CR 6: Pax Americana?

          It is often said that the history is the process of shifting major power and its balance. Rome empire, which had millions of population and conquered vast majorities of territories in Europe, was never believed to lose its power. However, Rome empire's influence was weakened when Germanic and Slavic culture started to change the Latin civilization. How about the kingdom of Spain? The great power of Spanish Armada was believed to be an everlastingly unbeaten military power, but it was also defeated by English Navy at Elizabeth period. Likewise, in the 21st century, the United States is undoubtedly the greatest super-power nation in the world. And there comes a next question: when does 'Pax Americana' come to an end? 
           The term 'Pax Americana' was firstly used when United States  became the most powerful country in North America, achieving peace and balance after finishing American Civil War. Two world wars were an opportunity for US; its military power influence finally ended the wars in Europe, and when Europe was in  the abysmal economic crisis after the wars, America's economic, military support and the spirit of capitalism prevailed the Western countries. Even after the collapse of Soviet Union and its coalition nations, US is now encountering its golden age: US has the greatest economy and military power. Everyone seeks for the freedom, chances, and liberties in the territories of US. Many students dream for entering prestigious colleges and institutions in the US. Everyone watches movies and TV shows made in Hollywood,  buys iPhone, iPod, and uses Facebook and Google. No one can deny that US is the most powerful and influential country in the world. 
           The problem is that superpowers, most often, face the decline after they hit the peak. Throughout the world history, we have seen many examples: Roman empire, Great Britain, or Ming Dynasty. I think that there are some factors that weaken the power of United States as well. For example, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, which happened in 2008, enormously hit  the worldwide economy, and America is still suffering from high unemployment rate and the aftermath of recessions. Emergence of China as a new political, economic superpower is another threat to America.  
             However, I believe that the most significant factor that accelerates the decline of US power is, ironically, its hegemonism to expand its power all over the world. Inside this concept of hegemonism, there lies a spirit of 'selfishness'. Of course, all nations should pursue its own national goal, and it cannot be achieved without some extent of selfishness. However, in America's case, its selfishness to pursue its national interest goes way too far. How about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? US started this war with the purpose of finding Osama Bin Laden, the terrorist. However, in this war, US showed off too much violence and cruelty by killing innocent civilians and bombarding the cities. US says that they are the worldwide-police, but many people in other countries believe that US just wants to pretend to be a superhero or just show off its power. We can see another example from environmental pollution: US didn't follow Kyoto protocol to reduce its CO2 and greenhouse gas emission, even though all other developed countries agreed to follow it.  Now, US is the second most environment-polluting nation in the world, following China, the first place nation. 
            I don't know whether its selfishness is justified or not; however, I think that its selfishness, or its excessive hegemonism continues to take place, it will accelerate the end of its 'Pax Americana'


Debate Motions:
1. THBT George Bush administration did more harm than good to world peace
2. THBT wars in Afghanistan cannot be justified.
3. THBT US has to follow Kyoto protocol

Favorite Debate Motions

My favorite debate motions are:

<Politics/ Diplomatics>

This House Would ban media coverage of ongoing military operations

This House Supports the unification of Korea Peninsula

This House Believes That WikiLeaks is a terrorist organization

This House Believes That China is a threat to world peace

This House Would cease an aid to North Korea

This House Believes That cold war between US and USSR did more harm than good to current world

This House Believes That Barack Obama is not qualified to get Nobel Peace Prize

This House Would expand the permanent membership of UN Security Council

This House Believes That no-fly zone in Libya is justified

This House Would make disseminating false information punishable by criminal law

This House Would support autocratic regimes in third world nations to maintain regional stability

<Economics>

This House Believes That economic development is more important than environmental protection

This House Believes That Genetically Modified Food is an answer to world hunger

This House Would regulate hypermarkets in Korea

This House Believes That G20 has solved 2008 worldwide economic crisis 

<Rights/Morality>

This House Would legalize abortion

This House Would not eat meat 

This House Believes That gay marriage should be banned

This House Would allow gay couples' adoption

This House Believes That plastic surgery is wrong

This House supports Euthanasia

This House Would not allow prisoners to publish their criminal accounts 

This House Believes that the state has a right to separate married couples in the cases of domestic violence

<Education>

This House Believes That private education in South Korea does more harm than good

This House Believes That standardized tests should be banned

This House Would allow corporal punishments in classroom

This House Supports free-lunch in elementary schools in Korea