The Bipartisan Character Of American Empire And Imperialism

Both Senate Democrats and hawkish Republicans lined up to support Obama’s recent sending of military personnel to Iraq. They are allegedly there only in an advisory capacity, but those of us who know something about how the Vietnam War started have reason for doubt. This support for a supposedly strictly advisory military mission is no surprise. The bipartisan character of the American mission of imperialism and empire has long been noted by leftists and libertarians alike. Those of us who are both radically libertarian and radically leftist are even more aware of said phenomenon.

This convergence between the two major party establishments is illustrated by the fact that both have launched covert operations and major wars. A few of the wars that a Democratic President got the U.S. into are WW1, WW2, and the the Korean War. Not to mention the role played by both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson in continuing the Vietnam war. Democratic President, Harry S. Truman, also helped fund the French colonizers in their attempt to retake Indochina after WW2.

On the Republican side of the ledger, a few notable instances of militarist adventures include Dwight D. Eisenhower’s establishment of Military Assistance Advisory Group, expansion of the war in Indochina via the bombing of Cambodia by Richard Nixon, Bush the younger’s invasion of Iraq, and Bush the senior’s Gulf War 1.

Covert operationswise, Democratic Party administrations have engaged in support for the Baath Party 1963 coup under John F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s war against Cuba, and covert “dirty wars” waged by Barack H. Obama in several countries. The Republican “achievements” in this respect include the 1953 coup that installed the Shah in Iran under Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 1954 overthrowing of the Guatemalan government, and covert dirty wars in various counties under George W. Bush.

As this brief overview shows, both sides of the two party establishment clearly participate in imperialist activity. The blood is on both the hands of the Democratic Party and Republican Party. An effectual anti-imperialist movement will preferably target both of them for protest. Of all the features of the modern state or government, this ability for imperial war is worth disrupting and destroying. The lives of many are dependent on the success of such a project. It’s time for radical left-libertarian market anarchists to do their part in pushing back the crimson tides of imperialist conquest. Let’s get started! And do a hell of a job.