Even presidents of old have realized this. It is shown by their declaring war on poverty. Declaring war on poverty ensures that no matter the time, we will always have a set positive goal to achieve. We must have a common enemy that we can always work to eliminate. America's goal is always to expand, whether it is economically or physically. This also can be shown by the taking over of the Philippines, and also by the implementing of government officials in other countries around the world. Having these goals and enemies will also help expand the economy, with the everyday spending and manufacturing for army items or things to do with the wars. It will help move the economy in the right direction.
Ever since the Great Depression, America has had an enemy, from war on poverty, to the cold war where there was no actual fighting. During the fighting of these enemies America has evolved its science and industry, meaning so far it has worked successfully for the government. Another thing to take into account is the workforce. If say half of the army and marines were to be “let go” due to America not having an enemy, then there would be hundreds of thousands of civilians looking for jobs all around the United States. Some would probably work overseas but the majority would most likely move back to where they use to live, and look for a local jobs. This alone would put the economy in turmoil, many hardworking and not so hard working Americans would now be jobless due to the abrupt increase in job demand. (Over time it would probably work out for the better once more job positions were created).
Another not as obvious outcome to America not having an enemy would be college. If America no longer needed as big of an army, then army recruiters and marine recruiters would be at a minimum. The problem with this is simply that the army is a great source for a paid tuition to college. Many people who have no other option to pay for school choose to go into the army, but if there is not a massive demand of people to join the services then the amount of people going to college slightly drops as well.
The U.S has always had a habit of sticking its nose into other peoples business, sometimes it brings destruction. Yet other times it brings fortune and technology. A key example of this is during WWII we benefited by gaining the British/French as strong allies, we were also able to save the world from communism. Another good example would be during the cold war, there was no actual fighting. Yet the Soviets were our enemies, and we gained so much technology during the feud. We gained new rocket technology from the space race, better computers and everyday appliances that came from plans to make our military stronger.
The gist of this is the fact that no matter how much America doesn't want to have an enemy, it always will, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. Many countries despise America simply because of the fact that we are free, and also because of the equal rights that we have set in place. In Muslim society we are despised and considered an enemy for something as simple as letting women be equal to men. If there is something as simple as this that gives America an enemy, then no matter the time or situation we will always have any enemy.
