In many other people’s minds, too, there is the unspoken assumption that what the United States does in Iraq is a fully determined action, whereas what other people do is simply a consequence of that action, with no independent or autonomous “agency” of its own.
And:
The habit of viewing Iraq as a crisis that only began in 2003â€â€a lazy habit that is conditioned by the needs of the impending 2008 electionâ€â€is an obstacle to understanding. Everybody has their own favorite alternative scenario of how things might have evolved differently or better. In some weak moments, I can picture taking the alternative advice from the European Union and the United Nations in 2003â€â€let’s just see how Iraq develops if left alone as a private fiefdom of the Saddam Hussein dynastyâ€â€and only then deciding that things have deteriorated to the point where an international intervention is necessitated. That would have been much less upsetting and demanding than the direct assumption of responsibility, and could have been triggered by the more familiar images of unbearable suffering and carnage, and could have summoned the Darfur-like emotions of guilt and shame, but it would perforce have been begun very much laterâ€â€and perhaps too late altogether.
So, we live in what would be a happily post-historical society, if it weren’t for America’s dreadful anti-quietist habit of triggering more history. And really, it’s so annoying, when academics have to consider what is actually happening, rather than constructing elaborate monuments to the fancy of the unbound intellect over sherry and Triscuits and rich, mild gouda and veggie plates with dill dip.
Bastards.
Related: Can There Be a Liberal Iraq?
In strong momements, does he wish this had been done competently? Like, without spilling our drinks?
No, he seems to be arguing quite the opposite:
What exactly is a “competently” fought war? Do you have an example of one that we can compare this to?
I never could figure out some people’s obsession with this “end of history” notion. Historians especially should be leery of having their jobs become redundant.
I grew up right at the “end of history” and I can say with great confidence that history isn’t going to be ending any time soon. My teachers in High School acted like there was nothing left but turning off the lights on the way out. While I asked about things like China and the Middle East they acted like the only remaining conflict was that pesky Joo Problem in Palestine.
Morons.
I figure this conflict with Radical Islam will continue for another half-century which is not long considering its been fought hot and cold for half a millenia.
And would history be over then? Nah. There’s always China to deal with. And if we ever fix all the problems on Earth that’s when the aliens land.
That’s fine with me. Conflict breeds character and advancement.