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6 . The American doctrine of manifest destiny ( 19th century to the present day )
The belief that the United States was destined by God to extend its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the North American continent and around the world . This ideology justified America ’ s westward expansion , which led to the displacement and destruction of Native American populations , the annexation of Texas , the Mexican-American War and the subsequent acquisition of vast territories in the West . And it played an important role during the Cold War and continues to be the thinking behind American relations with the rest of the planet . The logic of American exceptionalism remains the major current of conflict creation in the world , and dominance in sport , the media and the digital economy are just some of the assets the USA uses to its advantage to wage a merciless war for world conquest .
In international sports , the victories and dominance of certain nations often take on symbolic significance far beyond the field of play . The concept of national supremacy in sport can shape global perceptions and , in some cases , contribute to broader narratives of political and cultural domination . A historical comparison between Germany ’ s success at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the continued dominance of the United States in global sports highlights the importance of such achievements in shaping international relations and influencing global power dynamics . Understanding these parallels can highlight the need for more diverse sporting excellence to challenge the dominance of a single nation and promote a more balanced world order .
Flashmag ! Issue 152 August 2024
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