Beyond the Guilt: A Conservative Call for Principled Action in a World Scarred by Slavery
The explosive online declaration, "EVERY COUNTRY HAS HAD SLAVERY!!! SOME STILL DO!!! SHOULD WE CONQUER THE WORLD?!?!" is more than just internet hyperbole. It is a raw, unfiltered expression of a sentiment felt by many who observe the current state of our national discourse. It reflects a deep frustration with a narrative that seems to singularly focus on America’s historical sins while ignoring both the global context of human bondage and the pressing evils that persist today. From a conservative perspective, this isn’t a call for apathy, but for a more clear-eyed, principled, and effective approach to human dignity—one rooted in truth, national strength, and the power of our example, not self-flagellating conquest.
The historical facts presented are undeniable and crucial for an honest conversation. The institution of slavery was not an American invention; it is a tragic, near-universal chapter in human history. The detailed account of Korea’s *nobi* system, which endured for over a millennium with up to 40% of the population enslaved, is a stark reminder. So too are the ancient slave markets of Mesopotamia, the prolonged horrors of the Arab slave trade, and the entrenched serfdom of Eastern Europe. This global perspective is not, as some might charge, an attempt to "whatabout" our own history or minimize the profound injustice of transatlantic chattel slavery. Rather, it is a necessary corrective to a modern progressive narrative that paints America as uniquely evil.
This narrative is not only ahistorical but also counterproductive. By isolating American history as a unique moral catastrophe, it fosters national self-loathing and division. It teaches our children to see their country’s founding not as a flawed but revolutionary step toward liberty, but as an irredeemable original sin. This mindset paralyzes us. It suggests that our nation is so inherently corrupt that it must be fundamentally deconstructed, rather than proudfully improved upon. Conservatism, in contrast, understands that a nation, like an individual, cannot strive for a better future if it is taught to despise its past. Acknowledging the full, global context of slavery allows us to properly contextualize our own history—to condemn the evil unequivocally while still honoring the incredible progress and the heroes who fought to end it.
The second part of the statement—"SOME STILL DO!!!"—points us toward where our moral outrage should be focused today: on present-tense evil. The situation in Mauritania is a chilling testament to the fact that slavery is not merely a historical relic. Despite being officially outlawed, hereditary slavery persists with the complicity of the state. Human beings are still born into bondage, considered property, and trapped by a brutal caste system. This is not a legacy issue; it is a current, ongoing atrocity.
Herein lies the conservative answer to "SHOULD WE CONQUER THE WORLD?!" The answer is a resounding no. Conquest and neo-colonialism are not the tools of a strong and confident nation; they are the failed strategies of empires. They drain national treasure, cost American lives, and often create more instability and suffering. The conservative foreign policy approach is not one of isolationism, but of principled realism and leadership.
So what does that leadership look like in the face of modern slavery?
First, it requires a foreign policy driven by moral clarity, not moral relativism. We must use our immense diplomatic power to name and shame regimes like Mauritania. This means tying foreign aid, trade agreements, and international standing to verifiable, measurable progress in eradicating these practices. Our voice on the world stage must be a consistent and powerful advocate for human liberty.
Second, we must leverage our economic might. Sanctions targeted specifically at the elites and officials who benefit from or turn a blind eye to modern slavery can be a powerful tool. We can lead international coalitions to freeze assets and restrict travel for those complicit in these crimes.
Third, and most importantly, we must lead by the power of our example. America’s greatest export is not its military might but its ideal of liberty. We combat global slavery by being a shining city on a hill—a testament to what a free, prosperous, and multi-ethnic society can achieve. This means strengthening our own nation at home: securing our borders to fight human trafficking networks that operate globally, promoting economic policies that create prosperity and lift all boats, and upholding the rule of law which is the ultimate bulwark against tyranny.
A nation consumed with deconstructing itself, debating whether its core principles are a lie, and teaching its citizens to be ashamed of their heritage has no moral authority to lead anyone. A nation that is confident in its values, proud of its progress, and steadfast in its commitment to justice and liberty does.
The online cry of frustration is understandable. It rejects a guilt-based narrative that seeks to paralyze America in the past. But conservatism does not reject the fight for human dignity; it seeks to reframe it on terms that are both honest and effective. We must study the full history of slavery to understand the dark depths of human nature, not to score points. We must confront modern slavery with the fierce resolve of a nation that believes in its own foundational ideals. Our mission is not to conquer the world, but to lead it—through strength, principle, and the unwavering belief that the promise of freedom is the most powerful force for good this world has ever known. That is a cause worthy of a great nation.
EVERY COUNTRY HAS HAD SLAVERY!!! SOME STILL DO!!! SHOULD WE CONQUER THE WORLD?!?!
Which country had the longest slavery in the world?
"While many cultures and civilizations have long histories of slavery, Korea is often cited for having one of the longest, most enduring, and institutionally embedded systems of slavery, with an unbroken chain lasting for centuries, characterized by the nobi class. The institution of slavery in Korea existed for well over a thousand years, with a significant portion of the population being enslaved at various times, only gradually abolished by the late 19th century.
Key aspects of Korean slavery:
A distinct class system: Slavery was a well-defined and accepted social status for centuries, with slaves (nobi) being considered property that could be bought, sold, inherited, and gifted.
Long-term institution: Unlike some other forms of forced labor, the system of Korean slavery had a remarkably long and stable existence, with scholars referring to it as an "unbroken chain".
Economic significance: The economy in Chosŏn Korea was heavily dependent on enslaved labor, with the slave population reaching as high as 30-40% of the total population at certain times.
Late abolition: While slavery was present in various forms from antiquity, the institution persisted through the Koryŏ and Chosŏn dynasties, with abolition finally occurring in the late 19th century, particularly in 1894.
Other contexts for lengthy histories of slavery:
Ancient Civilizations: The concept of slavery is seen to have emerged with the very first civilizations, such as those in Mesopotamia around 3500 BC.
Middle East/North Africa: The Red Sea slave trade, which moved Africans into the Arab world, was a very long-enduring trade, lasting from antiquity until the mid-20th century.
Eastern Europe: Serfdom, a form of tied labor similar to slavery, was a long-standing institution in Eastern Europe, especially in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia, lasting for several centuries."
Can You Still Buy A Slave In Africa?
"No [Not Legally], it is not possible to legally buy a person in Mauritania or anywhere else in the world, as slavery is banned everywhere. However, modern slavery, particularly hereditary or descent-based slavery, is a persistent and entrenched issue in Mauritania despite official bans.
Legality vs. reality in Mauritania
Illegal status: Slavery was officially abolished in Mauritania in 1981, the last country in the world to do so. It has since been criminalized multiple times, most recently in 2015, with laws imposing prison sentences on slaveholders.
Lack of enforcement: Despite these laws, enforcement is notoriously poor, and perpetrators are rarely prosecuted. Activists report that government officials often deny the existence of slavery and sometimes even encourage victims to withdraw their complaints.
Persistent practice: Human rights organizations and the U.S. State Department confirm that the practice continues, especially in remote areas. It primarily affects the Haratine ethnic group, whose slave status has been passed down for generations.
How modern slavery functions in Mauritania
Unlike historic open-air slave markets, the practice today is more hidden and operates within a deep-seated caste system.
Hereditary control: People are typically born into slavery and considered the property of their "masters" for life. This status is passed down from mother to child.
Economic dependence: Many who are freed remain dependent on their former masters due to extreme poverty, lack of education, and widespread discrimination.
Trafficking and exploitation: Human trafficking also occurs, with reports of traffickers exploiting victims for forced labor or sexual exploitation.
International recognition and condemnation
International reports consistently place Mauritania among the countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery.
The U.S. State Department and other international bodies have repeatedly called for stronger action and criticized Mauritanian officials for their complicity and lack of political will to end the practice."
#Slavery #Africa