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American Foreign Policy
Throughout history, American foreign policy has been drafted to dictate how the state interacts with other countries on the international level (Hook 1). Because the United States is one of the most influential states in the world, this policy sets the standards on how the sate interrelates with other states, with the biggest emphasis being placed on promoting national interest for the citizens of the states. Accordingly, American foreign policy has undergone some changes owing to the changes in the ways most nations interact with each other at the international front. This policy is largely affected by some factors such as wars, and international trade policies among other things (Hook 3). A closer examination of America’s history reveals that there is a big difference between the U.S foreign policy before the World War II and after.
As research studies illustrate, American foreign policy before the World War II was predominantly considered as being “isolationist”. This means that America rarely got involved with the affairs of other countries (Hook 7). Instead, America believed that each nation’s problems was their own, and the state had no business trying to get involved with solving these problems not unless they directly affected the US. Observably, the US stayed clear of wars that had no relation to them and only engaged in wars that were directed to them and threatened national security. However, After the World War II, American foreign policy underwent a great change and the state embraced more involvement in international relations. After the World War II the American foreign policy was designed based on the assumption that threats to peace and freedom in other countries and states directly affected the state of affairs in the US (Hook 15). Those involved with the formulation of the American foreign policy argued that America’s ignorance of foreign threats would, in one way or another, affect the state. That the problems experienced by other states would eventually find way to the American society, and for that reason, the US needed to play a large role regarding international matters and state of affairs. Accordingly, the American foreign policy became what historians deem as “internationalist”, as the state believed in exploiting their power and resources to help other countries that were unable to solve their problems (Hook 17). By doing this, the US was hopeful that they would reduce the consequences of threats such as wars, if not prevent such events in the first place.
Accordingly, there has been plenty of debate regarding the changes that occurred in the American foreign policy before and after World War II, with most people arguing on the usefulness of these changes (Holsti 1-257). While most believe that these changes have been beneficial to America, as well as, other states in relation to reducing international threats, others believe that these changes have been detrimental to the America and the rest of the world.
This paper argues that most changes that occurred in the American foreign policy from the end of World War II through the Vietnam War were primarily detrimental to America. Specifically the paper will argue out this hypothesis on three main perspectives including political, economic, and social disparagement.
Why Changes in the American Foreign Policy were Detrimental
As previously mentioned, various changes occurred in the American foreign policy after the Word War II. American presidents during this time strongly believed in the involvement of the state in almost all international affairs regardless of whether or not these affairs directly affected the state. The changes that occurred in the American foreign policy were detrimental to the state, as well as, all other involved states primarily because they encouraged more war than peace (Holsti 1-257). What was dabbed as peaceful involvement was closely transformed into the search for power and control, and the state slowly became interest in power and control instead of the need for peace. This is clearly illustrated in the US’s reaction during the My Lai Massacre when US soldiers to “get even” with the Vietnamese military, that saw the destruction of many towns even though it was clear that the War was not directed to the US. For that reason, the Vietnam War was characterized my more deaths, as compared to, peace negotiations, that were originally the foundation of the American foreign policy. Accordingly, the changes in the American foreign policy are considered as being detrimental in three mains ways. Research studies argue that these changes in the American foreign policy are causative of political disparagement, economic disparagement, and social disparagement (Holsti 1-257).
Political Disparagement
Political disparagement refers to the lack of interest in the consequences of American political involvement in international affairs. The argument regarding political disparagement as a result of the American foreign policy is based observations of American attitude towards their involvement in political affair. Because these changes encouraged more American involvement in international matters, there have been issues regarding ethics within the political structure (Holsti 1-257). For example, American political leaders and authorities during Nixon’s tenure were accused of embracing illegal and unethical approaches to international involvement. Specifically, these authorities fabricated documents and blackmailed any authorities challenging their democratic ways. This was interpreted as the need for power and control, as opposed, to catering for the needs of citizens affected by problems.
Economic Disparagement
The years before the World War II saw a considerable amount of economic growth in America. However, the years after the World War II to date have been characterized by economic deterioration, which researchers argue is a result of changes in American foreign policy. Economic disparagement arises when individuals fail to realize the effects of American involvement in foreign affairs on their economic systems and structures. The years after the war saw an increase in economic disparity between the rich and the poor (Holsti 1-257). The American government, was and still is, spending a lot of money on wars and international involvement than it is in promoting economic growth for the state. The changes in the American foreign policy saw the US spend more than it takes in and for that reason forced the state into various economic downturns such as the recession and the current debt crisis.
Social Disparagement
Social disparagement refers to the state at which citizens of a state fail to realize the effects on American involvement in international affairs on their social structure. Research studies illustrate that the changes in American foreign policy after the World War II had various effects on the social structures and systems in the US. These changes in the foreign policy also changed how Americans viewed each other and their roles in the society. There was an increase in racial and gender discrimination, and the American family structure, among other things (Holsti 1-257).
Work Cited
Holsti, Ole R. Public Opinion and American Foreign Policy. USA: University of Michigan
Press, 1996. Print.
Hook, Stevens and Spanier, John W. American Foreign Policy Since World War II. USA: CQ
Press, 2006. Print.
