For "a nation with the soul of a church," to cite British writer G.K. Chesterton's famed description of the United States, Luce's proposal of a marriage between a generic Judeo-Christianity and national purpose seemed eminently plausible. But plausible is not inevitable, nor irreversible. A union rocked by recurring quarrels and trial separations has today ended in divorce. The full implications of that divorce for American policy abroad remain to be seen, but at a minimum suggest that anyone proposing to unveil a "New American Century" is living in a dreamworld.
Bessner concludes his essay by suggesting that the American Century should give way to a "Global Century", in which U.S. power is not only restrained but reduced, and in which every nation is dedicated to solving the problems that threaten us all." Such a proposal strikes me as broadly appealing, assuming that the world's other 190-plus nations, especially the richer, more powerful ones, sign on. That, of course, is a very large assumption, indeed. Negotiating the terms that will define such a Global Century, including reapportioning wealth and privileges between haves and have-nots, promises to be a daunting proposition.
Meanwhile, what fate awaits the American Century itself? Some in the upper reaches of the establishment will, of course, exert themselves to avert its passing by advocating more bouts of military muscle-flexing, as if a repetition of Afghanistan and Iraq or deepening involvement in Ukraine will impart to our threadbare empire a new lease on life. That Americans in significant numbers will more willingly die for Kyiv, than they did for Kabul seems improbable.
Better in my estimation to give up entirely the pretensions Henry Luce articulated back in 1941. Rather than attempting to resurrect the American Century, perhaps it's time to focus on the more modest goal of salvaging a unified American republic.
One glance at the contemporary political landscape suggests that such a goal alone is a tall order. On that score, however, reconstituting a common moral framework would surely be the place to begin.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
