By Dominic Johnson, Bradley A. Thayer
Russia’s bold actions in Crimea and China’s continuing expansion in the South and East China Seas mark the return of great-power politics. We should not be surprised. Although many Americans thought it did, great-power politics never went away. This is because humans never went away: The world may change, but humans do not.
While there is considerable surprise and anger in the West, the actions of China to push the United States out of the South China Sea or Putin’s seizure of Crimea reminds us of a fundamental truth. Power is the coin of the realm in international politics. States want power. But this desire does not arise out of a vacuum. States want power because men want power—a feature of biological organisms stretching back to the origin of life on Earth. Evidence of this is so woven into the fabric of economic, social, and political life that we rarely question or notice it.
The behaviour we expect—indeed praise—in business is also true of international politics. Firms strive for more profit, market share, and return to investors. In essence, they try to maximize their power, all the while undermining or preventing competition.
Athletes do the same. We praise rather than condemn Peyton Manning or Albert Pujols for trying to be his best in a fiercely competitive and dangerous environment.
Domestic politics is often described as a “contact sport,” and not for the timid. Bold action is rewarded. Bill Clinton, Dick Cheney, or Barack Obama did not rise to their heights by being shrinking violets.
What is true for business, sports and domestic politics is true for international politics.
It is just much worse.
Source: nationalinterest.org
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