On Quizzes, Grand Strategy and Tigers
I never met a Pat Wong quiz I ever liked. But I'll be damned if I ever gave up on one... I guess that makes me an intellectual masochist (I spent 7 hours on this quiz) when I could have called it quits whenever I wanted to and turned in a crappy answer knowing full well that I'll stay within one SD of the mean (OH GOD STOP THE STATISTICS)...
The fact that I left the library with some sense of confidence today probably means I failed abysmally again. Luckily, Pat Wong don't care if you fail, as long as his peculiar non-traditional assessment of your skills outside of the standard grading regime finds you suitable.
We talked Grand Strategy in Inman's class today. He asserts that we don't have one, and as the state of strategic thinking stands, there won't be one. We all agree that positive engagement with the world using both soft and hard power and a focus on stability are in America's interests. I did some thinking after class (and before the quiz), and concluded, if there is to be a new grand strategy for the US, it should be one of Responsible Partnership: namely, that the United States return to a fundamental respect for the rule of international law, and work as a partner who fulfills its obligations to its allies while respecting the same in return. It is in America's best interest to have friends, no matter how exceptional you think we are. The Bush administration has demonstrated amply how to squander America's reputation in the world. Lets hope the Obama administration will recoup it.
Also, I blame my fellow Wongian quiztakers for getting Eye of the Tiger stuck in my head... Damnit.
The fact that I left the library with some sense of confidence today probably means I failed abysmally again. Luckily, Pat Wong don't care if you fail, as long as his peculiar non-traditional assessment of your skills outside of the standard grading regime finds you suitable.
We talked Grand Strategy in Inman's class today. He asserts that we don't have one, and as the state of strategic thinking stands, there won't be one. We all agree that positive engagement with the world using both soft and hard power and a focus on stability are in America's interests. I did some thinking after class (and before the quiz), and concluded, if there is to be a new grand strategy for the US, it should be one of Responsible Partnership: namely, that the United States return to a fundamental respect for the rule of international law, and work as a partner who fulfills its obligations to its allies while respecting the same in return. It is in America's best interest to have friends, no matter how exceptional you think we are. The Bush administration has demonstrated amply how to squander America's reputation in the world. Lets hope the Obama administration will recoup it.
Also, I blame my fellow Wongian quiztakers for getting Eye of the Tiger stuck in my head... Damnit.