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The platforms of Kucinich and Paul for the upcoming presidential election must be explicit about how foreign policy and cultural sharing are important to the U.S. They must provide voters with a plan of how to make the damaged U.S. facade better.
"I dread our own power and our own ambition; I dread our being too much dreaded…we may say that we shall not abuse this astonishing and hitherto unheard-of-power. But every other nation will think we shall abuse it. It is impossible but that, sooner or later, this state of things must produce a combination against us which may end in our ruin." Edmund Burke had fears about the British Empire when it first started to become as affluent as it did. Burke's fears can be applied to the state of affairs in the world today. Some control strongholds of power while others have very little. However some of those who have little power, value the importance of forging strong relations peacefully and diplomatically because of the fragile state of the world and its conflicts can demolish the good things in the world for which we all work. Being arrogant about abilities and not being humble about the importance of the connection the United States has to those around us may end in our ruin as the former Colonial British Empire ceased.
Two issues, cultural sharing and foreign policy, are critical elements in presidential platforms. Especially in times of war and conflict, foreign policy and cultural sharing become even more important to a nation's understanding of how a nominee might run their country. Ron Paul (Republican candidate, Texas) and Dennis Kucinich (Democratic candidate, Ohio), nominees for the presidential election of 2008 have interesting worldviews on cultural sharing and foreign policy.
Foreign policy is usually a set of goals or a particular plan on how a country will interact with other countries or nations. They protect a nation's interests, provide national security and some ideological goals as well as bring economic prosperity. These goals can either be executed peacefully or aggressively via diplomacy or war respectively, which affects a nation at all levels.
Cultural sharing is a unique concept that can be defined in many different ways. Groups with differing identities or cultures share their distinctive qualities with each other to provide an enriching learning experience. Sharing can provide a strong bond between differing cultures that may have once been aggressive toward each other or forge a greater peaceful exchange. On a large scale, presidential candidates and heads of government should be very mindful of cultural sharing because it can be of great profit to benefit from sharing or it can cause greater stratification between nations if neglected.
From Ron Paul's article on his website, he summarizes his position on foreign policy and cultural sharing:
"Under a Paul administration, the United States would trade freely with any
nation that seeks to engage with us. American citizens would be encouraged to
visit other countries and interact with other peoples rather than be told by their
own government that certain countries are off limits to them.
"American citizens would be allowed to spend their hard-earned money wherever
they wish across the globe, not told that certain countries are under embargo and
thus off limits. An American trade policy would encourage private American
businesses to seek partners overseas and engage them in trade. The hostility
toward American citizens overseas in the wake of our current foreign policy has
actually made it difficult if not dangerous for Americans to travel abroad.
"A Paul administration would see Americans engaged overseas like never before,
in business and cultural activities. But a Paul administration would never attempt
to export democracy or other values at the barrel of a gun, as we have seen over
and over again that this is a counterproductive approach that actually leads the
United States to be resented and more isolated in the world."
Dennis Kucinich also emphasizes peace and diplomacy over warfare. His campaign slogan is, "Strength Through Peace."
His platform has been described in one article that represents democratic ideals:
"If America is attacked by terrorists again, ‘we'd go after them, no question about
it,' Kucinich says. "Anyone who thinks because I'm working for peace I wouldn't
defend America is mistaken. But we'll also create a climate where no one will
want to attack us."
These positions have strong ties to current societal trends, though one might typically think that democratic and republican platforms would be different especially on a subject as critical as the conflict in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. Both Paul and Kucinich have a strong push for peaceful negotiations with foreign neighbors. Their websites tout the importance of the bond provided by cultural sharing for example and how it is not just that Americans cannot freely partake in the wonders of the rest of the world because the current administration has brought disgusted opinions upon the whole nation.
Paul, in his written responses to issues seems more ideological while Kucinich makes strong statements the seem to be motivated by the idea that the United States would need a strong head of government to handle the conflicts in the Middle East in relation to the United States. Both candidates' websites address all the issues the country is looking for (i.e. healthcare, economy, foreign policy, and other domestic affairs), however neither seems to present concrete plans for solving any of the problems they identify especially regarding foreign policy.
It will be crucial as the presidential elections get closer for all nominees and candidates to provide strong solutions or starting places for the United States to forge a better image and stronger bond to other nations. Foreign policy and cultural sharing are important factors that the candidates need to make known to the voting population because the election of 2008 is crucial in making headway with Middle Eastern, European, Asian, African, and South and North American nations. Now is the time to forge a bridge between the United States and the rest of the world because there are other menacing issues in the world that need addressed, but cannot until diplomacy takes the place of war.
Sources
http://www.ronpaulonline.com/content/view/219/127/
http://www.dennis4president.com/home/
http://www.andover.edu/ms2/cultural.htm
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