After reading the
articles for Friday’s lecture, I do not think it is drones themselves that are
threatening the United States’ democracy. I believe that it is the changes in
politics implemented by The Obama Administration and Congress that are undermining
democracy. In the article, “Do Drones Undermine Democracy?” Peter Singer
discusses how drone technology removes the last political barriers to war since
there is no longer the fear of losing voter support from the loss of U.S.
citizens’ lives in war. Singer believes that drones are “short-circuiting the
decision-making process for what used to be the most important choice a
democracy could make.” I do not think the drone technology itself is to blame
for these changes. Instead, I believe that Congress is choosing to ignore the
Obama Administration’s rapid increase in use of drones. The changes in policy
since 9/11 and the passive behavior of Congress gave the President more
authority to make decisions in the War on Terrorism. Since the President is
able to do as he pleases, the people brave enough to criticize drones are
hidden from the American public and denied entry to the United States on
multiple occasions.
As a result of the
lack of criticisms exposed in the mainstream media, the majority of Americans
are not well informed on the negative effects of drone warfare. The President
is able to do as he chooses, using the American tax dollar to wreck terror on
countries such as Pakistan with opposition only from select critics. It shocks
and disgusts me that Congress has never even debated this issue during its past
seven years of use in war. Instead, Congress has given the President absolute
control over warfare decisions without any disagreement on his newfound passion
to use drone warfare. The article by The Atlantic discusses how drones are
still putting real people in harm’s way. Even if they are not actually working
on the ground to attack the enemy, there are individuals working at a launch
site nearby that are in danger of attack. There is also the possibility of
negative psychological effects such as Post-traumatic stress disorder. War is
war, no matter how you are fighting it. There will always be negative effects
that can only be avoided through peace. I can understand how the use of drones
can offer the United States a temporary military advantage for the War on
Terror. However, it is undemocratic to not allow both advocates and critics
sides of drone warfare to be heard by the American public. Politics itself, not
the use of drone technology, is undermining the democracy of the United States.
Good point. I wonder what you think the 'answer' to this problem might be?
ReplyDeleteSadly to say, I really don't see an end to this problem. You said it yourself, war is war. And further, war is inevitable. As technology advances, so will fighting. I think it's important that citizens become more aware of the negative effects, but not to shy away from any potential progress that has been made.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if there is an answer. The United States will continue to use drone warfare, even if it could negatively impact relations with other countries. Awareness on the issue must be raised or Congress will do nothing to prevent the President from doing as he pleases.
ReplyDeleteAs the United States continues to use drones as a tool for warfare, Congress needs to regain some control over the decision-making process. It is understood that war and the advancement of technology is inevitable, but no President should have the sole power of drone warfare decisions. The whole purpose of checks and balances is to make sure no one person has all of the power.
ReplyDelete