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Actually its wrong that countries with social democratic traditions have to be pacifist or weak.
Look for example at Switzerland. Even though they moved quite a bit towards the right on certain issues (for example when it comes to immigration), its still a country that follows some common European traditions. But nonetheless until recently every man was olbiged to own a weapon at home in case the country should be attacked. They maintained a unique and huge alpine fortress system with entire barracks, artilery etc in the mountains...
In short Switzerland even though it scaled back its efforts just recently (after the decline of the Soviet threat), its everything else than helpless even though it uses all its efforts really only against real aggressors.
So we have to differentiate.
Regarding comparing leftist ideology with religion does not work in my opinion. After all many leftist people believe are believing Christians. Supporting certain political ideologies can lead to fanatism indeed, but if being leftist means one embraces that as a religion, every political ideology could be accused of it. And also the current dominant American political ideology would be no exception. One about spreading freedom and democracy...
But as I said, I dont think this works. Religion is not the same as fanatism. You can be also fanatic about something that has nothing to do with religion.
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