BOTTOM-UP FOREIGN POLICY

In: FP, Band 104, S. 35-53

Abstract

IN THE POST-COLD WAR WORLD, TWO U.S. ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE TRIED AND FAILED TO CONSTRUCT A FOREIGN POLICY THAT ENJOYS POLITICAL ACCEPTANCE WITHIN THE COUNTRY AT LARGE. BECAUSE BUSH'S NEW WORLD ORDER AND CLINTON'S DOCTRINE OF ENLARGEMENT HAVE BEEN FOUND WANTING, AN ALTERNATIVE VISION OF FOREIGN POLICY MUST BE CONSIDERED. TWO POSSIBLE OPTIONS INCLUDE: AMERICA'S ABANDONMENT OF ITS HEGEMONIC PRETENSIONS, AND AMERICA'S FOCUS ON COUNTRIES, SUCH AS CHINA, THAT DETERMINE THE OVERALL CHARACTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM. THE LEADERS OF AMERICA MUST ALSO BEGIN TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF THE AVERAGE AMERICAN IF FAITH IN AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP ABILITY IS TO BE RESTORED.