Us 2012 elections

Will the outcome of 2012 US presidential election really affect US foreign policy priorities?

1429

2012 is an election year in the U.S. At this point, 4 republican candidates are still battling for their Party´s presidential nomination in the race against current President Barack Obama.1 The result of this presidential election will undoubtedly impact the world. However, will we see changesin U.S. foreign policy priorities? Foreign policy, in general terms, refers to the way a nation chooses to interact with the world, namely, the strategies it will implement in order to achieve its own goals in the global stage. Generally the foreign policy priorities of a State depend on its type of government and national objectives, as well as its position vis a vis other States. It was at theend of World War II that the U.S. solidified its status as a superpower and influential international political player; via the UN Chart, the U.S. and 50 other states made a commitment of cooperation and the improvement of interstate relations, in order to achieve global peace and security. Moreover, at the end of the cold war the U.S. gained international admiration and respect for the war´snonviolent end, allowing Democratic President Bill Clinton to lead the U.S. while it had the biggest economy in the world and unparalleled political and military power. As a result, the Clinton doctrine focused on the protection of human rights, openness in trade, and aid and cooperation with allies.2 At the end of Clinton´s second term, the presidency went to Republican George W. Bush. Hisadministration was lamentably defined by 9/11.Up until that point, U.S. foreign policy was based on two principles, containment and deterrence. However, after the attacks, the Bush doctrine revolved around the U.S.´s need for defensive strikes against terrorists and States who harbored them. 3 As a result, President Bush issued the new National Security Strategy of the United States 4 in September 2002.Which stated the recognition of U.S. military supremacy, the introduction of the concept of preemptive war, and if multinational cooperation fails, willingness to act unilaterally. 5

1

Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. The U.S. is politically organized as a Federal Constitutional Republic. It has two major political parties, republican and democratic, representingconservatism versus liberalism. 2 For example, in 1995 President Bill Clinton provided a 20 billion loan to Mexico in order to avoid a possible global economy collapse. Republicans highly criticized this measure; however, the loan went through in spite of public opposition. See also The Clinton Presidency: Historic Economic Growth. Available at:http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-03.html. Last visited: February 2012. 3 st See speech by President George W. Bush at West Point, New York, June 1 2002. "Our security will require all Americans to be forward-looking and resolute, to be ready for preemptive action when necessary to defend our liberty and to defend our lives." 4 See National Security Strategy of the United States, September 2, 2002. Available athttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/national/nss-020920.pdf. Last visited: February 2012. 5 The concept of deterrence relied on U.S.-U.S.SR mutual assured destruction, and therefore, discouraged the use of weapons of mass destruction; containment promoted the use of diplomacy to prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction. See The Bush Doctrine and U.S. Military. Available at:http://www.peace.ca/bU.S.hdoctrine.htm. Last

Will the outcome of 2012 US presidential election really affect US foreign policy priorities?

1429

This policy and the way the U.S. chose to respond to the attack created controversy worldwide. A war was started in spite of the UN Security Council´s instructions, and many people saw it as a wasted opportunity to improve the image of the U.S.6 After Bush´s second...