Libertarian view of peaceful, global trade

Our country really began changing at the turn of the 19th century and from the beginning of the 20th century until now, much has been written about FDR, somewhat less about Hoover, much about Kennedy and Nixon, and very little about Eisenhower. Eisenhower became president shortly after I was born in 1953 and I suppose the years between 1953 and 1961 were fairly uneventful, although the wild changes of the 60's were beginning at the end of his second term. I recently reread Eisenhower's farewell address and here is an except:

"in the councils of Government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the hugh industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Eisenhower appeared to be a man who understood the reality of security but also the ever-present danger of military power unharnessed.. It's easy to look back in time and criticize certain military involvement such as the World Wars, Korea and Viet Nam, but one has to wonder where we would be today with more caution and restraint regarding our military power and influence. From my reading of history the country became too militaristic at the turn of the 19th century (although many in the public wanted peace and stability) and our vision of being a super power spreading "good" in the world caused us to act without caution all too often.

Going forward I think the US should be very cautious using military might and influence. Although it's still a dangerous world, for the most part the developed nations have moved beyond imperialism and ideas of world domination. We have the opportunity to replace war with peaceful trade. There's still the reality of terrorism, but how much of this is enflamed by the reality of our military might and the perception of the US trying to economically dominate the world? I'm not sure. I'm sure the motives of those causing conflict are diverse.

However, it seems to be time for a policy of strong national defense and miltary non-interference in the affairs of other countries. I also think it's time to withdraw from the UN and cease any western alliances built on military considerations. America has an opportunity to lead the world by example into the future. Free trade and military non-interference could place us in a neutral position if the miltary-industrial complex could be realigned to merely a national defense system with the purpose of protecting the country from foreign attack.

NGO's, truly disconnected from governments, could be strengthened, through their own efforts and goals, to handle international affairs so that politics and ulterior motives are removed from the interactions of nations resolving global problems. The nation-states have been too conflicted, too embroiled in political concerns.

The global economy doesn't need the obstacles of military involvement -- the global economy needs a new openness that allows the people of the world to peacefully trade and share all the technological advances which are being created daily. Regional conflicts aside, the world is ready for a long reign of peace and trade -- belligerent nation-states are hopefully becoming something of the past, to be replaced by diverse, peaceful cultures competing and co-operating in the world market to raise the standard of living for all.

The realist hawks will snicker and squawk, but it makes sense that the more information and knowledge we acquire, the more the evolution toward peaceful trade will become a reality. The fact that cultures are interacting more closely than ever in history tells me we'll lose our fear and ignorant differences in time. It's the self-serving governments of nation-states that are holding back progress. This is another reason why a libertarian vision of limited governments is an important vision -- if we can't gain freedom from the shackles of nation-states, then the world will be trapped in conflict.