Question 1
Should we be actively involved in world affairs?
Isolationism
 A policy of withdraw
and non-involvement
in world affairs.
 Means avoiding alliances
and following a policy of
strict neutrality .
Isolationism (con’t)
 U.S. isolationism was
primarily directed
against Europe.
 Meant U.S. tried to
stay out of Europe’s
politics and wars.
Isolationism (con’t)
 Taken to the extreme, a
policy of trying to avoid
war may result in
appeasement.
 What is appeasement?
A policy of buying off
an aggressor by giving
in to its demands.
Question 1 (con’t)
Should we be actively involved in world affairs?
Internationalism
 Policy of engagement
with other nations and
of active involvement
in world affairs.
Before WWII
Was Dr. Seuss an Internationalist or an Isolationist?
Question 2
Should we use military force to protect our
national interests overseas?
Interventionism
 The use of military
force to intervene in
another nation’s
internal affairs.
 U.S. has frequently
used military force to
protect its interests
overseas.
Question 2
Should we use military force to protect our
national interests overseas?
Non-interventionism
 Opposition to military
interventions overseas.
 Supporters include the
anti-war Left on the
political spectrum.
 Some supporters may
be pacifists.
Hawks vs. Doves
Interventionism
Non-interventionism
Question 3
Should we act alone or with other nations?
Unilateralism
 A policy of acting
alone –without
consulting allies.
 Based on belief that
U.S. should exercise its
power without the
limitations imposed by
alliances, treaties, and
other international
agreements.
Question 3 (con’t)
Should we act alone or with other nations?
Multilateralism
 A policy of acting together
with other nations.
 Argues U.S. must work
with other nations to solve
global problems.
 Opposes the use of military
force without international
support.
Question 4
Should our foreign policy be determined by
moral values or by national interests?
Idealism
 Foreign policy should
reflect our moral values
and ideals.
 Examples of these ideals?





Freedom and liberty
Democracy
Tolerance
Equality
Respect for human
rights.
Question 4
Should our foreign policy be determined by
moral values or by national interests?
Realism (“Realpolitik”)
 Foreign policy should
promote our national
interests.
 Economic interests
 Security interests
 Strategic interests
Realists are Pragmatists
 Actions determined by
what is practical and
possible.
 Willing to try anything
that works.
 Actions based on results
instead of ideology.
Idealism
Realism
 Stresses need to do
what’s morally right
…
 Stresses need to do
whatever is necessary
…
 …and what’s best for
the world at large.
 … and what’s best for
one’s own country.
Should we accept or try to change the world?
Idealists
 Imagine the world as
it should be or could
be.
 Driven by a desire to
change or “save” the
world.
Realists
 Accept and deal with
the world as it really
is.
Our alliances should be based on what?
Idealists
 Relations with other
countries should be
based on shared
values.
 No alliances with
dictators or with
governments that
deny human rights.
Realists
 Relations with other
countries should be
based on shared
interests.
 Must deal with all types
of governments.
 Sometimes necessary to
ally with dictators that
share our goals.
Notable Idealists
On the Left
Woodrow Wilson
Jimmy Carter
On the Right
Ronald Reagan
George W. Bush
Notable Realists
Richard Nixon and
Henry Kisinger
Gates, Obama, and Clinton
George H.W. Bush
Realpolitik
Also Realpolitik
U.S. Alliances Based on Realpolitik
World War II
Our alliance with Stalin
Our common enemy
U.S. Foreign Policy Based on Realpolitik
Nixon Goes to China, 1972
Nixon and Mao Zedong
U.S. Foreign Policy Based on Realpolitik
U.S. – Chinese Relations Today
Obama and Chinese Premier Hu Jintao
How does this
cartoon show
the conflict
between our
ideals and our
interests when
it comes to
U.S. relations
with China?
U.S. Foreign Policy Based on Realpolitik
U.S. – Iran Relations Today: ISIS
Should we work with Iran?