
          Mission of America in the Post-Cold War World   

           Fred Schwengel, 33, GC, and Donald Kennon 
            President and Chief Historian Respectively 
                 U.S. Capitol Historical Society, 
              200 Maryland Ave., NE, Wash., DC 20002 


   "History Will Be The Judge." How often we hear that phrase! 
Yet those words have never been more appropriate in the context 
of world affairs than now. The events of the past five years have 
brought changes of such an unexpected and unpredictable nature, 
they almost defy comprehension. Certainly we are witnessing a new 
epoch in human history. 

   The forces of freedom and democracy sweeping through the world 
have torn down the Berlin Wall, destroyed the communist 
stranglehold on Eastern Europe, and broken up the Soviet Empire. 
Perhaps in no other period of time have we seen such a large-
scale extension of the domain of human freedom and self-
government. 

   American citizens should be satisfied by our country's example 
of democratic self-government. Its principles of freedom in 
religion, speech, and expression, and its generosity in sharing 
the blessings of liberty worldwide have helped motivate and 
channel the events taking place in Eastern Europe and the former 
Soviet Union. Recall, for example, when Czechoslovakian President 
Vaclav Havel spoke to a joint meeting of our Congress in 1990. He 
cited the writings of Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of 
Independence for their influence upon the events taking place in 
his country. 

    Despite these developments, some critics today continually 
remind us of how far short we, as a nation, have fallen from the 
ideals we espouse and others try to emulate. It is well to 
remember that, in spite of our shortcomings, the United States 
has always striven to be a beacon of liberty. In fact, the very 
concept of liberty has evolved and expanded considerably since 
the early days of our colonization. 

    The Bill of Rights to the Constitution, for instance, 
guaranteed religious liberty, and as a result religious diversity 
has flourished to the point that we now have over 350,000 places 
of worship of all denominations and sects in the United States. 
Over time the definition of our national mission changed from 
religious reformation to democratization, and this purpose has 
found expression in a number of ways. 

   The Monroe Doctrine, for example, sought to preserve a sphere 
of liberty by closing the western hemisphere to further European 
colonization and exploitation. Later, Abraham Lincoln saw the 
Civil War as necessary to preserve democracy and the Union which 
he firmly believed was "the last, best hope of mankind." 

   Then Woodrow Wilson argued that our role in World War I and 
his wish for our participation in the League of Nations were 
motivated out of an idealistic desire to make the world safe for 
democracy. 

   Still later, the United States led in founding the United 
Nations and supporting its peacekeeping, humanitarian roles. In 
numerous other ways, from private philanthropy to organized 
relief efforts, the people of our nation have carried the mission 
of America to the world. 

   During the Cold War it may have seemed that our sacrifices, 
human as well as economic, were simply aimed at containing the 
spread of communism. But thanks to a communications revolution, 
primarily pioneered by the United States, in satellite 
telecommunications and microwave transmissions, we have been able 
to plant the seeds of democracy worldwide. Our efforts through 
the Voice of America, the Peace Corps, the Agency of 
International Development, and the World Bank all help 
demonstrate the virtues of democracy, self-government, and free 
enterprise. 

    Lest we fall into the easy trap of self-congratulation, 
however, we must be aware that freedom and democracy are not 
panaceas for all the ills of the world. They offer no magic wand 
to remove the stains of decades of authoritarian rule or to cure 
the accumulated economic malaise of totalitarian economies. 

    Nor is the success of democracy assured in these countries. 
The specter of counterrevolution, charismatic dictators, ethnic 
tension, boundary disputes, religious differences, and 
nationalistic strife all threaten to undo the work of the current 
generation. Democracy is a fragile thing. We need to recall 
Jefferson's words, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." 

    Nor is the work of freedom and the mission of America 
completed at home. Large numbers of people continue to live under 
harsh conditions. Cultural, ethnic, and religious differences 
still divide  people, and economic inequalities prevent the full 
realization of freedom and equality. 

   Yet, as a result of the changes of the past five years, the 
United States has emerged as the acknowledged world leader. The 
burden of leadership is a heavy and humbling load, but it is not 
one we must carry alone. The valiant role of our Armed Forces in 
the Gulf War and the cooperation and initiative taken by the 
United Nations point the way to the future. 

   The outlines of the post-Cold War world are dim and difficult 
to perceive. Like democracy itself, the so-called "New World 
Order" proclaimed by President Bush will be a process of 
incessant effort. But, I predict we will see a day when the 
mission of America becomes the mission of the world!  

-----


Fred Schwengel has served in the Iowa legislature five terms and 
in the U.S. Congress eight terms. He is a member of the 
Davenport, IA, S.R. Bodies. During the past Biennial Session Bro 
Schwengel received the Scottish Rite's highest honor, the Grand 
Cross. Presently, he is the President of the U.S. Capitol 
Historical Society. 

