Arguing that the United States is not destined to decline, a professor from Georgetown University came to campus Thursday to present his view on the nation’s foreign policy and future.
Robert Lieber, a professor of government and international relations at Georgetown University, focuses his studies on American foreign policy and U.S. relations. In his talk, Lieber argued the U.S. is not destined for decline, but that it is rather “a choice.”
Lieber said complaints about America have surfaced continuously.
“The American public is being uniquely ignorant of the world. No one listens to others’ advice, there is a significant and worrisome fret of the budget deficit and national debt, and there is an overall hesitation of the U.S.’s economic future and performance,” he said.
He said these interpretations seem to point to material factors like the economy, infrastructure and competition with China. These points, he said, are “more robust than acknowledged” when looked at closely.
With this, Lieber said those who complain about the state of the U.S. have ignored the fact that the nation has faced severe crisis in the past but has shown resilience and adaptability to capacitate innovation and renewal.
Madison Memorial High School student Kevin Cao attended the lecture and said he agreed with Lieber’s argument.
“Mr. Lieber makes valid points about fate versus choice and how we must raise questions on those who think America is declining,” Cao said.
Lieber also said that those who disagree should keep in mind that the U.S. has always been a provider of collective goods like nuclear non-proliferation, global freedom of seas, international prosperity and assisting with regional conflicts.
Andy Schnell, a founding member of the Alexander Hamilton Society at the University of Wisconsin, said Lieber’s points are significant to the world’s perception of the U.S.
“[His argument is] a great wake-up call because there is lots of pessimism around the world about the role the U.S. is playing, and his statements force people to think about our role positively,” Schnell said.
Lieber also said those who do not like the role the U.S. has “are cavalier about it” and that they do not see how having the U.S. pull back from a historic role in Europe or the Middle East is far more disorderly, less democratic and more dangerous to America’s own interest.
Lieber also frowned upon those who believe America is declining or overpowering their global role and instead said the country should continue to remain engaged, desirable and necessary to keep its role.
The areas the U.S. is not declining in include entrepreneurship, research universities, natural resources and resilience, Lieber said.
UW Director of Program Development & Organizational Transformation Scott Mobley responded to Lieber’s statements and said he had three major takeaways.
“There is great value of thoughtful and deliberate historical analysis, considering both objective and subjective, [which] introduces a measure of contingency in the historical equation that lacked in earlier studies and how it all comes down to power and will,” he said.
Ultimately, Lieber said if the country makes the “right choices” of continuing the nation’s global role and remaining a provider of collective goods, the U.S. is not destined to decline.
