Power and Weakness
Robert Kagan's 2002 article entitled "Power and Weakness" which appeared in the journal Policy Review is a fine example of an argument that takes advantage of its assumptions without discussing them. The purpose of this essay is to critically analyze this source which represents a sustained reflection on the detractions, merit and implications of the author. This essay will first summarize the article by discussing the explicit and implicit assumptions made by the author. The next section of this essay will state my personal views on the subject presented and discuss the implications that I believe the article to be putting forth.
The essential point of the article can be inferred by the subtitle of the article: Why the United States and Europe see the World Differently. This piece was written in the year 2002 which, in historical terms was a very delicate and trying time for the entire Western world as a result of the suspected terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The first line of the article sets the tone for Kagan's theory. He claimed that "it is time to stop pretending that European and American's share a common view of the world, or even that they occupy the same world." It is quite obvious that the author is making a distinction between the continent of Europe and the country of the United States.
One of the main themes of this articles which supports the author's proclamation suggests that for most if, not all, of the recorded history of the land mass known as Europe has been drenched in brutal conflict, but has recently changed it ways after finally realizing that war is generally not a very productive way to occupy time. Kagan hammers home the point many times that Europeans are more intellectual and conscious of their environment. American's are referred to as cowboys recklessly riding around firing their guns in this article implying that American's are a more violent nation in today's world. Kagan suggested that this diversion is a change and a movement away from the more natural state of things. He claimed that "despite what many...
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