International Relations Dbq

Improved Essays
How foreign policy makers answer the above question will be crucial in how the future looks. In today’s uneasy and conflicted culture there are many issues that have been raised in the twenty first century. Some of these challenges includes the war on terror, security issues, and problems with international relations are three challenges that the United States face in this day and age. An organizing principle is beneficial to the world’s leaders and the people because it gives them a clear vision and will help keep the main goals on track. It also sends a powerful message to other countries and their leaders. In these uncertain times, it is best to adopt a doctrine that will help the growing world for the future. This big question is if the …show more content…
Starting with Cold War isolationism and containment, then to the present; from Truman to Obama. Obviously, in today’s world isolationism is not possible. As a result of globalization, our world is increasingly connected through global trade networks and diplomatic alliances. What worked in the Cold War and before World War I is not a good strategy today’s world. The best option for today would be a balance of power that would aid allied countries to work together, protect human rights and common good. This would be a blending of the Truman Doctrine of support of its allies and Reagan’s ideals of exercising U.S. power for the common good. The Truman Doctrine, as said by Kaufman, “It established the precedent of using foreign aid and economic assistance as instruments of foreign policy, something that continued through the duration of the Cold War and continues to the present” (Kaufman 93). It also made it clear the United States would not hesitate to use Military force within its own hemisphere much like the Monroe Doctrine, as well as when democratic ideals were threatened, like the Wilsonian perspective (Kaufman 93). This is an important to follow in the future because the U.S. shouldn’t rely on its own power, but should band together with its allies to support the common good. This has worked in the past in both WWI and WWII. Reagan’s Doctrine is similar to Truman’s in exercising power, but was also excellent in communications with other world leaders, like Gorbachev of the USSR. From the text, “No longer would U.S foreign policy be based on “soft’ ideas, but would once again be based on strength and power” (Kaufman 125). Reagan also instilled a sense of Nationalistic pride in the nation and focuses on domestic issues like cutting taxes and social programs to help build the economy. It is important for our Administration today and future ones, to instill American pride and

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    He also states that the military and economic strength of America helps it achieve any number of “global ambitions”. Also, since the United States emerged as a great power, it has maintained the interests of its allies with its own through defense and foreign policy. As a result, Kagan considers American hegemony as generous in terms of the interests of others and that the countries that have “long benefited and still benefit” from America’s power and international order should encourage American hegemony. In fact, Kagan says that any alternative to American hegemony will not create peace and prosperity and if one superpower should exist, it is the United States. In his conclusion, Kagan makes it clear that the world may criticize the American arrogance, but at the same time, the United States is the only superpower which provides stability and prosperity as well as the fact that the United States is the only country willing to make long-term sacrifices to preserve global order while other countries fear geopolitical consequences of ending American hegemony and the expense for preserving such a…

    • 1173 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Reagan also rebuild the armed forces by reviving war machines and the production missiles. Because of this he increased the spending, increased troops and was able to ensure that America would remain military powerful. All in all, Ronald Reagans achievements influenced America today by giving people in society the opportunity to say their opinions and demonstrate their values on certain issues like pro-life, having low tax cuts at one point which helps motivate Americans today to fight for another reform to take place and for securing the military and armed forces by demonstrating their power which can be seen in everyday life which is the security that people have with being protected by the…

    • 1900 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Realists do not believe that the states should achieve in perpetual peace and harmony in the world. Actors needed to be faced with the fact that the world is a diverse place and one must accept and live by it. Power to them is the centerpiece of a political life ensuring one’s safety in an environment with no central government protecting them from others. On the other hand, liberalists argue that realism is an outdated justification where the increase of globalization, the rise of communication technology and international trade are resources that cannot be relied on militaristic power. It is the international system that offers a collaboration within the political actors and states.…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    American People Patriotism

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages

    It is about contributing to the nation and showing patriotism the best way a citizen knows how. Buying American made products are a great example of both of these things. With the state of the nation, helping contribute to communities, boosting the economy, and developing jobs are crucial for the American society. Foreign goods will continue to bring a downfall to the country if the American people promote this behavior any longer. Americans have worked too hard and too long to allow the nation to fall short to these foreign policies.…

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Liberal Principles

    • 1045 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In controlling the UN – as the West have consistently done since it’s conception, even throughout the years of the Cold War – the West have control over aspects of the economy, human rights and social issues, and to a certain extent the political landscape of the international community, and as such can influence things in such a way as to benefit themselves and the Liberal principles which they follow. Additionally, Liberalism almost lends the West a certain degree of moral superiority – Liberal principles of the importance of democracy and an ultimate aim to end war can only be viewed as positive international goals. As Liberal principles only add to the benefits received by the West, it’s evident why they are particularly relevant to Western states,…

    • 1045 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It may have seemed our previous support was only for their oil or in return for their support during the Cold War. If the United States were to remain consistent with their liberalist foreign policy, we would be able to move on from their past. Instead of focusing on maximizing military power, we would be able to rise above this and achieve what Woodrow Wilson was truly aiming for with his Fourteen Points. The idea of an international coalition of peace is theoretically a good idea. I believe that the time period at which it was implemented was simply not receptive.…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He forwarded the creation of a ‘League of Nations’, which would allow international leaders to discuss their issues without the need for conflict. In order to achieve this, Wilson promoted a “safe world” and that the war “would end all wars” through the implemented of the 14 Points. This is seen in Source B, which mentions that Wilson had a “unselfish and idealistic spirit”. However, it is essential to note that The United States of America was becoming the most powerful nation internationally and Wilson was attempting to increase the authority the country possessed. He knew that by creating peace, trade opportunities would be generated and America would collect substantial debts from the Allies and other European countries.…

    • 1062 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Their membership would increase the benefits and incentives for other states to join by promising access to all the major nations already part of this order (in addition to limiting potentially viable partners outside). But, this optimism ultimately proved ill-founded. While Western institutions like NATO have seen some increased membership since the Cold War ended, many key international powers like China and Russia remain opposed to fully joining their nations’ interests with those of the West. The liberal order championed by the West has thus never truly engrained itself in all areas of international politics and therefore finds itself more vulnerable to attack than a pervasive and universally accepted order…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Theodore Roosevelt’s first paragraph, he is addressing to the people of America. Roosevelt believes Americans should be thankful that we did not have to go through the hardships that our ancestors went through; we were handed a country that was already established for us and if the country fails, we would have no one to blame but ourselves. We should expect the same success in the future as we had in the past and expect no less. We need to set an example that a free government like ours of mighty people we can thrive alike our body and soul. Roosevelt greatly explains the saying, “with power comes great responsibility” and we must not take this lightly.…

    • 471 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    But it is a necessary statement to understand, nonetheless. America would not have a purpose if it were not for trying to seduce other countries into its way of thinking. Wilson’s Fourteen Points would eventually go on to creating a nation “committed to the principles of liberal democracy and free enterprise...the values distinguishing the United States itself (Bacevich, 11). Bacevich argues how that same Wilsonian paradigm is still present in our society today. After the catastrophe of September 11, President George W. Bush would go on to show that he also believed it was America’s destiny to rid mankind of “the darkness” present in our world (Bacevich, 12).…

    • 1051 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays