“Definitions of Responsibility and American Foreign Policy.” G. Hastedt PS: Political Science and Politics Jan. 2003; 36, 1

US Role? What is the US role in the World? The US power is not in doubt, and it is useless to debate it. Good Citizen: Internationalist The US does not have enough power to solve global problems on its own. Hence, it is the US interest to get other countries to carry their share.

Bush and Responsibility Focused Foreign Policy Phases of the Bush Administration The Bush administration has gone through several stages: 1) Five (5) Principles: ex: Evil still exists in the world. 2) Pre-9/11: Different from Clinton No Humanitarian Interventionism 3) 9/11: Fervent Internationalism Broad scope, narrow focus: global terror 4) “Freedom” as the Focus

American Foreign Policy Competing Visions of American Foreign Policy Reformed America: Promoting Democracy Core Questions of this approach: 1) How much military power does US use to promote democracy? 2) How much soft power? Conservatives: Use Military Power Liberals: Use Economic Power

American Foreign Policy Competing Visions of American Foreign Policy Triumphant America US responsibility to the world is limited to and determined by US interests/values. Divisions within School of Thought Isolationists: US should withdraw from the world? Internationalists: The end of the Cold War offers the US a chance to refashion the world. Unilateralism: Both support the idea that when the US acts it should do so on its own and with overwhelming force if it acts.

American Foreign Policy Competing Visions of American Foreign Policy American Crusader Prefers Unilateralism: views US as dominant world power. US Global vision: grounded in defense, rather than responsibility. Appeals to American Instincts/Tradition This view rejects compromise and seeks permanent solution to US foreign policy issues. Hinges upon idea that US needs perfect Safety from foreign threats.

American Foreign Policy Disengaged American Perspective In this view, US responsibility to the world is limited. Shield Rather than Lance US foreign policy should be less of a lance and more of a shield.

American Foreign Policy Where are we today? What does a responsibility-focused analysis tell us about Bush’s foreign policy? Critique of Bush Foreign Policy US foreign policy is still built on America First perspective: Triumphant America.