The Antient and Honourable
John Adams Society
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Resolved: America is better feared than loved.
The Debate will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2002 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 431-0888 or the Secretary at (612) 822-8941.
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November 21, 2002
University Club, Saint Paul
The bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures that they are, break when it is to their advantage to do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective.
-Machiavelli, The Prince
Fear of America is the beginning of wisdom. If our enemies feared us, would they attack us at home and abroad? Would immigrants create hostile enclaves within our borders? Would foreign students flaunt their disdain for our values? Would so-called allies, like Mexico, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, cavalierly thwart our purposes? Our enemies' contempt feeds the contempt of those Americans who resent our strength and liberty, and who argue that the nation-state (in our case, at least) is an unworthy object of allegiance. They should fear us too. We owe it to those who come after to leave them an America that has the guts to protect itself.
A suave and tolerant superiority is ineffective for dealing with spoiled children. We have various instruments with which to punish America's foes: ridicule, ostracism, dismissal from jobs, boycotts, expulsion from universities, armed self-defense, prosecution, deportation, economic and diplomatic sanctions, and crushing military humiliation, to name a few. Let's not be afraid to use them. We should collect tribute, rather than hand out foreign aid.
On the other hand, fear breeds desperation. A humble, cooperative posture on the part of America, however hypocritical, will assuage the resentments of our critics, and will eventually permit them to understand that we seek liberty and justice for all, not power. We have often been viewed as heroically generous by those we have helped. When our enemies understand the manly sense of fairness that motivates us, how can they not learn to love us? We should give love a chance, bear witness to our ultimate goal as a nation, then hammer them.
The Chairman, who is loved and feared both at home and abroad, has called for a debate to settle the question: