There is a concept in psychology called the fundamental attribution error.
It is the human tendency to explain other people's behavior through internal, personal characteristics: he did that because he's aggressive, irrational, unstable.
But you explain your own behavior through external, situational factors: I did that because I was provoked, because the circumstances required it, because I had no choice.
Empire runs the fundamental attribution error as foreign policy.
The enemy resists because he is "fanatical." Because he is "indoctrinated." Because his culture produces "violence." Because his religion is "extreme." Because his political tradition is "authoritarian."
Because something in him, internal and prior to any encounter with us, generates this behavior.
We intervene because we were "provoked." Because the situation "required it." Because our security was "threatened." Because we had "no choice." Because we "tried everything else first."
Same behaviour: violence.
Attributed in opposite directions depending on who is committing it.
This is not a coincidence.
This is the cognitive architecture of every dominant power in human history.
What makes the American version distinctive is the sincerity.
Previous empires knew they were empires.
They had kings who said the quiet part aloud.
The American empire genuinely believes it is not an empire.
Which means the fundamental attribution error is not calculated propaganda.
It is a real perception.
And that genuine sincerity, that complete, unironic, well-funded bewilderment at the hatred of people who have been bombed, is the most dangerous form of it.
Because you can negotiate with a cynic.
You cannot reason with a true believer who cannot see the bars.
@PriscaMutema2@Mavhure@mimmitwit@matigary True, people add to the mess but the bigger fix is fastโtracking Mount Hampden. Harareโs CBD is bursting and only expanding into the new capital with proper infrastructure will match the population pressure.
@JoshuaRamoshaba@daddyhope Afrcn leaders donโt resign because their corruption is crude, open, and protected by a captured judiciary, leaving office risks accountability once its is captured by another. British leaders can afford to resign because theirs is sophisticated & hard to detect even after office.