Open door: U.S. Grand Strategy from 1787 to 2008

摘要

The grand strategy of the United States is that of the Open Door. Since 1787, the end state of U.S. grand strategy has remained constant: to achieve the purpose laid down in the Preamble to the Constitution. For the last 220 years the ways and means available to achieve that end state have grown, and with each major evolution in ways and means the grand strategy of the United States has evolved. From neutral nation to regional power to superpower, U.S. grand strategy has been expansionist in nature, yet in keeping with the values and national purpose of the United States. That expansion has ensured American security from threats abroad and prosperity at home. The general definition of grand strategy used in this thesis is as follows: 'Grand strategy is the combination of national purpose and interests that uses all elements of a nation's power to bring about more advantageous future conditions for that nation. Chapter 2 explores the concepts of national purpose and interests as they apply to the United States. Chapter 3 details the methodology used in the analysis and testing of this hypothesis. Chapter 4 uses that methodology to analyze U.S. foreign policy from 1787 until 1941 -- from the ratification of the Constitution to just prior to U.S. involvement in World War II -- to demonstrate a pattern of expansion. Chapter 5 tests the hypothesis by focusing on what really made the United States a superpower after World War II. Chapter 6 concludes the argument on U.S. grand strategy, and Chapter 7 presents recommendations for modifying the Army's Command and General Staff Officers Course to include a definition of grand strategy, show how grand strategy is linked to policy and national purpose, and impart a conceptual understanding of the grand strategy of the United States.