Noblest Form of Power: Implications for 21st Century Strategy

摘要

Self-coined as his 'freedom speech,' President George W. Bush's second inaugural address boldly set forth a grand vision and seemingly open- ended commitment to support the spread of democracy as the means to 'ending tyranny in our world.' His address clearly cemented the inextricable connection between American ideals and values and our nation's most vital interests, marking what Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice declared 'a really big change in American foreign policy.' Although the concept of 'national interest' at first appears self-evident, upon a more thorough analysis, it is one riddled with ambiguity and juxtapositions. This is perhaps even more so in American foreign policy, where the United States finds itself very active in the affairs of the world. This project examines the notion of national interest from a uniquely American perspective. While defining interests often proves to be a descriptive rather than prescriptive task, the ensuing discussion proposes that enduring issues provide a starting point from which to examine interests as a process, rather than an end-state. In conclusion, it will develop a caution to strategists regarding long-term planning decisions, given that the United States' ability to project decisive, physical power abroad is synonymous with the Americanized concept of self-defense.