Author Andrew Bacevich: Changes Needed To Ensure American Dream for Future Generations

October 21, 2008

Andrew Bacevich may have written and published his latest book The Limits of Power: The End of American Exeptionalism before the U.S. economic crisis hit but he saw it coming.

Bacevich sees the outcome of the crisis going one of two ways. Either it will be a passing phenomenon with the bailout eventually solving the problem or it will mark a turning point in American history. Bacevich believes the latter development will occur.

"For too long the American people and American government have refused to live within their means, assuming an availability of an endless line of credit," said Bacevich at a lecture hosted by the Martin Institute on Monday.

He argues that changes must be made in the management of the economy, culture, politics and foreign policy.

The United States reached its peak as the world's leading power in the 1960s based upon two major factors: one, the folly of U.S. competitors and two, the skill and savvy of U.S. statesman.

The central theme of American foreign policy for centuries has been expansionism. From the acquisition of colonies in the 19th century to the creation of an informal empire in the 20th century, the idea of expansionism was "wildly successful" apart from a few missteps, according to Bacevich.

This success, which led to a positive collation between expansion, power, abundance, and freedom, began to unravel during the Vietnam War.

With few taking notice of this disentanglement, the U.S. began to squander its power, says Bacevich. The end of the Cold War in the late 80s simply helped disguise this decline in power and terms like 'the indispensable nation' used in the 90s to describe the U.S. were "hogwash," argues Bacevich.

"The numbers told a different story. The numbers related to trade imbalances, persistent federal deficits, combined with mushrooming entitlements, plummeting savings rates, and ever-growing energy dependence," said Bacevich.

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