American Foreign Policy

Final essay guidelines

Essay due Finals week (by Friday noon)

In 2008 the US seems at an odd place in terms of our understanding of where our foreign policy should be heading.  Opposition to the Iraq war is intense, as President Bush is more unpopular than any President in modern history (though not much below Carter, Nixon and Truman’s lows).   Yet Hillary Clinton can talk about ‘obliterating Iran’ and get credit for showing toughness.   John McCain, thought to be out of contention due to his hawkishness, emerged as the GOP nominee.  And, for all the talk about Iraq being a failure, the US Congress continues to improve funding the war.

Fukuyama offers an interesting perspective on this.  Most Americans don’t consider the US to be the modern Rome.  Even Johnson noted that his view of US policy isn’t that of most citizens.  Most still have a belief that the US can and should be a force for good in the world.  However, it could be that a tendency towards militarism (a belief military solutions are effective and a good way to deal with problems) and over-estimation of the ability to project power have led to policy choices that contradict our goals and ideals.  Fukuyama believes that a mix of affirming our desire to expand political and economic development and act assertively in the world and an embrace of multilateral institution, soft power, and less bombastic ‘tough talk’ would go a long way to more effectively achieving the goals of ‘realistic Wilsoniansim.’

Johnson, on the other hand, while no doubt seeing Fukuyama’s ideas as an improvement, still thinks we are an overstretched imperial power, driven less by the goals Fukuyama describes, and more by corporate and short term political interests.  This he considers a threat to our Republic, and the only way to dampen this is to fundamentally change American foreign policy to one where the government is far less powerful and militarist.

It is early 2009.  The new President has justasked you to write a vision statement of American foreign policy.  “I believe,” he or she says, “this book has some great ideas.”  The President hands you a copy of Fukuyama’s book.  “Have you read it?”

            “Of course,” you reply, thankful that UMF prepared you so well in POS 204.

            “Do you think his policy vision make sense,” the President asks.  “If so, why.  If you disagree, on what major points do you disagree with Fukuyama about.  Finally, I want you to conclude with some concrete policy proposals on how we can turn our foreign policy around and give it the stamp of a new administration.”

            “I’ll get on it right away, Mr(s) President!”

            “Oh, I want to see cites that show you really read and considered this book, and perhaps a few other sources as useful.”