United States Foreign Policy in Term Paper

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2005). Instead of economic and military interventionism, the new American leadership proposed relations based on commerce and, more importantly, diplomacy. The United States would therefore keep interventionism at a minimum.

Because it was based on a keen common sense and core values, FDR's vision came to be known as the "good neighbor" foreign policy. Together with his wife Eleanor, FDR drew up the blueprints for a system based on "common ideals and a community of interest, together with a spirit of cooperation." Rather than seeing other nations as means to promote American interests, FDR believed that American well-being depended heavily on the well-being of its satellite countries as well. This was a direct contrast to the paternalistic attitude that characterized interventionism.

As a result of these non-interventionist policies, FDR was able to build much more goodwill. Thus, by World War II, many Western nations threw their support behind the Allies. In contrast to the interventionist stance of "big stick" policies, FDR reduced the influence of direct U.S. rule and promoted self-determination. These self-determination polices extended beyond the western hemisphere, as FDR supported Philippine independence in 1946

Both interventionism and isolationism are products of their times, as can be seen in their different attitudes towards protectorates and other newly-independent countries.
moved away from the supposed God-given mandate to establish dominion over other societies, supposedly based on American superiority. The subtle rhetoric worked, and FDR gained the region's trust -- a factor that had eluded interventionists.

Today, the pendulum has swung the other way, and the United States is back with interventionist "big stick" style of foreign relations. This country is the only international superpower, and its continued presence in Iraq is seen by many in the region as an unwelcome intervention. The initial impetus for the war was to locate weapons of mass destruction. Today, the stated purpose is to help install a democratic government in Iraq, a clear intervention into another sovereign country's affairs.

An analysis of American foreign policy in the early 20th century shows, however, that there are a number of alternatives. Non-interventionist policies such as diplomacy is an area that has not adequately been explored by the Bush administration, and one that may have far-reaching results. If history is an indicator and with a good-faith effort, it is very possible that the non-interventionist policies can include countries….....

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"United States Foreign Policy In" (2006, July 14) Retrieved May 5, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/united-states-foreign-policy-71009

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"United States Foreign Policy In" 14 July 2006. Web.5 May. 2024. <
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"United States Foreign Policy In", 14 July 2006, Accessed.5 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/united-states-foreign-policy-71009