An American opinion columnist I actually agree with..

[mrph]

Yes, yet another column about ABM treaties and the War on Terror. But I quite like this one. There's a lot to be said for enlightened self interest.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57402-2001Dec17.html

Comments

[mhw.livejournal.com]

There's also a lot to be said against it, particularly when a person (or group) actually thinks that they're acting out of ESI; they tend to overestimate their enlightenment and underestimate their self-interest.

That's really the reason, I think, for a significant response among the Americans with whom I've talked: "How could they do this to us, when we're such nice people and we've never hurt anyone?". They really do believe in the ultimate benevolence of their state and their state's activities, and are prepared to countenance any means - no matter how appalling - to reach their good end. As my grandmother used to say: the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And, alas, it's all too much easier to tread that path when you're wearing heaven-tinted spectacles.