Traditional Foreign Policy of the U.S.

American Diplomatic Tradition: A curious mixture of Idealism and Realism.

This mixture does not appear in other modern nation states. Most are realistic, and many completely ignore idealism.

Treachery, conspiracy, deceitfulness was advocated in the past. Americans in 1776 could not accept that diplomacy.

As a new nation, we had begun creating an idealism, a dream. Even the colonials came over as idealists. Our revolution took place over an idealism, a battle against corruption. We had developed a tradition of puritan, revolutionary, and democratic moralism and idealism. America institutionalized the severence from the coruption of the old world.

Idealism

Condemns power politics as an evil. A concept of right and wrong, black and white. All ideals and principles are divided between good and evil. Seek eternal peace, welfare for all mankind. But once we accept these as universal values, other foreign values become unacceptable, wrong.

Realism

Henry Kissinger was the foremost advocate. Ideals are an obstacle to establishing equilibrium in the world.

Traditional foreign policy of the U.S.

Isoloationism/Neutrality

The U.S. should stay out of other peoples political tangles.

• Non-Intervention
• Non-Involvement
• No entangling alliances (especially military ones)

Freedom of the seas/Neutral rights.

Necessary to protect commercial activities on the high seas.

Monroe Doctrine

Divide the world into two spheres, eastern and western. Draw a line between the old world and the new world.

• No intervention
• Two hemispheres

Pan-American

Open Door Policy

Specifically concerning China.

• Commercial equal opportunity
• Preservation of American commercial interests

Peaceful Settlement of Disputes

"Democracies don't fight wars."

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