Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2000 17:55:15 -0600
To: marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: Saul Thomas <stthomas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: U.S. China Policy: Freud + Santa Claus
This is from an article ("An Exchange") by James Peck which appeared
in vol 2 (1970) issue 3 of the Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars.
Part of the article describes three approaches to understanding and
dealing with China and other Third World countries undertaken by
U.S. scholars and policy makers: "containment", "nation building",
and the "totalitarian" approach. What follows is Peck's description
of the "nation building" approach.
-------------------------
The reverse side of the containment policy was the "total
penetration" approach to foreign affairs, "diplomacy in depth."
Assist the elites of "underdeveloped" countries to "modernize" their
societies, demand "reforms" that undercut the appeal of
revolutionaries, and link such nations with the "international
community." Then revolutionary solutions and "communists" will lose
their appeal. It was, in essence, the Freud plus Santa Claus concept
of foreign relations. Persuade countries that underdevelopment was
sui generis to the society instead of part of a world system which
sustains it or an immediate American presence which reinforces it.
And then portray a benevolent, gift-giving U.S. bestowing technical
assistance for the benefit of others. (pp.60-61)