THE COMMON SENSE

In: The national interest, Band 47, S. 81-88

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS TEN PROPOSITIONS ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION THAT BEAR IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF FOREIGN POLICY IN THIS NEW ERA. 1) THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DOES NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT SEEMS READY TO CARE IF THERE IS A REASON TO DO SO. 2) THE PUBLIC UNDERTAKES A SENSIBLE COST-BENEFIT ACCOUNTING WHEN EVALUATING FOREIGN AFFAIRS. 3) THE PUBLIC'S ATTITUDES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ARE SET BY THE OBJECTIVE CONTENT OF THE ISSUE AND BY THE POSITION OF MAJOR POLICYMAKERS. 4) THE "CNN EFFECT" IS VASTLY EXAGGERATED. 5) FOREIGN POLICY HAS BECOME LESS IMPORTANT IN JUDGING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRESIDENT. 6) THE ADVANTAGE TO A PRESIDENT OF A SUCCESS IN A MINOR FOREIGN POLICY VENTURE IS MARGINAL. 7) IF THEY ARE NOT BEING KILLED, AMERICAN TROOPS CAN REMAIN IN PEACEKEEPING VENTURES VIRTUALLY INDEFINITELY WITH LITTLE PUBLIC CRITICISM. 8) A VENTURE DEEMED OF SMALL IMPORTANCE IS BEST SOLD AS INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK THAT CAN BE SHRUGGED OFF IF IT GOES WRONG. 9) A DANGER IN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IS THAT AMERICANS MIGHT BE TAKEN HOSTAGE. 10) NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF ROGUE STATES AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM REMAIN POTENTIALLY ATTENTION ARRESTING CONCERNS.