Unifying Concepts & Competing Themes

1. Unifying Concepts & Competing Themes

2. Concepts & Themes……………. • Questions • What are America’s long-term objectives in foreign policy? • What are its more immediate objectives? • What are the principles underlying US foreign policy? • What are the competing themes that have dominated US foreign policy?

3. Concepts & Themes……………. • US Foreign Policy Mission • American Sense of Exceptionalism • Thomas Jefferson • US is “the last best hope of mankind” • US is a “barrier against the return of ignorance & barbarism” • Alexander Hamilton • American Revolution would cause great impact on the Old Continent • Benjamin Franklin • US democratic rule offered hope to people still under tyranny • John Adams • US would emerge as the world’s greatest power.

4. Concepts & Themes……………. • US Foreign Policy Mission • American Sense of Mission • Thomas Jefferson • Serve as an example • Truman • Support & maintain freedom • Eisenhower • Extend areas of freedom throughout the world • Clinton • Promote American pol, eco, & social values around the world • Bush • Defend freedom of people to live fear-free.

5. Concepts & Themes……………. • US Foreign Policy Mission Questions • Should US serve as a model for others who desire democracy & freedom? • Should US act militarily, economically, & politically to provide others such opportunities?

6. Concepts & Themes……………. • National Interests • Goals that states pursue to maximize what is selfishly best for their country • US National InterestsPolicies that advance the following are considered serving America’s nat’l interests. • Power Hans Morgenthau: Any policy that enhances a state’s power is in its national interest. • Military security & advantage • Economic strength • Ideology • Promote democracy • Anti-Communism

7. Concepts & Themes……………. • US National InterestsPolicies that advance the following are considered serving America’s nat’l interests. • Power • Military security & advantage • Economic strength • Ideology • Morality & the rule of law • Human rights • The International Criminal Court • Cultural identity • Individualism • Diversity

8. Concepts & Themes……………. • Controversies & Issues • How to define power? • Hans Morgenthau: • power as anything that enables a state to control others • Supporters • Policies that enhance US power are in US interest & should be pursued • Critics • Influence rather than control better serves US interest • What kind of military capabilities to aquire & maintain?

9. Concepts & Themes……………. • Controversies & Issues • What kind of military capabilities/advantages to acquire & maintain? • Should nuclear weapons the central element of defense? • What about other weapons of mass destruction such as biological & chemical weapons? • Should it pursue theatre strategic defense system? • What would be an effective defense strategy against stateless terrorist groups? • How to advance US economic power? • Should US trade with Apartheid S Africa? • Should US suspend China’s MFN?

10. Concepts & Themes……………. • Controversies & Issues • How to balance ideological goals with other interests? • Promote democracy & develop normal trade relations • How is US foreign policy reflective of morality & the rule of law? • How consistently is human rights pursued in US foreign relations? • If the rule of law such an important goal, why does the US reject the Int’l Criminal Court? • How easy is it to identify US foreign policy in terms of cultural identity? • Which part of the cultural heritage?

11. Concepts & Themes……………. • Four American Principles • Isolationism • Geographical, emotional & ideological reasons • Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address • Moralistic • “Open Door” Policy • “Roosevelt Corollary” Morally imperative to spread American ideals and values by intervention & act as policeman in Latin America • Wilson & US participation in WWI out of “making the world safe for democracy” • Pragmatism • Trade with both sides of the Napoleonic Wars • Trade with Japan up to1941 • unilateralism

12. Concepts & Themes……………. • Competing Themes Conflicts among the missions, interests, & principles gave rise to competing themes in US foreign policy over the last more than two & a quarter centuries. • Idealism versus Realism Idealism • Int’l peace is attainable • Int’l law & int’l organizations • Human rights, arms control & disarmament • Peaceful resolution of disputes thru diplomacy

13. Concepts & Themes……………. • Competing Themes Realism • Pessimistic view of world politics • Military & economic power • Balance of power • Military preparedness & deterrence • Idealism or Realism in Foreign Policy Points to Remember: • No presidents have held views or made policies that can be exclusively be labeled as “idealistic” or “realistic.” • Idealism and realism are better viewed as polar extremes on a spectrum.

14. Concepts & Themes……………. • Idealism or Realism in Foreign Policy Points to Remember: • Conflicts between idealism & realism started in early days of the US. Idealism or Realism? • John Adams & his British Policy • US could not afford a conflict with Britain • US must recognize Britain's predominant power in world politics. Question: Realistic or idealistic? Answer: Realistic

15. Concepts & Themes……………. • Idealism or Realism in Foreign Policy Idealism or Realism? • Woodrow Wilson & post-WWI Int’l Order • the League of Nations • Collective security • Open diplomacy • National self-determination • Arms control and disarmament • Free trade & int’l cooperation • Jimmy Carter & Carter Doctrine • Human rights • Carter Doctrine (against Soviet move to Persian Gulf) A hybrid of idealism & realism

16. Concepts & Themes……………. • Idealism or Realism in Foreign Policy Idealism or Realism? • Ronald Reagan & “evil empire” • US would only negotiate from position of strength • Led biggest peacetime arms buildup • Held more summit meetings with Soviet leader A hybrid of realism & idealism

17. Concepts & Themes……………. • Isolationism versus Involvement Isolationism: reality or perceived reality? • George Washington did not advocate total isolation & knew the need for int’l trade. • Washington dispatched John Jay to London to negotiate settlements on lingering issues. • John Adams fought an undeclared naval war with France over French impressments. • Growing commercial ties with Europe • Sided with the Allies before entering WWI • Aided Britain before entering WWII

18. Concepts & Themes……………. • Isolationism versus Involvement Should US return to isolationism? • Yes • Collapse of the Soviet empire • Overextension of US power overseas • Overextension weakens US position • Overextension => interventionism => negative US image • No • New threats & challenges in post-Cold War world • US economic strength, military might & global interests call for continued US involvement

19. Concepts & Themes……………. • Unilateralism versus Multilateralism • a post-WWII phenomenon • Unilateralism, a dominant feature of US foreign policy behavior until after WWII • US leading multilateral efforts since end of WWII • Criticisms about following a multilateral strategy • Contradictory to American unilateral tradition • Undermining American sovereignty • Committing US to non-American causes • Limiting US freedom of action

20. Concepts & Themes……………. • Unilateralism or Multilateralism in 21st Century • Unilateralism • Soviet collapse and disappearance of Communist threat • Post-Cold War era is a “unipolar moment” • Multilateralism • Int’l pol, security, economic & environmental issues are better handled multilaterallyE.g., • Multilateral efforts to help democratize former E European socialist states • Multilateral efforts to drive Iraq out of Kuwait • Clinton signed the multilateral Kyoto Environmental Protocol & the treaty creating the Int’l Criminal Court