Since the early years of my schooling I was taught that the US was a beacon of freedom and democracy in this world.
The original mission statement for the Department of State was that it was to promote democracy and human rights….I believe that mission statement has been changed in the last few months.
The high moral ideal that democracy promotes peace is being challenged these days.
This is an article from Switzerland…..
Switzerland is not only a peaceful, democratic country, it is also – as stated in its constitution – committed to democracy and the peaceful “coexistence of peoples” worldwide. The extent to which democracy and peace are linked from a Swiss perspective is demonstrated by the fact that the promotion of democracy is the responsibility of the “Peace and Human Rights” department in the foreign ministry.
The perspective that democratisation brings peace has also had an impact internationally since 1945. Since the Second World War, the number of interstate wars has decreased and the number of democratic states has increased.
In 2024, there were once again more autocratic states than democratic ones. And liberal democracies, which respect the rights and freedoms of the individual, have even become a rare form of government. Only 900 million people live in a liberal democracy. In contrast, 72% of the world’s population live in a dictatorship. This is the highest number since 1978. At the same time, Western countries, above all the US, are scaling back their promotion of democracy abroad.
Are these developments linked to the many conflicts that exist around the world?
In addition to peace, prosperity in particular has long been a promise of democratisation, political scientist Karina Mross told Swissinfo. “But the example of China has undermined this argument. Especially since China is trying to define its own form of democracy,” she said.
A few years ago, China presented an argument as to why dictatorship is “a democracy that works”External link. Authoritarian states are trying – also in international organisations – to counter the liberal order with their own alternative model of values and prosperity.
If the economic argument is dropped, the question arises as to whether democratisation is at least a guarantee for peace.
In recent years I have not seen the promise of democracy brings with it a peaceful world.
Has anyone else had this vision?
What makes anyone think that a country that spends a trillion dollars on war prep is working for a more peaceful world?
Indicators point o a problem….
In 2024, the number of state-based conflicts worldwide reached its highest level since 1946. Military expenditures have risen for 10 consecutive years, surpassing $2.7 trillion annually.
A record number of children have been victims of armed conflict, and gains in women’s rights hang in the balance around the world amid record levels of conflict.
The world is confronting converging crises. In September 2024, the United Nations convened the Summit for the Future, an initiative by the UN secretary-general aimed at addressing the collapse of the post-Cold War multilateral system, as well as the increasing number of conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. All of this is occurring in the climate change era.
The world does not need more wars….even our once proud nation has been slowly drifting away from being a safe place….
Global Peace Index (GPI), released annually by the Institute for Economics & Peace, provides a look at the country’s overall safety and security—and it’s concerning. The Index rates more than 160 nations on factors like crime, conflict, and military spending. In the most recent report, the United States ranks near the bottom.
The 2025 results officially place the U.S. among the least peaceful countries in the world. Here’s more insight into why America’s score is so low and how it compares with other nations.
https://www.thetravel.com/study-shows-us-one-of-least-peaceful-countries-in-the-world/
How sad is that? But not to worry it will make america great again, right?
Just wondering.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
I doubt whether a Country that promotes conflict in so many places will ever enjoy internal peace. Especially if it gives over leadership to a fascist with an ego the size of Texas.
Excellent points…..we can do better but do we really want to? chuq
You’ve raised a very thoughtful set of points, and they highlight a deep tension in today’s world between ideals and realities. A reasonable and rational way to look at this is to separate the principle of democracy from the practice of geopolitics.
Democracy’s promise vs. reality.
Historically, there’s evidence that countries with strong democratic institutions tend to avoid wars with one another (“the democratic peace theory”). But this doesn’t mean democracies are automatically peaceful—many democracies, including the U.S., have engaged in wars abroad. The principle is that democratic systems provide checks on leaders and create incentives for negotiation. In practice, however, economic interests, security concerns, and power politics often override these ideals.
The U.S. as a beacon of democracy.
The U.S. has indeed long promoted itself as a model of freedom and democracy, and it has supported democratic movements abroad. But at the same time, its vast military spending—over $1 trillion if you include related costs—signals a different priority: maintaining global power and deterrence. To outsiders, this can look contradictory: a nation preaching peace while preparing extensively for war.
The global shift toward authoritarianism.
The statistics you cite are sobering: more autocratic states than democratic ones, with 72% of the world’s population living under dictatorships. This shift undermines the assumption that democracy was steadily spreading after the Cold War. Economic success stories like China also weaken the argument that democracy automatically delivers prosperity.
Peace is about more than political systems.
Conflict often arises from poverty, inequality, resource scarcity, climate pressures, and ethnic or religious tensions. While democracy can create mechanisms to resolve disputes peacefully, it doesn’t eliminate these underlying stressors. Without addressing those root causes, neither democracy nor authoritarianism guarantees peace.
America’s declining peace ranking.
The Global Peace Index placing the U.S. low is an indicator of both internal and external factors: high incarceration rates, gun violence, political polarization, and foreign military engagement. For many, this feels like a betrayal of the “beacon of freedom” ideal they were raised to believe in.
A rational takeaway.
Democracy is still worth striving for—it allows freedom of speech, accountability, and individual rights in ways authoritarianism does not. But democracy alone is not a magic formula for peace. If nations, including the U.S., want to be serious about peace, they must pair democratic ideals with real investment in diplomacy, conflict prevention, climate resilience, and global cooperation—not just military power.
So, when you ask, “What makes anyone think a country spending a trillion on war prep is working for peace?”—the honest answer is: military strength has been seen as a guarantee of security, but it does not create peace by itself. Peace requires active building—trust, fairness, justice, and dialogue. Without that, even democracies will struggle to live up to their promise.
Of course I am not a politician so all I can offer is a few observations, a little experience, some educated guesses and a few personal opinions… which is what I have striven to do with this comment.
Peace Out,
John
Thanx for sharing your views…..chuq
America has not sought any world peace since the end of WW2 in 1945. It has only sought to extend American influence to all corners of the world, in the modern version of the British or Roman empires. And that trend continues under Trump.
Best wishes, Pete.
You do enjoy bitch-slapping us, don’t you, Pete? When was the last time you won a war without our help?
I don’t consider it bitch-slapping, GP. It’s just a statment of fact. The US, along with many other countries, have been expanding their military and financial influences since 1945; either by invasions, sanctions, or siding with one faction or the other. I feel the same way about all of those those countries, and I am not singling out the US. To answer your question, I suppose the Falklands War counts, though that was not much of a war as wars go, only 74 days.
Best wishes, Pete.
Then maybe we should pull out of NATO and leave Europe and let all those smaller countries fend for themselves against Russia, China and NK?
And we know the fate of the Romans chuq