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IQ2 debate: America has lost its moral authority

Lloyd Evans

Wednesday, 30th April 2008

Lloyd Evans reports on the latest Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate

Matthew Parris rejected the association between nation states and moral authority. ‘America was always in the gutter, like every other nation.’ It was built on ‘slavery and land-grabbing’. Nor was he encouraged by American scepticism over Iraq. ‘The war isn’t unpopular because it’s wrong but because it’s killing too many Americans.’ This commendably honest speech received an even bigger ovation than Amis’s. Everything rested with Howard Jacobson, who stood up, tilted his beard along the distinguished line of panellists and said, ‘Throw a bomb on this platform and that’s the end of civilisation.’ Attacking Britain’s morality, he dared us to justify our right to judge anyone. Of 9/11, he said that the atrocity had given expression to a worldwide revulsion for America that was the mirror image of the world’s infatuation with America’s ‘fleshly exhilarations’ and ‘piercing vital music’. He denounced supporters of the motion as ‘mealy-mouthed, sanctimonious and life-denying’. During the floor debate, Jacobson turned on Will Self’s ‘lugubrious verbalism’ while Self highlighted the inconsistencies of Jacobson’s team. ‘They can’t agree among themselves. They’re all over the place.’ Jacobson responded that it was the very plurality of his side’s approach that gave it its suppleness and strength. And these were precisely the qualities they admired in America. Nifty footwork but Jacobson couldn’t carry the day.

Before the debate, 431 supported the motion, 143 opposed it and 176 didn’t know. Afterwards the proposers had increased their majority by two, (to 433), the opposers had boosted their losing minority to 291. Just 37 remained undecided.

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JimW

June 9th, 2008 5:49pm

It's always fascinating to rad about anti-Americanism in Britain. Hatred of Americans will not go away simply because the US elects a very weak president like Obama. You will simply find another reason to hate us. It is a sport, and one that anyone can play.

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