America should be the world's policeman

America should be the world's policeman

12 Feb 2008

This debate took place in New York on 12 February 2008.

Speaking in favour of the motion are Max Boot, Douglas Murray and Michael Mandelbaum.

Max Boot states that Only America can enforce international law - the laws are worthless without enforcement mechanisms, and the UN and NATO are ineffectual. America has the most “vibrant economy, the most fervent devotion to liberty, and the most powerful military”, so they are obligated to defend civilisation.

Douglas Murray believes that America is a benevolent global power. It tolerates people standing up against it, picketing its military institutions. Which other policeman “wouldn’t object when people continue to rejoice in poking it in the eye?” The same could not be said of China or Saudi Arabia.

Michael Mandelbaum agress that the world needs policing and states his belief that there is no better policeman than the United States. The world’s governments have a keen interest in global order, and could, if they chose, circumscribe or abolish altogether the American role as the world’s policeman. But they have not done so.

Speaking against the motion are Ellen Laipson, Matthew Parris and Ian Bremmer.

Ellen Laipson says that America is a country, not a global government - American servicemen should not be put in harm’s way when American interests are modest. Furthermore, they lack the resources to do so: out of 11,000 policemen currently deployed by the UN, only 291 are American.

Matthew Parris believes that the US 'police' would have no legitimacy. A policeman implements laws made by and for the people that he polices, under a government whose legitimacy derives from its being their own. “Police other nations and there will be no such assumed legitimacy. Without acquiescence you can only impose.”

Ian Bremmer states that America does not have the political capital to police the world. Taking on the role of global policeman risks a growth of anti-Americanism abroad and a rise of protectionism and neo-isolationism domestically. It might make the American people question whether they are benefiting from their place in the world system.

First vote: 24% For, 44% Against, 32% Don't know

Final vote: 47% For, 48% Against, 5% Don't know

Thank you to IQ² US for allowing us to use this video.

Speakers for the motion

Max Boot

Senior Fellow for National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Michael Mandelbaum

Christian A Herter Professor of American Foreign Policy, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
Douglas Murray

Author and journalist, and Associate Director of the Henry Jackson Society

Chair

Morley Safer

Reporter and CBS News correspondent

Speakers against the motion

Ian Bremmer

American political scientist specialising in US foreign policy
Ellen Laipson

president and CEO, the Henry L Stimson Center
Matthew Parris

Columnist on The Times and the Spectator, author and broadcaster