Rubio in Athens: Imperialist Hubris in the Shadow of the Parthenon

By Nikos Mottas

Marco Rubio’s speech at the historic Pnyx in Athens on October 7 was a textbook exercise in imperialist propaganda. Invoking ancient Greek democracy, philosophy and civilization, the US Secretary of State attempted to give Washington’s pursuit of global supremacy the appearance of a noble historical mission. Behind the grandiose rhetoric, however, stood the familiar doctrine of US imperial power, military superiority and capitalist domination.

Rubio openly celebrated the “unapologetic pursuit of national power,” technological dominance and superiority in weapons and warfare. His praise of Western civilization served an unmistakable ideological purpose: to disguise the interests of US imperialism as universal human values. Through his invocation of “nationalism,” he also sought to rehabilitate the reactionary politics of the far right, presenting aggressive nationalism as a legitimate expression of patriotism and national pride.  The language of democracy became a convenient cover for military expansion, geopolitical confrontation and the defense of capitalist interests.

t was an utter disgrace that the historic Pnyx should be used as the venue for the speech of this arch-imperialist, with the magnificent Parthenon serving as its backdrop. There was something profoundly cynical about delivering such a sermon on democracy at the very birthplace of democratic political debate, while the Greek government deepens its military, economic and energy dependence on Washington.

Rubio’s speech was not a tribute to civilization. It was an attempt to dress the brutal logic of imperialist domination in the robes of Pericles. But there is one lesson from ancient Greece that Rubio would do well to remember: After hubris comes Nemesis. 

* Nikos Mottas is the Editor-in-Chief of In Defense of Communism.