Introduction to Geopolitics

Reader’s Digest
provided a source of
geopolitical commentary for the American public. A widely read magazine with a broad
and loyal audience, the 
Reader’s Digest
has captured the consistent and changing
geopolitical messages that were aimed to help its readers understand, in order to support,
the global geopolitical role the US had assumed (see Table 4.1) (Sharp, 2000b).
1111
2
3
41
5
6
7
8
91
10
1
2
31111
4
5
6
7
8
9
20
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
30
1
2
3
4
51
6
7
8
9
40
1
2
3
4
5111
R E P R E S E N T A T I O N S   O F   G E O P O L I T I C A L   C O D E S
87
Figure 4.2
Hollywood biblical epic.

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A consistent theme throughout the century was the comparison of the US to classical
societies who had given so much to humanity through the diffusion of civilization. In
1922 the 
Reader’s Digest
stated:
The art that was Greece and the legal temperament that was Rome reflect 
the idealism of great peoples who had something within their national souls
which became the common heritage of humanity. This is the supreme test of
a truly great people. . . . No fear need be felt that the historians of the future
will pronounce national humanitarianism—the will to disinterested human
service—the original national contribution of the United States to the higher
idealism of the world.
(Sharp, 2000a, p. 75)
In this quote, the global mission of the United States is portrayed as a benevolent act,
disseminating a humanitarianism that will benefit all, similar to a mythic interpretation
of the Romans, the provider of the rule of law, and not the efficient and technologically
superior invaders of other countries. Note too that the “duty” and the ability of the US
to conduct this global mission rests not in government and military power but in national
characteristics. In other words, the individual American has a global role to play, not
just the NSC, the Pentagon, and the president. 
Reader’s Digest
paid greatest attention
to the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s new threats were
identified, including growth of “big” government and “political correctness” (Sharp,
2000b, p. 339).
Two related threats to “America” were identified by the 
Reader’s Digest
. On the one
hand was the concern of degeneracy, or the fact that the US’s power could wane, similar
to Rome’s classical fate (Sharp, 2000a, p. 75). On the other hand, was Communism,
portrayed as a threat to humanity as well as the culture and moral fabric of America, as
the magazine argued in 1935 and again in 1950 and 1948:
The American dream of Poor Boy makes Good leads even the most underpaid
drudge to consider himself a potential millionaire. This makes it hard to arouse
him to a Marxian consciousness.
(Sharp, 2000a, p. 77)
I N T R O D U C T I O N   T O   G E O P O L I T I C S
88
Table 4.1
Reader’s Digest
articles identifying threats to the American way of life
1986–8
1989–91
1992–4
Russia and Communism
48
50
34
Terrorism
6
8
1
Drugs
13
19
5
Japan/economic
7
9
10
Domestic danger
27
51
76
American values
13
11
25
Source: Slightly modified from Sharp (2000, p. 339).
Note: By “domestic danger” the