Analysis Of Senator Fulbright's Arrogance Of Power

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The simple argument that nothing last forever is not always true. There are a few aspects throughout history that are timeless such as a diamond’s reflection of love and (the pleasure of popping bubble wrap) (the sun rising in the East and setting in the West) (hand written letters). When Senator Fulbright wrote Arrogance of Power, he established a fundamentally timeless argument that could be used for any direct action foreign policy decision. While his goal was the reduction of intervention in the United States involvement in Vietnam, he created a blueprint for the hands-off approach in the development of a less dominant country for not only the Unites States and Vietnam but to any major power’s intervention in another country’s affairs. …show more content…

However, he focuses his essay on the logos, logical argument, and pathos, emotional plea, styles. In a pathos appeal, Fulbright wrote “We are still acting like boy scouts dragging reluctant old ladies across streets they do not want to cross”. This argument establishes a visceral retort to the reader’s potential bias from his attempt to alter their original belief. Senator Fulbright had an uphill battle he faced in persuading people to embrace his beliefs. In using a pathos appeal, especially one that is so uniquely American, he created a disarming blow to put the reader off balance to look at his ideas and remove their own bias. He creates the comparison that the United States wants to be the helpful boy looking for that elderly lady who does not want any help at all. Thus, the boy feels he is completing a great benefit but is forcing his help on someone who has no desire for it. This same argument could be used outside the original essay and be used toward the United States actions in the Cuban revolution or Libyan independence. The United States became involved in both sovereign country’s problems forcing the belief that they needed our help as the United States believed it was needed in …show more content…

This logical argument follows the stance that by providing a grand example of what a country and culture can look like, the United States will invoke that desire in others that want it. He argues that by providing this example, it would create improved relationships with countries and cultures, first world to third world. He finalizes his essay with a quote from John Quincy Adams “be ‘the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all’ but ‘the champion and vindicator only of her own.’…” (qtd. in Fulbright). In this quote, Senator Fulbright completes his essay arguing that the United States should become a cheerleader for other countries freedom but only providing direct action to her own future. This concept transcends the Vietnam War with the ability to incorporate the same quote as it relates to another country’s response to the Yugoslavian civil war or the 1991 Haitian

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