Prime Directive

[AuntKate]

Has the idea behind the Prime Directive influenced the world's foreign policy over the years? I'm not sure this will bear up under specific reactions today (Egypt vs. Libya, for example), but it seems to me that there is a growing trend toward non-interference in some situations or at least an acknowledgement of the fact that situations must evolve naturally. Comments?

 

[JoeFromEarth]

The US left its isolationist policy somewhere less than 100 years ago. Basically, if the society is large enough, we'll mess with it, either in trade if we like what they have (Europe, Japan, China), or with war if we don't like what they're doing (Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan). I guess "society is large enough" could also mean developed enough... Sort of like warp-capable societies in Star Trek.

When it comes to really primitive societies, like some tribes that are fewer than 100 in Brazil, we ignore them, let them develop naturally. We give a lot to other countries, even though it's only about 1% of our budget. We just got a really large budget.

 

[sonak]

Gods, I hope not. Especially the way the PD in modern Trek has led to atrocities like ENT's "Dear Doctor," demonstrated callousness like in "Homeward," and absurdity like in ST: INS.



The PD in TOS started off reasonably, referring to cultural non-interference in pre-contact civilizations. It NEVER meant complete non-interference, even in the case of natural disasters.


Modern Trek bastardized the PD beyond recognition.



Also, there is no "pre-contact," "post-contact" barriers for modern nation-states.



Any attempt to follow the PD would mean a policy of amoral isolationism. I would hope no responsible world power would follow it.

 

[Anduril]

Has the idea behind the Prime Directive influenced the world's foreign policy over the years? I'm not sure this will bear up under specific reactions today (Egypt vs. Libya, for example), but it seems to me that there is a growing trend toward non-interference in some situations or at least an acknowledgement of the fact that situations must evolve naturally. Comments?

To answer the question, absolutely not.

America has to maintain it's empire at all costs.

 

[Rulius]

To answer the question, absolutely not.

America has to maintain it's empire at all costs.[/QUOTE]


Oy Vey how pithy