Let's Talk about Big Government...

There has been a lot of yapping recently about the advent of "big government" in the United States as the Fed and Treasury wade into the financial system to try to sort out the mess that the greed of Wall Street has caused.

I've got news for you all: big government has been here for years. What we are seeing is not a beginning to an era of big government, but a ramping up to huge government. I'm referring to a trend that pundits across the world attempt to create debate over, but in reality is a very long term occurrence. When the term 'era' is used to define a trend, then what few people fail to realize is that 'era' encompasses a lengthy period of time - often longer than a single human lifetime. In our hyper-materialistic, hyper-present culture that has increasingly permeated Westernized society, people fail to realize the historical implications of big and small government.

Not since the British East India Company enjoyed domination over the entire Indian sub-continent were governments in such danger of become so completely marginalized. In the years following, as the Great Powers coalesced in Europe - England, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia - government began to wrest power back from the private sector. Prior to that, the driving force for international economic development was by far the corporation.

Today we find a similar trend emerging. Massive corporations are become ever more dominant over entire sectors of economies. Google, Microsoft, McDonalds, Nike - these are Western names that we all are familiar with and who have gigantic influence in politics and culture. In Asian economies, notably India and Japan, business culture fosters the development of corporate conglomerates; giant groups, often family controlled, owning an array of companies across sectors resulting in combined dominant market shares.

Since World War II, especially, government has been highly influential in international markets and economies. Where traditionally the idea of democratic government was a social structure providing the protection of man's basic rights, and little else, in the second half of the 20th century and early 21st century, governments have routinely flexed military muscle, tampered with economic markets and controlled financial flows around the world. By the factors of culture, geographical situation and a knack for politics the United States has emerged the victor of this clash, but not without its own share of blood on its hands.

Today, we might be seeing the last gasp in an era of big government.

Where World War II was undoubtedly the largest conflict of 'big government' in recorded history, the Cold War took the concept to the next level. From 1945 through 1991, world policy was set in Washington and Moscow. There was little accomplished without the consent of the leaders of the United States and NATO or the Soviet Union. Bush Sr.'s presidency was marked by conflict in the Middle East and increasing American dominance in the Middle East. The mid-90s and the Clinton presidency saw a small hint of the possibility of a decline in the strength of the American empire as the European Union accelerated its creation of a single market and single currency, and a notable effort led by the Americans was made to increase the role of the IMF, World Bank and UN, among other international institutions, in global politics.

This trend was violently reversed following the events of September 11th, decisively shifting power back into the hands of the Bush administration and opening a period of gigantic government. The United States pursued increasingly independent policies that erased all progress towards a united international community made in the '90s and served to sustain American sovereignty as a single world superpower. Although the Obama administration has ridden to power on a wave of rhetoric declaring a more passive international role, it continues to support 'big government' policy by maintaining the American military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and insisting that Washington play a major role in restructuring the global financial system.

The continuation of big government rests on the success of Washington's attempts to fix the American financial system. With success, there will surely be popular approval of the government and a continuation of its dominance. With failure, there will be uncertainty and a powerful voice from the public denouncing government action and forcing a new debate about how best to regulate financial markets. Perhaps more frightening will be the government's reaction to this, particularly considering the growing buildup of military power across the globe. Will the republic utilize the military to quell revolt? How far will it impede the rights of man that this nation's Constitution laid out so clearly 300 years ago. How it plays out will be infinitely interesting. I wait with baited breath.