Foreign policy is the conduct of the nation’s government in relations with other countries. It encompasses a wide variety of activities including diplomacy, defense policy, foreign aid, and national security. Its broadest meaning includes the promotion of America’s values abroad and the development of international institutions that reflect American interests.
Despite globalization, foreign policy remains one of the most challenging, complex, and vital tasks facing the United States. Ultimately, the question is not whether or not the United States should engage in foreign policy; rather, the question is how to best pursue its goals in a rapidly changing world.
Americanists see great virtue in the fact that America’s primacy allows it to set its own goals unconstrained by other nations, international agreements, or institutions. As Charles Krauthammer puts it, “An unprecedentedly dominant United States must reassert its freedom of action.”
Globalists, by contrast, believe that in an age of rapid change, the world needs to create new institutions and regimes that reflect a growing number of voices. As the architects of the European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and International Monetary Fund demonstrate, a more diverse approach to global governance can reduce the chances of cultural and political tactics that sap the strength of the world’s greatest power.
The reality is that the world faces many serious challenges and problems, ranging from climate change to nuclear proliferation to regional instability in Asia. Both Americanists and Globalists are right that it is important for America to continue building partnerships throughout the world to address these challenges, but to do so successfully requires that Washington upholds democratic values while promoting economic growth. Upholding democracy and human rights requires speaking out against abuses in China, Iran, and Russia; maintaining laws that prohibit the provision of security assistance to abusive regimes; and employing a full range of policy carrots and sticks to encourage democratic development and hold rights violators accountable.
