The Consequences And Errors Of American Foreign Policy Beliefs?
The Consequences and Errors of American Foreign Policy Beliefs
“If we have to use force, it is because we are America. We are the indispensable nation. We stand tall. We see farther into the future.” –Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Adherence to the current foreign policy ideology has been and will continue to be detrimental to the American people and the world at large. Though political posturing positions Republicans and Democrats against each other on all issues, a consensus has been reached on foreign policy. When one examines the underlying similarities rather than the superficial differences, it is evident that both parties and virtually the entire political elite share a common vision and conform in practice to a longstanding …show more content…
The results of implementing ideology can be a matter of life and death. Ideologies of racial superiority can be seen in the slave trade and the Holocaust, while the idea of laissez-faire leaves the poor without help. Current foreign policy ideology has risked lives, both American and international; it has led to a policy of interventionism and, at times, left the borders of the United States inadequately protected. There is a limited choice in public policy concerning foreign affairs, as evident in the situation of Vietnam, where policymakers discussed a choice between total bombing of Indochina and limited bombing while offering no choice for withdrawal. As those in charge of society—politicians, corporate executives, media owners—can dominate our ideas, they are be secure in their power. The ideas they perpetuate are not accepted by all, but are believed widely and strongly enough to dominate our thinking, while any dissident ideas are challenged and rebuked. The process of ideological selection in which certain orthodox ideas are encouraged, financed, and pushed forward by the most powerful mechanisms of our culture produces only “safe” ideas which don’t threaten established wealth or power. Current foreign policy ideologies do not threaten the might of the military, but instead help increase its …show more content…
Under the guise of an anticommunism effort, policy makers took the opportunity to flex American military muscle in Vietnam, resulting in the waste of billions of dollars and the loss of American lives. Covert affairs to manipulate the government structures of South American countries and preserve those friendly to America were also performed under the guise of anticommunism. America’s status as a protector of freedom—one of the good guys—allowed for the means to be questionable as long as the stated motives were pure, allowing for deeds such as bribing foreign officials, assassinating foreign leaders, overthrowing governments, and undertaking major military interventions to be rationalized. The political elite determined that if developments in the Persian Gulf could prove harmful to the American standard of living (in the form of access to oil), then United States needed to control that region. This view can be seen in the Carter Doctrine which vows to use “any means necessary, including military force” to prevent a hostile power from controlling the region, signifying the existence of another large area of land to which American interests obligated the United States to interfere with. In an attempt to severe the Soviet Union’s hold in this area, “freedom-fighters” (jihadists) in Afghanistan were supported and funded. This policy would prove to be a danger to the
“If we have to use force, it is because we are America. We are the indispensable nation. We stand tall. We see farther into the future.” –Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Adherence to the current foreign policy ideology has been and will continue to be detrimental to the American people and the world at large. Though political posturing positions Republicans and Democrats against each other on all issues, a consensus has been reached on foreign policy. When one examines the underlying similarities rather than the superficial differences, it is evident that both parties and virtually the entire political elite share a common vision and conform in practice to a longstanding …show more content…
The results of implementing ideology can be a matter of life and death. Ideologies of racial superiority can be seen in the slave trade and the Holocaust, while the idea of laissez-faire leaves the poor without help. Current foreign policy ideology has risked lives, both American and international; it has led to a policy of interventionism and, at times, left the borders of the United States inadequately protected. There is a limited choice in public policy concerning foreign affairs, as evident in the situation of Vietnam, where policymakers discussed a choice between total bombing of Indochina and limited bombing while offering no choice for withdrawal. As those in charge of society—politicians, corporate executives, media owners—can dominate our ideas, they are be secure in their power. The ideas they perpetuate are not accepted by all, but are believed widely and strongly enough to dominate our thinking, while any dissident ideas are challenged and rebuked. The process of ideological selection in which certain orthodox ideas are encouraged, financed, and pushed forward by the most powerful mechanisms of our culture produces only “safe” ideas which don’t threaten established wealth or power. Current foreign policy ideologies do not threaten the might of the military, but instead help increase its …show more content…
Under the guise of an anticommunism effort, policy makers took the opportunity to flex American military muscle in Vietnam, resulting in the waste of billions of dollars and the loss of American lives. Covert affairs to manipulate the government structures of South American countries and preserve those friendly to America were also performed under the guise of anticommunism. America’s status as a protector of freedom—one of the good guys—allowed for the means to be questionable as long as the stated motives were pure, allowing for deeds such as bribing foreign officials, assassinating foreign leaders, overthrowing governments, and undertaking major military interventions to be rationalized. The political elite determined that if developments in the Persian Gulf could prove harmful to the American standard of living (in the form of access to oil), then United States needed to control that region. This view can be seen in the Carter Doctrine which vows to use “any means necessary, including military force” to prevent a hostile power from controlling the region, signifying the existence of another large area of land to which American interests obligated the United States to interfere with. In an attempt to severe the Soviet Union’s hold in this area, “freedom-fighters” (jihadists) in Afghanistan were supported and funded. This policy would prove to be a danger to the