I’ll admit I don’t know everything about international politics, and I’ll admit I don’t know everything about the history of the United States exporting or supporting foreign democracy, but it seems to me like right now that is not the place we should focus our energy. Last night I was reading an old essay from Howard Zinn on the anniversary of his death, and it was about how dangerous the concept of nationalism has been in the 20^th century- especially in its manifestations within the United States. Zinn cited George Bush insinuating that God spoke through him and other things that have been done purely because we are brought up in the U.S. with the idea that our country is better, a special exception to the rest of the world. While exporting democracy is sometimes in the interest of the receiving country, as many times as not it is used as an excuse or a crutch for some other kind of mission- economic or otherwise. It’s not always patriotism, either- the people perpetuating the idea that democracy should be exported aren’t necessarily in love with America any more than they are in love with themselves. It’s complicated. Or maybe I’m just making it complicated.

Secretary of State Clinton put forth her opinion on this this weekend, which makes sense as it is the 4^th of July weekend. Reuters leads with this: “U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday a ‘steel vice’ is crushing groups that promote democracy and civil liberties around the world, and defended U.S. government funding for them.”

She praised Poland’s journey from Soviet rule to a currently strong democracy, and pointed at countries like Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Zimbabwe where NGO’s are either not allowed or experience constant harassment.

"More than 60 years ago, Winston Churchill came to the United States to warn the world's democracies of an iron curtain descending across Europe. Today, thankfully ... that iron curtain has fallen. But we must be wary of the steel vice in which governments around the world are slowly crushing civil society and the human spirit.”

Wait, is that really happening? Is there a steel vice crushing the human spirit? There’s definitely a steel vice crushing the world’s finances…

But I see Clinton’s point. She went on to propose an independent monitoring of NGO’s around the world that would coordinate diplomatic pressure to keep them protected. She announced that the U.S. would be creating a fund for this purpose, beginning with $2 million dollars. What? Is it just me, or does $2 million for a program that is supposed to monitor and support NGO’s around the world is absolutely ridiculous? What can you do with $2 million? And where is that coming from, anyway? Why are we giving money to anyone besides the Gulf coast folks right now, or the people who lost their jobs over the last two years. Ms. Clinton, your cause is just, but your token gesture of money seems like throwing away millions that could do very real, very tangible good elsewhere.

Photo Credit: SEIU