Could you expand on the idea of repurposing the US empire for climate/noble causes? Frankly I was surprised to see this because of your previous commentary I’ve heard about the breakdown of US empire and the ways the perpetuation of empire has contributed to issues like climate breakdown. When liberal/left talk politicians about America taking “climate leadership” that is what they’re referring to though so it is an important question to consider.
Also, how you define US empire? Is it limited to America’s military/formal state power or do you include the international institutions where the US has significant clout/contributes large amounts of funding? I think I buy into the argument more when using the latter definition, but curious either way!
Thanks for reading and commenting! Basically, the purpose of the piece was to raise the idea of planetary institutions while putting this notion in dialogue with the actually-existing structures that a governing left might one day control. How, or, more crucially, if, a governing the left can repurpose structures of empire to positive ends remains very much unknown. I define empire capaciously: it includes formal and informal institutions, as well as former and informal networks, both nationally and internationally situated.
Imagine the possibilities with a US military transformed into a constructive force to address such issues. All that technology, logistical infrastructure, operational expertise, turned toward benefiting rather than destroying humanity and the planet. The amount we could do is almost unimaginable.
"More democratic at the international level". Yeah, I guess that'd be the only way to go about it. Using the American Empire in such a way as for it to be neither America as such nor an empire. What does that look like though, beyond local or international groups seizing U.S. military installations in the name of a new supranational right?
I enjoyed reading this today on what is the 150th Anniversary of the Paris Commune. Certainly an interesting topic to pose to the left for internal debate. Over the last few years my support has drifted the opposite direction, away from the nation-state and towards more community or local control over policy. But, no doubt planetary issues will require something more than what can be achieved at the grassroots level.
As always, comments will be open for two weeks so if you have questions for Daniel please submit them during that window. Thanks!
Could you expand on the idea of repurposing the US empire for climate/noble causes? Frankly I was surprised to see this because of your previous commentary I’ve heard about the breakdown of US empire and the ways the perpetuation of empire has contributed to issues like climate breakdown. When liberal/left talk politicians about America taking “climate leadership” that is what they’re referring to though so it is an important question to consider.
Also, how you define US empire? Is it limited to America’s military/formal state power or do you include the international institutions where the US has significant clout/contributes large amounts of funding? I think I buy into the argument more when using the latter definition, but curious either way!
Thanks for reading and commenting! Basically, the purpose of the piece was to raise the idea of planetary institutions while putting this notion in dialogue with the actually-existing structures that a governing left might one day control. How, or, more crucially, if, a governing the left can repurpose structures of empire to positive ends remains very much unknown. I define empire capaciously: it includes formal and informal institutions, as well as former and informal networks, both nationally and internationally situated.
What if entryism, but on the US EMPIRE?
Imagine the possibilities with a US military transformed into a constructive force to address such issues. All that technology, logistical infrastructure, operational expertise, turned toward benefiting rather than destroying humanity and the planet. The amount we could do is almost unimaginable.
"More democratic at the international level". Yeah, I guess that'd be the only way to go about it. Using the American Empire in such a way as for it to be neither America as such nor an empire. What does that look like though, beyond local or international groups seizing U.S. military installations in the name of a new supranational right?
I enjoyed reading this today on what is the 150th Anniversary of the Paris Commune. Certainly an interesting topic to pose to the left for internal debate. Over the last few years my support has drifted the opposite direction, away from the nation-state and towards more community or local control over policy. But, no doubt planetary issues will require something more than what can be achieved at the grassroots level.
The last question is really the most important one, and the one we need to be thinking about.