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by chongli 972 days ago
No, it’s not like a cheating partner. The United States is a country. It’s not a single person. It can’t be hypocritical the way a person can.

Different people get elected and are in charge of the US at different times. This is why a country like the US doesn’t behave consistently the way a person does. Judging countries as though they were people is committing the fallacy of composition.

2 comments

One decisionmaker within the country can still see what others have done, and act as-if-one.

Eg. the statement could have said:

"We have realised that some actions we have taken with weapons have promoted regional instability, but to prevent others making the same mistake as us, we won't export weapons to other countries."

This is very insightful. Still, there are central policies and various mechanisms by which people have to obey them.

Do you have an email address where I could ask your opinion about something privately? (Or could you email me at mine, it is listed in my profile.)

Thanks.