The United States and Foreign Affairs
Tate Tankersley
Ms. Scannell
English IV Honors
December 20, 2016
The United States of America’s economy and military is far too involved in foreign affairs. Foreign affairs are policies of a government in dealing with other countries or with activities overseas, government offices or departments. The United States has always been involved in Foreign affairs since its creation. Although foreign affairs are vital for the sake of the United States of America, the nation is becoming part of relationships and disputes that it should not be. There are many intentions of the United States Foreign Affairs. Some of the intentions are: to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and
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Many people ask whether or not the nation is too involved in foreign affairs. There are many arguments for both sides of the dilemma, but one side poses more evidence than the other. The United States is far too involved around the world through its economy and military dealings with other countries and organizations.
The United States economy has always been a major part of the world economy as a whole. Through the United States borrowing money and buying imports to the United States bailing out big global companies and exporting goods all around the world. Without imports, the United States would not have many of the goods that we do. On the same hand, if the United States did not export goods, other countries would not have necessary products. We export and import everything from petroleum products to grains and food products that feed the world. Yes, it is good that the United States is involved in foreign affairs such as global trade, because not only the United States depends on it, but the countries that the United States exports to depend on United States products. The United States brings in millions of dollars from selling exports such as corn, soybeans, and cash crops such as tobacco. But because of the global trade market being a two way street, the United States imports a lot of goods. Due to that, the United States’ economy is spending more than it can afford. It has amassed a very large debt. The
The end of the nineteenth century marked a significant change in the American foreign policy. Prior to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, America had paid little attention to foreign affairs. When compared to some of the more powerful European countries, such as France, Germany, and Great Britain, the United States had a
Throughout the course of history, the United States has remained consistent with its national interest by taking many different actions in foreign policy. There have been both immediate and long term results of these actions. Foreign policy is the United States policy that defines how we deal with other countries economically and politically. It is made by congress, the president, and the people. Some of the motivations for United States foreign policy are national security, economics, and idealism. The United States entry into World War I in 1917 and the escalation of the Vietnam War in 1964 and the both had great impact on the United States.
Domestic policy differs from foreign policy, which deals with a nation’s relationship with other nations, domestic policy tends to be more visible and often more controversial. The relationship between domestic and the other nations is also commonly linked by the influence of border security, improved infrastructure, surging economy, domestic culture, political, religion, social attitudes, and many other variables. American focus on national security strategies to protect the United States, promoting economic prosperity, creating peace through strength, and gaining American influences in the world. Our relationship with other nations can vary depending on each belief or values. A basic aspect in the relation between domestic and other nations is the importance of national identity and consistent needs to protect such values. Domestic and foreign policy can be distinguished as two separate concepts in international relations, because some nations do not have a similar set of objectives. Domestic sources play their role in the forms of compromises between social structure and elements of the government. The influence of the domestic policy forms the basis of foreign strategy. The relationship between domestic and other nations are separable in the sense that global politics play a major role in the modern global society and the conduct of states in
The United States has been a super power for decades, and since America has always involved themselves in other countries' problems. Instead of isolationism, the country has practiced getting involved. Since the Monroe Presidency, America has been named the World's police force. Dispelling anarchists, and stopping coos, the united states portrays itself as the world protector. Since Monroe, some Americans have felt that isolation is the way to go, and most feel that it is our right to offer assistance. Two recent incidents, Operation Desert Storm and The War in Bosnia have allowed the United States to show off it's strength, both on the military and political level. It has also given the chance for America to evaluate it's foreign policy,
The U.S. foreign policy has always been linked to the domestic policy since the U.S. never feared of expanding its national interests over the national boarders. Isolation for the U.S. usually implied slow economic growth and the large number of destructive conflicts within, while impudent foreign policy always guaranteed an abrupt economic growth for the U.S. economy. After the U.S. intervened in the WWI and the WWII, the U.S. economy witnessed a tremendous economic growth, nearly elimination of the unemployment, rapid urbanization and overall growth of the standards of living across the country. Decisive foreign policy has always been providing the U.S. economy with the sustainable and rapid economic growth, unlike the policy aimed at isolation of the U.S.
The foreign policy of the United States has changed drastically between eras. During the Gilded Age, America experienced isolationism. The US focused on expanding their borders locally and seizing control of Central America. With the first rise of global and total war, America transitioned to being somewhat interested in foreign affairs while still staying neutral to its own cause. However, that did not last long with America's hand forced and entered World War I as an associate to the Allied Powers. Twenty years after World War I, another World War started after Germany wanted revenge for their “unfair” treatment. America was once again forced into the war after Japan, Germanys ally, surprise attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. After the end of World War II, American isolationism completely ended and the US found itself as a global superpower. With the end of the world wars came a Cold War solely focused between the US and the Soviet Union. The US got itself into unwinnable wars, attempts to overthrow communist regimes, a weapons race, and a technology race. Foreign policy shifts between Détente and escalation. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Cold War came to an end and America focused on allies and trade. The long peace ended with the September 11 attacks. These attacks launched America into a War on Terrorism, and they adopted the Bush Doctrine. Over the course of American history, foreign policy transitioned from isolationism into the “Empire of Liberty,”
The American foreign policy changed over time has reflected in its national interest. Foreign policy is a major issue for the people today is because after the terrorists attacked in Paris, they killed over a hundred people. Therefore, the United States wants to go start a war with terrorists in Isis. But Congress prevents the United States from going in war with Isis.They claim if they were start a war with Isis, it will promotes more terrorists in the country. Also, they said it would be better if the United States were to stay neutral and stay away from foreign affairs. Although, the country wasn’t entirely sure if it’s the right thing to ignore other countries’ problems while they are dealing with terrorists. It is the United States’ job and responsibility to intervene in countries and give them support against terrorists. There are times when the United States are stay in insolation, at first, but eventually they start invade in other countries. They only invade in other countries while they might threaten their economic resources, industrial trade or businesses and the people. For an example, in World War I, when the British was fighting against the Axis Powers in Europe, they asked the United States to come join them, but they denied their request multiple times. The United States doesn’t want to be in the conflict or involved with war problems Thus, they ignored them most during World War I. But, in regards to the Germans had attacked the Lusitania ship
For years America has been seen as the world’s hero swooping in and saving the day from foreign bad guys, or at least that’s America sees itself as. To many other countries however America is often seen as the world’s bully or just a nuisance. The United States has had many positive impacts on the world and those seem to over shadow the large number of negative impacts it has imposed as well. The world has been changed by the U.S. in both positive and negative ways, and this is due to the alternating use of internationalism and isolationism. Throughout the United States’ existence both foreign polices have existed, but rarely have them been used at the came time. In the present day the U.S. has mainly focused on internationalism. This has
The role of the United States during the Spanish-American War, World War 1, and the entrance into the League of Nations is very debatable. It is arguable that the United States should have played an active role if they were going to open the doors to international trade. The welfare of the world rightfully should have been a concern to the United States; however, the United States government should not have been so arrogant in assuming that other countries needed to be under American rule. Woodrow Wilson was elected president in 1912, and was known to be very self-righteous. Wilson was determined to “impose his standards for proper conduct on what he saw as renegade nations” (Tindall and Shi, 747).
Over the course of the history of the United States, specific foreign policies have affected the methods in which the U.S. involves itself around the globe. Specifically, certain policies have affected U.S. involvement in Latin America.
Through the nineteenth century, America concentrated on conquering the West from the Natives, and to remain in isolation from the foreign sectors of the world. Once industrialized and more robust, it began looking for markets and colonies overseas. U.S foreign was designed to secure and open the door for trading internationally. More importantly foreign policy secure alliance and defense to protect its national interests around the world.. Initially, U.S foreign policy had great intentions because it favored self-determination of nations for independence. Also, it supported nations that were democratic. Nevertheless, U.S foreign policy also at times contradicted and struggled with realities of
Since World War II, the United States foreign policy has metastasised to a global level. The United States has taken the position as the global police. We have done countless interventions to “better” the good of the world and its people. Yet, it seems we have forgotten about Americans themselves, who have to deal with the enormous costs of these interventions. When a tyrannous dictator takes control of a country in some far flung part of the world, the United States steps in. We use American soldiers and taxpayers dollars to oust the dictator. Then when a vacuum is created we go back and fight the terrorist group which has taken over. This has happened too many times. It shows the weakness of our foreign policy system. The cost of our military, foreign interventions, and aid has gotten out of control for a country with looming debt problems. As of 2015, military spending has taken up fifty four percent of our discretionary spending, coming out to a total of $598.5 billion dollars (Nationalpriorities.org). Additionally, $195 billion is going outside the United States to fund foreign bases and aid (Politico.com). United
The end of the cold war obligated the United States once again to face the old problems which weren’t based on containment of communism. Like in the aftermath of World War 2 when America’s influence in the world was expanded, the end of the Cold War did much of the same. The problem’s the Soviet Union once had of controlling and influencing smaller countries under its thumb, now were inherited by the last super power standing, which at the time was the United States. Debate began to rise on what path America should take next on foreign policy, should the U.S commit itself to small problems or hold back its fire until a greater threat emerged?
In their book American Foreign Policy since World War 2, Steven W. Hook, and John Spanier take a historical look at American foreign policy. Since its independence, all through to the start of the 20th century, the United States had a policy of detachment. This was rooted in the believe that Europe, the only other meaningful powerful in the world in the 18th and 19th century, had intrinsic issues related to feudism that kept the continent in a constant state of war (Hook & Spanier, 2015). The U.S on its part was far away from Europe and had a unique chance to chart a different course, one free from the troubles of Europe. As a democracy free from the class systems of Europe and hence maintain peace and stability (Hook & Spanier, 2015). To maintain this peace and stability, it was in the United States interests to maintain detachment from Europe. In fact, Monroe wrote that Europe and its flawed system was evil and America should strive as much as possible to stay away from it (Hook & Spanier, 2015). However, in the 20th century, this policy of detachment was put to the test when the United States was drawn into the first and second world wars by external factors. This led the United States to get more engaged in global affairs. The idea behind engagement was to promote the ideals of democracy which, the U.S believed were the pillars of peace, as well as to protect itself from aggressors like Japan in the Second World War. After the
As with all policy making, many people and organizations have a hand in setting United States foreign policy. The main goals of foreign policy is to use diplomacy — or talking, meeting, and creating agreements — to solve international issues. They try to keep problems from developing into conflicts that require military settlements.