Being Better Americans and Doing It for Them: the Peace Corps in Micronesia

Severance, Craig J (1985). Knudsen, Karen (ed.). Being Better Americans and Doing It for Them: the Peace Corps in Micronesia. Manoa, HI: University of Hawaii at Manoa. pp. 59–81.

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Abstract: There is a tired but potentially historic adage about the successive colonial powers in Micronesia which states: The Spanish came for God, the Germans for gold, the Japanese for glory, and the Americans for good. Each power, of course, had multiple and conflicting motives, as did the individuals involved. To go to Micronesia "for good" ·in the American period includes being good and doing good, and is thus an expression of the basic American values Kiste refers to in this volume. To go to Micronesia "for good" also includes or has at least resulted in America being in Micronesia for good, meaning permanently. My argument perpetuates this ambiguity of American motives by suggesting that a number, but by no means all, of the Peace Corps Volunteers who came to Micronesia were able to be good in the humanitarian sense and were able to do good in the educational, political, SOCial, and economic development arenas. In the process, their activities supported the expanded programs and raised expectations, particularly in the outer islands, which have helped keep the U.S. in Micronesia for good. 59

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MAG: 2236704295
OpenAlex: W2236704295
CorpusID: 129953939