Great piece. For an added perspective on the long-standing official American position that conquest is the legal basis for sovereignty, especially our own, Greg Grandin's "America, América" is a sobering, eye-opening read. It is not surprising that Bessent cites Hamilton, or that Trump has spoken openly of our next "conquest." Might makes right has always been the core of our engagement with the world. We are reaching back to our roots when we more openly support colonial and neocolonial exploitation (indeed, while fostering greater division at home, as well).
Yes, Grandin is great on this. And to your point (and his), it’s precisely that MAGA is more American than any narrative I grew up with that anyone seeking to move beyond colonialism needs a total rethink about the framing of statehood. I find the analogies to the 19th century age of empires facile but also more correct than any other analogies!
Great piece. For an added perspective on the long-standing official American position that conquest is the legal basis for sovereignty, especially our own, Greg Grandin's "America, América" is a sobering, eye-opening read. It is not surprising that Bessent cites Hamilton, or that Trump has spoken openly of our next "conquest." Might makes right has always been the core of our engagement with the world. We are reaching back to our roots when we more openly support colonial and neocolonial exploitation (indeed, while fostering greater division at home, as well).
Yes, Grandin is great on this. And to your point (and his), it’s precisely that MAGA is more American than any narrative I grew up with that anyone seeking to move beyond colonialism needs a total rethink about the framing of statehood. I find the analogies to the 19th century age of empires facile but also more correct than any other analogies!