One of the great tragedies of the closing part of the twentieth century is the current
conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Throughout his administration, President Bill
Clinton has periodically advocated U.S. intervention in Bosnia as a means to curtail
the fighting; he recently reaffirmed his support for such action. Given America's goal
of being a free and independent nation, such intervention is misguided and
illegitimate.
The Constitution grants to Congress the power to "provide for the common Defence of the United States " This statement provides insight into the proper function of the state: to protect the rights of those who have established it. It is quite difficult for one to argue that the current instability in the former Yugoslavia threatens the rights or safety of the American people. Thus, any action on the part of the U.S. military reaches beyond the proper and constitutionally delegated powers of the American government.
An obvious objection to American military involvement is that such campaigns often result in the loss of life. A more subtle criticism is that the participation in warfare generally leads to a loss of freedom. Indeed, many historians have shown that a dramatic increase in state power often accompanies and follows the military excursions of a nation. One may cite World War I as an example of this, for this conflict lead not only to increased defense capabilities, but to the increased taxation and central planning of the New Deal.
During the founding age of the United States, America tended to maintain its neutrality in foreign affairs. Remaining neutral in the face of international conflict was, and still is, vital to the maintenance of an independent, selfÐgoverning nation. By interfering in the conflicts of other nations, the United States may increase the number of defense obligations that is holds throughout the world. This not only may lead to future conflicts that call for U.S. involvement; it also places the American government in a situation of reaction, whereby it acts, to further its interests, in a responsive measure to foreign conflicts. Such a scenario is antithetical to independence, for the state of global affairs, rather than the American people, may dictate the action of the American government.
One may reasonably assert that when the U.S. government chooses sides in response to a foreign conflict, it does so with its own political or economic interests in mind. This type of action on the part of government is inappropriate at best. Quite frankly, by taking sides in an international dispute, the U.S. government is sacrificing the lives of others to further its own interests. This is entirely inconsistent with the American tradition of individual liberty.
While the event unfolding in Bosnia are indeed tragic, it does not follow that the U.S. government should become involved. Rather, the American government, even in the face of a foreign conflict, must retain its tradition of liberalism and peace.