The Memo You Didn't Get - George Kennan On The Nature Of American Power

[hatrack]

"We have 50 percent of the world's wealth, but only 6.3% of its population. In this situation, our real job in the coming period is to devise a pattern of relationships which permit us to maintain this position of disparity. To do so, we have to dispense with all sentimentality . . . we should cease thinking about human rights, the raising of living standards and democratization."

George Kennan, US State Department Policy Planning Study #23, 1948.

[mandyky]

1. Was he a member of the GOP?

Is this the plan we are following?

[QC]

2. Kennan was a Democrat. n/t

[hatrack]

3. I don't know his political ties- most important work done under Truman

He was the guy (and you probably already know this) who came up with the policy of containment as the Cold War got under way. He also wrote "The Sources Of Soviet Conduct" as "X", which is probably the most influential paper by any diplomat since Talleyrand.

Sorry if I'm sounding pedantic - once a teacher, always a teacher. :toast:

[mandyky]

5. No problem about teaching

I like learning new things! :)

I had never heard of the guy, so I'll have to read up on him. Feel free to share more about him and any resources about him. :)

[reprehensor]

4. Empire is a bi-partisan problem. n/t