The term “free world” originated during the Cold War to distinguish democracies from communist countries. The US president became known as the “leader of the free world” due to their role in fighting communism. The term is disputed by some countries and concerns have been raised about the use of the word “free”. The term is associated with the US and its military might, as well as the values and ideals the country stands for. It refers not only to the president but also to people who uphold America’s highest ideals.
The term free world originated from the Cold War, when it was used to distinguish between democracies, particularly the United States and Western European countries, and the communist Soviet Union and its allies. As the US led the war against Communism, the US president became known as the “leader of the free world”. This term is often used today due to the hegemony exercised by the United States and the power of the presidency itself. As president, a leader can start a war, overturn legislation, and build diplomatic relations between countries.
Much of the power inherently understood within the term revolves around the president’s role as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The United States Army currently has over 1.4 million active duty personnel. US bases are located in Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
The United States also has the largest military budget in the world, which, as of 2012, is $680 billion US dollars. This budget is much larger than that of China, the country with the second largest military budget in the world. The number of troops within the US military is not as high as that of other countries, simply because conscription is no longer used.
Referring to the US president as the “leader of the free world” is disputed by other countries that fought for democracy even during the Cold War. There are also concerns about the use of the word “free”. During the cold war between ideologies, African, Asian and South American countries, which cannot be clearly defined as democracies and therefore “free”, supported the United States and Western Europe. Currently, countries with undemocratic governments can be considered free.
However, the term is still associated with the United States, although international usage of the term “leader of the free world” often refers to the country rather than the presidency. In addition to the military might that the United States has, the term also applies to the values and ideals that the country stands for: equality for all, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to pursue happiness. . Therefore, the phrase refers not only to the president, but also to people who uphold America’s highest ideals, such as Martin Luther King, Susan B. Anthony, Ralph Nader and Hillary Clinton.
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