Read the summary and the most important questions on International Security in historical perspective

• 1 The dynamics of American foreign policy

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• The dynamics of American foreign policy

  - Realists: Republican party, Bush sr. & jr. liberal in international relations, Reagan was a bit of both. - Liberals: US > Democrat/green party, left spectrum of mainstream parties. political tradition Europe: central right

• Some writers make a distinction between: - defensive realism, and offensive realism

  Some writers make a distinction between: - defensive realism: react to treats of their security and; - offensive realism: act more proactively, prevent treats from becoming bigger.

• What is american foreign polcy to offensive realism?

  American foreign policy is partially applicable to offensive realism > until the 1930s the USA was an island, it was separated from other great powers, water free stretch of protection, no competitor on its continent.

• How does america have huge advantage ?

  Huge advantage to its competitors, driven by certain maxims: 1. other power become a great power on the US continent and; 2. not allow one great power to dominate other important economic centres (Western Europe, Eastern Asia).

• John Locke > liberal political philosopher.

  Balanced nature: self-preservation and a social animal, is able to learn from its mistakes

• Amercian foreign policy started?

  American foreign policy starts with the American Civil War > Declaration of Independence 4th of July 1776: act of foreign policy. Alliance France and USA: one condition was the independence from GreatBritain > big risk but it worked out well. F

• What is the farewell adress?

  Farewell Address 1796 (open letter to the newspapers):

• What is the americian foreign policy after this?

  we are an island. European foreign policy: form alliances because they are on one continent. Most secure way to deal with Europe is to stay away from it, we belong to a different geographical and political continent. USA does not act one beforehand. It means the USA will use little instruments and money and will not get into alliances that are not really necessary. Britain and France will never concur to give USA to one another so they will fight each other

• What is the monroe docterine?

  Monroe doctrine 1823: secretary of state John Quincy Adams > we will not allow a stronger than Spain European power a stronger foothold in Latin-America. The British would not colonize Latin-America and the French were not allowed but if they had free trade and independent economies the British would dominate it > the USA can shield itself behind the British navy

• What is another way to look at the farewell adress?

  Other way to look at the Farewell Address (Thomas Jefferson): it focusses on the idea of moral isolation > taking moral high ground, basis of consent of long-term American foreign policy. Unilateralism: you will act on your own interest on your own