The fine art of foreign policy

摘要

Ever since America won the cold war, it has faced the temptation of isolationism—from isolationists of the right, who believe America is too good for the world, and isolationists of the left, who believe the world is too good for America. But neither has prevailed. The isolationist left crested when Democrats amassed almost enough votes to beat the gulf-war resolution and then saw their predictions made to look foolish by events. The isolationist right crested when Patrick Buchanan started winning early 1996 primaries, and then crashed. Now, against many expectations, the election process has moved both parties away from isolationism and toward internationalism.