Arrogance of power
I chose the essay on arrogance of power because I felt that this essay was an easier read. Some other reading options used words from such a different era that it made it difficult to understand the thoughts of the writer. This essay was interesting to me because it was written with thoughtful reflections that provided the same ìbigger pictureî perspective in writing that the author experienced.
In his essay about the arrogance of power, Senator Fulbrightís purpose is to bring to light the impact more developed and greater nations have on the more undeveloped nations. He uses South Vietnam as the example of his day on how the United States had a negative impact in spite of the intentions (Fulbright). Fulbright goes on to explain the dichotomy of strength and power in some nations and the weaknesses of others.
Fulbright identifies the resentment the South Vietnamese people had in reaction to witnessing the power and strength the United States displayed in South Vietnam. It was a reminder of their weakness against the North (Fulbright). The United States had a mission that did not seem to include consideration for fostering nationalism or a sense of growing power or ownership by the South Vietnamese (Fulbright). In his opening paragraph, Fulbrightís focal thoughts on the arrogance of power are reflected in his statement, ìÖthe tendency of great nations to equate power with virtue and major responsibilities with a universal mission.î Fulbrightís statement – as well as the rest of his essay – insinuates the missions of great nations do not consider the social impact on weaker nations.
In my opinion, this essay flowed and supported his initial claims in the opening paragraph. Fulbright separates the minor points in a way that gives the reader a chance to mentally separate these points and contemplate their relation to other points more distinctly. The style of the essay is effective in conveying the thoughts of the topic to the reader and incites continued contemplation of the information. Fulbright does a great job of drawing the reader in beginning with his choice in title and continuing with the opening paragraph. In the opening paragraph he gives a broad, but enticing, statement that reflects the ideas of great nations, weaker nations, and the relevance to what he goes on to describe as the ìarrogance of powerî (Fulbright).
Works Cited
Fulbright, William J. ìOn the Arrogance of Power, 1966.î Department of Physics: University3 of Washington Online. n.d. Web. 11 May 2012. Retrieved from http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/fulbright.html
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