What is the purpose of our Foreign Policy?

[mikester]

We see media talking heads talking about it and how important it is all the time but I wonder - does the average American even know what it really is?


Does the EDUCATED American even know what it is?

I consider myself mildly educated; I've read a bit about American History - maybe more than most folks but I claim no expertise. There have been plenty of times where someone has helped me to see some light here and there.

So I ask you - in your own words what do you think American Foreign policy is about? What is its purpose, what do we hope to gain from it?

I feel that if folks don't know what the purpose of a particular policy is - any policy then they have no bearings by which to judge a politicians opinion on that policy.

I'm just saying.

[MRM]

Your question reminds me of a great scene from the movie Charlie Wilson. It goes something like this:

Charlie Wilson - You mean that's The US policy on Afghanistan?

CIA Spook - No, I said that was ___'s policy. Strictly speaking, the US doesn't have an Afghan policy. But we're working on it.

CW - Who's "we"?

CIA - Me and three other guys.

[Jim Richards]

World domination to ensure stable markets for business.

[mikester]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

World domination to ensure stable markets for business.

In looking at the history of our FP Jim, I don't think you are off the mark.

Seriously.

[KaptKaos]

It's to stop people from using the phrase "I'm just saying." (consider yourself duly warned......again!!)

And Jim isn't that far off really. Certainly there is a "national security" element in there as well. But what kind of national security do you have when your economy is in the crapper?

[Superman]

The purpose, or goal, is simple. America's interests. Yeah, that's broad but so is "foreign policy."

The analogy goes like this: Let's say we're all living in a campground. There's a gigantic 60' Airstream with satellite TV and hot tub called "America." There's lots of tents called "third world." There's a supposedly-converted soviet tank called "Russia." There is a large area of grass huts with many busy inhabitants called "China," and so on. These other inhabitants of the campground talk to each other. They meet. They roast marshmallows. The drink beer. They make fishing plans for the next day. Some of them have boats. Do we ignore them and erect fencing......or do we talk with them? Do we find out what they will be doing tomorrow? Do we listen as they plan to make changes to the campground? Engage......or disengage.

Interestingly, the Airstream is operated by a group of guys called Dubya and Arrogant Arm-Folders. They're busy building the strongest brick wall they can, and they could care less what the other inhabitants are doing. In fact, from time to time Dubya and the Arrogant Arm-Folders sometimes go to someone's tent who has irritate them and dispense to them what is called a "Knuckle Sandwich." They toss their empty beer cans and garbage over the brick wall, not really caring whether the other residents are offended by this. After all......they have the Airstream and the brick wall.

What Dubya and his friends don't know is that the campground folks have decided to move the sea-wall. This change in sea-wall location is going to cause wave action to erode the part of the campground that the Airstream (and brick wall) sits on. Dubya is going to eventually wish he had attended the meetings.

[ChrisBennet]

I've always said that the real purpose of our foreign policy is to make the world safe for capitalism (not democracy).
-Chris

[Rikao4]

you do what I say, or want..
simple...
I don't subscribe to this policy..
Rika

[RWebb]

IT started out as: "We avoid foreign entanglements"

Then, it was "Keep your filthy corrupt Euro-peon hands off of our hemisphere."

Then, it was "These guys are badd asses, we shoulda snuffed 'em earlier" aka "Forward defense" aka "Invade Europe first" aka "England makes a kick-ass aircraft carrier."

Then it was "Stop the commie menace."

Then, "Hey, cool. We snuffed 'em - show that film of the shoe-banging again, and hand me my peace dividend."

Then, "Hey, where's my peace dividend?"

Then, "you a__holes should not have awoken the sleeping dragon."

And, all along, despite the evolution shown above it has ALWAYS been "hey hey you you - GIT offa my cloud"

* Size and shape of cloud subject to change. Now valid in all air spaces.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by mikester

what is the purpose of our foreign policy

Looking out for numero uno.

[mikester]

In looking at the begining of american history; that is to say the efforts of the colonies to separate from england what seems to have been the largest driver of that separation was trade.

As a Colony the Americas could ONLY trade with England; as a free country they could trade as they saw fit. Those original efforts were intended to secure neutral trade agreements where the seas (the primary conduit for trade) were as free for American ships as they were for British, French and Spanish ships.

The other driving factor was the desire to remain 'neutral' in Europe's affairs. France and Britain were constantly scrapping as well as many other little kingdoms and being wise they saw that the money on those bets was in the trade and not the fighting. Being neutral could pay off.

Of course...it didn't last...more to come...

[RoninLB]

strategic and economic