Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Along the Foreign-Domestic Frontier
It is a common myth among Americans that a wall seperates domestic issues from foreign issues, and that somehow never the twain shall meet.
But foreign governments seek to influence domestic politics all the time (in what one writer has termed the US as "penetrated hegemon"). For example, Saudi Arabia has spent "$17.6 million" on lobbyists since 9/11 in an effort to improve its image after we learned that the hijackers were Saudi citizens.
Now comes an effort (thanks to Shark Daddy) from the "Guardian."
The "Guardian" has come up with a set of ideals on how its readers (and any of the other maligned Europeans) can have a subtle impact on the presidential election. They have coupled their readers with independent voters in Clark County, Ohio (which Gore barely won) in an effort for these readers to convince the independents to vote, and in all probability, to vote for Kerry.
They have also provided the contact information for the major papers in the County and have asked its readers to write letters to the editor. Further, they have provided a list of organizations that are working to mobilize voters, and encouraging them to give money to these organizations.
To the "Guardian," they see that what happens in the Presidential Election as having an impact upon British citizens, and in more general terms, the citizens of the world. And are looking for ways to make a difference.
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But foreign governments seek to influence domestic politics all the time (in what one writer has termed the US as "penetrated hegemon"). For example, Saudi Arabia has spent "$17.6 million" on lobbyists since 9/11 in an effort to improve its image after we learned that the hijackers were Saudi citizens.
Now comes an effort (thanks to Shark Daddy) from the "Guardian."
The "Guardian" has come up with a set of ideals on how its readers (and any of the other maligned Europeans) can have a subtle impact on the presidential election. They have coupled their readers with independent voters in Clark County, Ohio (which Gore barely won) in an effort for these readers to convince the independents to vote, and in all probability, to vote for Kerry.
They have also provided the contact information for the major papers in the County and have asked its readers to write letters to the editor. Further, they have provided a list of organizations that are working to mobilize voters, and encouraging them to give money to these organizations.
To the "Guardian," they see that what happens in the Presidential Election as having an impact upon British citizens, and in more general terms, the citizens of the world. And are looking for ways to make a difference.
