| CBS's #1 rated reality television series "Survivor" | | | | In the current post 9/11 world the U.S. has been |
| may give Americans insight into the real world | | | | writing checks on IOUs that are not only; not |
| cause and effects of U.S. foreign policy. | | | | being cashed but are, as it turns out, becoming |
| For those unfamiliar with the pop-culture reality hit | | | | the thorn in our team-mates side. Few realized, |
| series; the premise is simple, drop two equally | | | | five years ago, that the sound of the towers |
| matched teams of individuals into a remote | | | | hitting the ground was an audible signal that the |
| location having them compete through mental and | | | | game had changed. Where we were once a |
| physical challenges. The winning team advances, | | | | powerful player in a team of nations, we are now |
| in-whole, to the next round while the losing team | | | | the bully in a game of individual ideologies. The |
| must vote one member out of the game. This | | | | principles, attitudes, and strengths that made us |
| scenario continues until one team is eliminated and | | | | an earlier at home favorite are now making us |
| then the effort turns, from a team effort, into an | | | | less popular than ever. The nations that were |
| individual competition. It's here that things get | | | | cheering us on then, it turns out, weren't cheering |
| interesting as the lies, back-stabbing, alliances, and | | | | for us at all. They were cheering the group |
| good deeds never go unpunished as "survivors" | | | | victory for the fact, they were safe and not |
| struggle to be one of the last two contestants | | | | because they were glad we were also safe. |
| for the million dollar prize. The hitch, the prize | | | | Now that the shift in the game; from nations to |
| money is given out to the most deserving person | | | | ideologies, has happened, we are fighting battles |
| by popular vote from previously eliminated | | | | on three essential fronts. We are trying to |
| players. | | | | champion democracy over communism, |
| In twelve seasons of the show, the nice guy that | | | | dictatorships, and theocracies. We are trying to |
| everyone is rooting for at home has never made | | | | champion; capitalism over communism and |
| it to the final round, since everyone knows they | | | | socialism, and modern Christian-Judea religious |
| can't win against that person, they typically | | | | tolerance over a stricter Muslim ideology. When |
| eliminate him early in the later rounds. What the | | | | the teams were East versus West it was easy |
| players wind up with is a choice between giving | | | | to be the big likable brother. Now that it is |
| the money to either someone they don't like or | | | | essentially everyman for himself, we are finding it |
| someone they don't think deserves it. | | | | hard to form an alliance strong enough to get us |
| It may seem a stretch to connect this television | | | | through this portion of the game and into the final |
| reality/game show to U.S. foreign policy but it's | | | | four. |
| much closer than one might think if you compare | | | | There aren't many countries preaching unchecked |
| desired outcomes to actual results. | | | | capitalism, the moral majority, and free |
| Pre 9/11, the U.S. wasn't really happy with the | | | | democracy for all. Of those that would likely |
| non-democratic world but it like the season | | | | support us by secret ballot, few are willing to do |
| opening "Survivor" episodes was playing in team | | | | so publicly. Apparently strategy has become a |
| competition. The United States had many allies. | | | | larger issue and our private supporters would |
| Some we didn't care for but we acted in unison | | | | prefer to remain anonymous at this point rather |
| with, thru the United Nations, since we were all on | | | | than add their names to the list as a target. |
| the same side, "team stability". We focused on | | | | Instead of getting picked off early, in the second |
| team efforts, building strong alliances and letting | | | | half, these think they can possibly sneak |
| the other team worry about who to vote off. At | | | | unnoticed into the final rounds and capture second |
| the time, this was a good strategy and we | | | | place if not the big prize of dominance. |
| figured it would pay dividends later in the game. | | | | No hard feelings, granted, this is how the game is |
| When communist Russia fell, we assumed by | | | | played. Then again, just like in Survivor, we may |
| lending a hand of support we would gain favor | | | | get a vote in who actually takes home the prize. |
| and long term allies. By signing free trade | | | | So don't go too far behind our backs and don't |
| agreements with China, North and South America, | | | | forget the winner is the guy that is hated least, |
| we equally assumed these favors would be | | | | not liked best, while winning the last few critical |
| remembered. | | | | challenges. With that thought it may be a closer |
| By bailing out WWII Europe we figured favors | | | | finish than some realize and we may be on the |
| were owed and could be cashed in at a later date. | | | | podium ourselves after all. |
| This isn't what's happening. | | | | |