Modern US Foreign Policy Options
Nuclear
Policies
Non-Proliferation
- The US
opposes the spread of nuclear weapons technology beyond those countries that
already have the capacity.
M(utually)
A(ssured) D(estruction) - If attacked with nuclear weapons, the US will likely reply in kind.
No
First Strike
- The US will not strike first with nuclear weapons, (except possibly in the
case of the Bush Doctrine below).
Limited
Disarmament -
The US seeks to reduce world nuclear weapons stockpiles to a "sensible level." The US reserves the right to maintain, at
present, a 2,000 warhead arsenal.
Nuclear
Secrecy -
The US refuses to give specific information about the nuclear capabilities of
its troops, ships, or aircraft. We will
not announce whether a ship visiting a foreign port carries nuclear weapons or
not.
National
Security -
The US needs to ensure its own safety before all else. We need to be sure that no country is in a
position to invade us or do us damage.
US
Command of US Troops - The US will not place its troops under foreign command. Our troops must be commanded by our
officers.
The
Bush Doctrine (tentative
name) - The US will intervene in the affairs of a foreign nation if that nation
works to develop weapons of mass destruction that threaten the United
States. We will do whatever is
necessary to stop the development of W.M.D., even if that means striking
preemptively and without the support of the international community.
Balance
of Power -
The US seeks to manipulate foreign regions to ensure that no one nation becomes
too powerful in any given region. The
US tries to make sure that in any region, there are two nations of equal
strength. That way, there is no way
that one nation can take over an entire area.
If one nation takes over a region, it could threaten the US or stop
trade.
Respect
for the UN
- The US supports the efforts of the United Nations to create a peaceful and
lawful international community. We
reserve the right not to be bound by UN decisions if they violate our national
security.
Support
for Liberty, and then Democracy - The US will support the international spread of
the ideals of liberty and democracy, in that order. We believe in the basic human rights of free speech, freedom to
property ownership, freedom of religion, respect for law, and the like. When those rights are in place, we also
support democracy. When confronted with
a choice between democratic authoritarianism, in Turkey for example, and
liberty, we will support respect for liberty over democracy.
Containment
- The US
will oppose the spread of communism outside of its borders at any given moment.
Inviolability
of US, US Troops, and US Diplomats - The US refuses to recognize world court
prosecution of US citizens for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or crimes
against property. US citizens must be
tried in US courts, unless we say otherwise.
The
Truman Doctrine - It is the policy of the US to support free peoples who are resisting
attempted subjugation (conquest) by armed minorities or by outside pressure.
Right
of Self-Determination - The US supports the right of any given people to control their own
destiny through democratic and peaceful means.
As such, we oppose colonialism, wars of territorial aggression, and the
oppression of national minorities within any given nation. This policy is a matter of convenience; we
do not enforce it if it would harm one of our allies or cause trouble.
Respect
for Property Rights - The US will protect the property rights, physical and intellectual,
of its citizens. The US is also
unlikely to be friendly towards countries that do not respect the property
rights of their own citizens.
Promotion
of Capitalism
- The US will promote the ideas of capitalism abroad. We are more likely to be friendly with strongly capitalist
countries. We will avoid trade and
friendly relations with communist counties.
Free
Trade - The
US supports the freedom of the seas, freedom to trade between willing peoples,
and low tariffs generally. The US sees
free trade as an end in itself, but also believes that increasing trade between
nations will improve the general welfare and solidify world peace.
No
Entangling Alliances - The US prefers not to be tied down by international agreements or
treaties when they will draw the US into trouble or restrict its ability to
maneuver. This policy was much more
important in early US history.
Isolationism - The US prefers to go it
alone. We do not see a need to get
involved in the affairs of other nations unless it is absolutely
necessary. We wish to be likewise left
alone.
City
on a Hill -
City on a Hill strengthens the isolation theme. Since our early history, the US has seen itself as a "City
upon a Hill," an example to other nations. We are the most just and perfect nation. If we just do our wonderful thing, the rest
of the world can watch us and learn from our example.
Monroe
Doctrine -
The US will allow no other countries to set up powerful influence anywhere in
North, South, or Central America.
Monroe also said that the US would not interfere in European
politics. This is an old policy.
The
Roosevelt Corollary - Roosevelt added to the Monroe doctrine the idea that the US had the
right to act as the police in the Americas.
If an American nation refused to pay debts or did some other terrible
thing, the US could intervene.
Opposition
to Genocide
- In undeniable cases of genocide, the US reserves the right to intervene to
block human catastrophes. We are not
required to act however.
Promotion
of Women's Rights - The US is more likely to be friendly with countries that support
women's rights.
Abortion (Depends on the President) - The US will refuse to fund family planning programs that include any significant element of abortion.