After having read "The Ugly American," I have identified multiple situations through fictional characters that damaged or diluted foreign relationships and interest abroad. The well-elaborated fictional views in which the authors target the readers, allow those who are seeking an understanding of a diminishing or disconnected relationship with countries and governments abroad, provide an opportunity to intellectually wear the shoes that United States foreign policy manufactures. Multiple Characters throughout this book have provided sound reasons for the problems that we faced even today, with foreign policy. I have identified three characters who represent the good, the bad, and the ugly of foreign policy. The first character "the good," …show more content…
In which he soon after travels to the Philippines and Vietnam to study methods used to combat the communist threat. During his visit to the Philippines, he confides in the minister of defense Ramon Magsaysay, who explains a key method in engaging the communist threat discriminately. He learned that if the image American diplomats portray in foreign countries improved, they become the best ambassador a country can have. He also learned to keep his eyes open for the connection statesmanship, diplomacy, economics, and warfare have in Southeast Asia. McWhite's ability to accept new ideas and communicate cross-culturally provided him with key information needed to effectively combat communism. His actions continue to build on his understandings of the operational environment and are in line with another SOF imperative, engaging the threat discriminately. Hypothetically, meaning McWhite learned he can fight communism by influencing the population through the proper image and actions of American diplomats' who present themselves as equals. These natives can become the threat but if their views and understandings were adjusted by American diplomats' actions, they in turn become the supporter and this pushes the communist
IIII. By presenting multiple points of view in vivid detail, The Good German asks readers to wrestle with the moral and ethical dilemmas facing the United States and the international community after the end of the
In the book, All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, Quinn struggles with conflicting loyalties to both his convictions about the incident and his relationships to the people he loves. While he wants to maintain his relationships he can’t ignore the facts of the incident. His friends and family can’t understand why he is so adamant about standing up for Rashad. While some of his relationships are ultimately damaged by his actions, others survive and heal. He eventually learns that being a loyal friend does not necessarily mean always being in agreement and, in this novel, Quinn demonstrates loyalty to both his friends and his conviction even when the two are in conflict.
Over and over again, Williams illustrates this theme of “American Exceptionalism.” Throughout the book, there are several occurrences in which the “We are the best, and all that we are doing is of benefit to the world” mentality is shown. On one hand, there is nothing wrong with being proud of roots as an American and believing that America is the greatest country, but on the other hand, using this thought process in in order to legitimize the domination and control of other nations unlike America while preaching one set of values and acting on others, is wrong. We see these actions play out time and time again as America invades and controls other countries “to help” them, however, prohibits the country from experiencing the full advantages of self-determination – a value that America claims to hold i.e. a tragedy of American Diplomacy.
The award-winning author, Luis Alberto Urrea, creator of The Hummingbird's Daughter, Into the Beautiful North, and The Devil's Highway, describes The Devil’s Highway which occurred in May of 2001, one of many that impacted the desert on undocumented immigrants. which is a desert located beyond Sonora, Mexico. It is a desert which few turn to in able to cross over. A group of illegal Mexican were left for dead after attempting to cross; they were left stranded after traveling for days in the wrong direction, through mountains, desert and only a small amount of water along with a few personal items. The Devil’s Highway name was set out to one’s belief “bad medicine” (5). Even though the desert is an obstacle itself, there are still other physical
There are two types of Americans that are portrayed in The Ugly American. The two types of Americans portrayed in The Ugly American are the ethnocentric Americans, who believe that their ways are superior to all others, and don’t really care about stopping the spread of communism; and then there are the kind hearted Americans, who truly care about defeating communism. Through multiple characters we learn how these two types of Americans think and how they represent not only themselves, but their country.
Jingoism intwined with governmental policy and “a majority…of Americans…grant[ing] spontaneous consent to foreign policy militancy” influences policies related to foreign and national security in the United States.1 European history of colonialism and imperialism impacted the development of foreign policy and national security. In Culture, National Identity, and the “Myth of America,” Walter L. Hixson leniently critiques American foreign policy, while advocating towards a more “cooperative internationalism.”2 Melvyn P. Leffler in National Security, Core Values, and Power fails to formulate an engaging argument for national security policies reflection of America core values. In reference to foreign and national security policy, both Hixson and Leffler refer to the impact of hegemony, with Leffler’s mention succinct and without specific detail. In the United States, foreign policy leans towards jingoism, while national security policy develops from general core values.
The foreign policy of the United States can be defined as a labyrinth- a set of complex intricacies which either lack comprehension or are characterized by meticulous thought. Established during a period of ideological warfare and domestic hysteria, it is evident the Truman Doctrine was conceived with a disregard for the future stability of American international affairs. Engulfed within a period marked by massive power struggles and distorted accusations, the Truman Doctrine may appear minimal in regard to alterations of the United States international attitude. However, the Doctrine acted as a catalyst for the shift in America’s foreign policy objectives and vision. It is clear the Truman Doctrine produced detrimental consequences in regard to the international policy of the United States, stability of foreign countries, and continuing repercussions in the modern day.
The next character I will mention is Honorable Gilbert MacWhite, who replaced Ambassador Sears in Sarkhan. This character functioned in complete contrast to Sears. He understood the sensitivity of the US mission in Sarkhan and how vulnerable the Sarkhanese government was to potential communist influences. He also understood the communist threat and did not underestimate it. MacWhite’s understanding of the operational environment was clear from the beginning and made constant efforts in understanding the people of Sarkhan.
Intelligent, compassionate, and inspirational are three words that perfectly describe the exceptional man that is Dr. Pedro J. Greer, Jr. His life’s work is defined by the medical help and attention he provided to the homeless and downtrodden citizens of Miami, Florida. In his autobiography, Waking Up in America, Dr. Greer recounts two events that charted a career course aimed at working with the poor, and giving hope to those marginalized in the community.
With the race for the presidential election under way, American foreign policy has entered the minds of many Americans. Like today, foreign policy was of great importance throughout the twentieth-century; it has and continues to play key developmental roles in economic, cultural, diplomatic, and social factors that America has faced. By looking directly at the United States motivation in entering the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II, it can be seen how these factors developed since the turn-of-the-century. In this paper, I will compare and contrast the United States’ motivation for entering these wars by examining the four key factors of foreign policy listed
However, the organization of the book proved to be beneficial to Williams’ it successfully portrays why he wrote the book and how passionately he felt about its topics. The Tragedy of American Diplomacy follows and critiques the twentieth century belief that the substantial surge of growth in the nineteenth century was crucial to the opulence and security to go forward in America. He highlights the distinction between this idea and the determined quest of expansion with the belief of many Americans that this “economic intervention” would usher in wealth and tranquility to the rest of the world. The tragedy that Williams informs us about is purely ironic because, The American ideals at the time contradict with what was
After U.S. had an isolationist foreign policy for a long time, U.S. has shifted its power from isolationism to the internationalism. In international relations, united states is the dominate force, which has the biggest military arsenal in the world. However, the position on how the United States should deal with terror is not only relay on the preeminent power that American security has. It also depends on the policymaker. According to James N. Rosenau, the foreign policy can be influenced by five potential resources(Michael Cox &Doug Stokes p6). There are external government, social environments, government structure, bureaucratic roles and personalities of individuals. The directions in U.S. foreign policy moves differently because
American foreign policy has gradually changed since the birth of our nation. On July 4, 1891, John Quincy Adams addressed the Senate and House of Representatives during a powerful Independence Day speech designed to prevent an alliance with the Greeks against the Ottoman Empire. Although sympathetic to their cause, he warned against involving America in other states’ affairs, stating,” America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to Freedom and independence of all”. This paper seeks to evaluate the implications of John Quincy Adams’ statement, examine the trends of foreign policy and national security from the late nineteenth century to the present, and address current policy issues regarding
As we approach the next Presidential election the topic of American foreign policy is once again in the spotlight. In this paper, I will examine four major objectives of U.S. foreign policy that have persisted throughout the twentieth century and will discuss the effect of each on our nation’s recent history, with particular focus on key leaders who espoused each objective at various times. In addition, I will relate the effects of American foreign policy objectives, with special attention to their impact on the American middle class. Most importantly, this paper will discuss America’s involvement in WWI, WWII, and the Cold War to the anticipated fulfillment of these objectives—democracy,
In “The Journey to the West,” the monk was accompanied by Pigsy, the Sha Monk, the Handsome Monkey King, and the horse. Each of these supporting characters possess a certain magical ability that assisted the monk on his journey, additionally they had their own flaws. This contrasts the monk, which has no magical ability and was devoted buddhism. The strengths, weaknesses, and backgrounds of these supporting characters encapsulate the idea of buddhism throughout the novel, and by including them and Xuanzang the book is able to summarize the idea of buddhism.