The Arsenal of Democracy Dismantled

In December 2024 I explained how America had been the "arsenal of democracy" and considered whether it would continue. Now I fear we have our answer.

https://www.farmersfriendlincs.com/post/how-will-president-trump-view-the-arsenal-of-democracy

In 1918 Herbert S. Houston, an American journalist and businessman wrote a small book entitled “Blocking All Wars”.  In this he wrote arguing for a League of Nations to form to police nations and described how America could participate as “the arsenal of democracy.” He argued for the power of embargo’s and in his argument stated that an embargo of Austria could have brought them and Serbia to a tribunal that would have prevented the First World War.

In the American “arsenal of democracy” were key weapons that protected democracy, amongst them: business and economic power; a free American Press; and the military strength primarily to enforce embargos to force dialogue of offending countries. He favoured the idea that business nurtured a peaceful and stable environment connecting people and preventing disagreement and war.

However we now have an American press that is no longer free, businesses that have greater power than democratic nations and American military forces being misused with huge questions about the motivation of their Commander in Chief and his cronies.

Americans need to consider what they wish their identity to mean. However, I do not blame the American people for how this has come about. The clear popularity of Trump has been caused by successive administrations following Liberal ideals whilst consistently leaving lower class people behind and forgotten. When you're not receiving the full benefit of a free and fair society the appeal of a false prophet is strong. Thus, here we are.