Christen Hall
World Politics
Dr. Brennan
November 3, 2003
Why National Security?
Because of its role as a (if not the) major world superpower, the United States must carefully consider its national foreign policy goals. Although they may be carried out very differently from administration to administration, the primary goals of American foreign policy (in their most general senses) are most effective when they remain constant over time. Historically, the United States has pursued a number of foreign policy goals, but one goal has been and continues to be a primary goal of every generation: national security. Why is the pursuit of national security-the protecting of territorial integrity, including American values, lives, property, and way of life--essential to U.S. foreign policy?
The Realists point to several factors that demonstrate the importance of national security. They begin by declaring that humans are naturally aggressive and instinctively fight one another. This human tendency reveals the inevitable nature of war; thus, it also clearly points to the need for strong national security to protect oneself in times of such aggression. The Realists also point out that the world system is anarchic and that states are the only real actors in world politics. According to the Realists, because states (especially the most powerful) are the actual decision makers in intergovernmental organizations, the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other U.S. alliances act only according to the ideas of the United States and other powerful countries. These entities do not make real decisions without U.S. approval and, thus, act simply as extensions of U.S. foreign policy. The organizations depend on the United States (and other states) more than the U.S. depends on them. This Realist argument, simply stated, explains is that the United States must protect itself because no other entity will or can defend it; they all depend on the U.S. to help protect them.
World Politics
Dr. Brennan
November 3, 2003
Why National Security?
Because of its role as a (if not the) major world superpower, the United States must carefully consider its national foreign policy goals. Although they may be carried out very differently from administration to administration, the primary goals of American foreign policy (in their most general senses) are most effective when they remain constant over time. Historically, the United States has pursued a number of foreign policy goals, but one goal has been and continues to be a primary goal of every generation: national security. Why is the pursuit of national security-the protecting of territorial integrity, including American values, lives, property, and way of life--essential to U.S. foreign policy?
The Realists point to several factors that demonstrate the importance of national security. They begin by declaring that humans are naturally aggressive and instinctively fight one another. This human tendency reveals the inevitable nature of war; thus, it also clearly points to the need for strong national security to protect oneself in times of such aggression. The Realists also point out that the world system is anarchic and that states are the only real actors in world politics. According to the Realists, because states (especially the most powerful) are the actual decision makers in intergovernmental organizations, the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other U.S. alliances act only according to the ideas of the United States and other powerful countries. These entities do not make real decisions without U.S. approval and, thus, act simply as extensions of U.S. foreign policy. The organizations depend on the United States (and other states) more than the U.S. depends on them. This Realist argument, simply stated, explains is that the United States must protect itself because no other entity will or can defend it; they all depend on the U.S. to help protect them.
