After World War II and the destruction caused in Europe, America stepped in as the primary provider of economic and defense aid to Europe. Justification was played to the American public by claiming a secure and economically developed Europe would open primary market opportunities for American goods. Helping Europe also meant preventing the spread of Soviet influence, which was seen as an existential threat to the U.S. during this period.
Our world today is far changed from that of an immediate post-war period, and Americans are increasingly turning to dislike ongoing American commitments to European defense. Nearly a third of the U.S. public wants to sever ties with NATO, even after the invasion of Ukraine. The bipolar balance between the U.S. and the Soviet Union has decayed and given way to China as a larger threat, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the fear of the spread of communism has largely fallen out of interest. While Russia is a threat to Europe, the internal threat of communism is now out of the picture. Americans are seeing Russia as an increasingly regional nuisance.
The Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe’s economy was largely successful, and Europe now has more than enough to protect itself from existential threats. Many Americans ask why the U.S. must continue to engage in forever pacts without means of an end, especially when aid-recipient nations like Italy fail to contribute their meager 2% defense spending.
With post-war economic success, Europe now serves as an economic opponent to the U.S. With the absence of an economic motive for support, a reduced perceived threat to U.S. interests, and overall expired American interest in European defense spending, it is likely that domestic support for U.S. involvement in defense treaties will continue to decrease.
Bennett Winegar, Salt Lake City
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