By: David Conde
The dissolution of the Soviet Union (1988-1991) left the United States as the sole superpower with all of its advantages and responsibilities of a world in transition. The lines of demarcation established by these powers began to disappear as well as the competition for the hearts and minds of the third world. For most, it was about an American victory over a foe that had been the adversary of democracy for almost a century. Yet, hidden in plain sight was the fact that the Soviet Union’s fall was from within.
The United States did not defeat the Soviet Union in some great battle or war. It was the latter’s leadership that read its last will and testament before dissolving the country and leaving the member states to fend for themselves.
As the United States began its life as the sole superpow- er, a new kind of war, terrorism, matured to take the place of a dead enemy. The same year that the Soviet Union ceased to exist (1991) the United States and its allies launched the Gulf War to take back Kuwait from Saddam Hussein. The Gulf War and its aftermath, the invasion of Iraq 12 years later marked the last time that a conventional war was conducted to solve a geopolitical problem. Even then, state sponsored terrorism was the excuse that led to the invasion and occupation of the country.
The 21st Century brought with it 9/11, wars in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Great Recession and a slow realization that we were projecting our power in the wrong part of the world. Like the saying states: “If India and China is not in your present, you have no future.”
The greatest challenge to America however, is Americans. The fact that the Soviet Union fell from within should be the strongest lesson as to what could happen to the United States.
President Abraham Lincoln wisely chose to first preserve the union when the Confederacy decided to go its own way. Everything else became a secondary consideration.This is the challenge we face today in this country. The population is changing and that change is causing the emergence of a strong interest in reinventing America. I do not believe that there are major issues with the notion of reinvention. The nation has reinvented itself numerous times as you would expect of a country built and heavily influenced by immigration.
Up into the middle of the 20th Century however, immigrants were largely from Europe coming through Ellis Island into New York and then westward. In the cities, they became the urban poor with little political power. It is in the vast lands of the west that these immigrants made their mark. Many times fleeing oppression the immigrants embraced democracy and added hard work to their realization as Americans. Though not from Europe, the immigration process has continued unabated. The difference is that these are Americans from the Western Hemisphere coming to America. Mostly Latinos, the immigrants bring with them the same zeal for democratic ideals and the same work ethic that built the country. They are joined by others that share their heritage, values and desires for an inclusive America.
Democracy is a fragile political condition that requires unending work to be successful because the will of the people is always so diverse. Yet consensus achieves the blessings of liberty, freedom and prosperity.
That is the challenge of our day. It requires for a people to seek unity in the face of tyranny.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of La Voz Bilingüe. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
