Should We Use Military Force To Protect Our Interests Overseas?

Interventionism Non-interventionism

• A policy of using military force, or the threat of force, to interfere in another nation’s internal affairs.

• U.S. interventionism has often resulted in sending American troops into other countries to protect U.S. interests.

• “Hawks” are those who support the use of military force overseas.

• A policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.

Should We Act Alone or Together with Other Nations?

Unilateralism Multilateralism

• A policy of acting alone –without consulting allies

• Supporters believe that the U.S. should exercise its power without the limitations imposed by allies and international agreements (NATO, UN)

• A policy of acting together with other nations.

• Argues U.S. should work with other nations to solve global problems.

• Argues the use of military force is only legitimate if the international community supports it.

Should American Foreign Policy be Determined by Universal Values or by Our National Interests?

Idealism Realism (“Realpolitik”)• Argues that a country’s

foreign policy should reflect and promote moral values and ideals: Freedom and liberty Democracy Respect for human

rights

• Argues that a country’s foreign policy should promote its own national interests.

• German for the “politics” of reality”

Notable Idealists

On the Left On the Right

Carter Reagan and Dub-ya

Notable Realists

Pragmatists – Stress doing what is practical and possible. Guided by facts rather than ideology.

On the LeftOn the Right

H Dub-yaNixon

Idealism Realism

• Based on doing what’s right and what’s best for the world at large.

• Sees the world as it should be or could be and driven by a desire to change or “save” the world.

• Pragmatic policy of doing whatever is necessary and best for one’s own country.

• Accepts and deals with the world as it really is.

Idealism Realism• Argues that our relations

with other countries should be based on shared values.

Opposes dealing with governments that don’t share our values

No alliances with dictators

• Argues that U.S. relations with other countries should be based on shared interests.

Must deal with all governments– even those we dislike.

Must sometimes ally with dictators that share our goals.

Idealism Realism

• Envisions a global system based on:

International agreements

Multilateral cooperation between states.

(Liberal idealism)

• Favors a global system based on state power.

• States must acquire and use power to defend their interests and to ensure order and stability in the world.

• Strives for a balance of power between the most powerful states.

Idealism Realism• Based on the optimistic

belief that states can learn to live and work together in peace and harmony.

• Based on the more pessimistic belief that states always act in their own interest.

• “World peace” impossible because states will always have opposing interests that lead to competition and conflict.

Idealism Realism

• Argues for humanitarian interventions to make the world a better place

• Cautious about using military force and only supports using it when vital U.S. interests are at stake.

Idealism Realism

•Liberal idealists support interventions to stop human suffering and protect human rights.

•Conservative idealists (neoconservatives) support interventions to expand freedom and spread democracy around the globe.

• Realists believe that what other countries do to their own people shouldn’t be our concern.

• Realists believe that another country’s government is not our business.

• Stability is more important than either democracy or human rights.