till today. This ensured that the disproportionate numbers of Blacks could not vote - and George Bush became the President of the USA for the 2nd time. After some 60,000 Black Voters were disenfranchised, George Bush technically, won by less than 1000 votes (most of the disenfranchised voters were expected to vote against George Bush).
Or that in the Police Republic of The US has the largest number of people in prisons - disproportionately African Americans. USA, with a population of 30 crores (300 million), has a criminal population of 70 lakhs (7 million) - behind bars, on probation or on parole. US Government estimates a figure of 20 lakhs (2 million) people serving prison sentences.
Though US women have the vote, they cannot elect their own. Where is the US woman as a President?
Though, maybe the reviewer may be right, when the reviewer claims in the closing line, “it is hard to disagree with his ... observation that “the world desperately wants America back.”
Especially looking at the Middle East, that US propaganda may be working. Maybe, the Middle East does want its Unca Sam fix.
Or that Indians may want 'freedom' - US style.
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