US foreign policy - Essay Example

This includes the search for peace and democracy where there is conflict and tyrannism. Most of these dealings have been good and the US deserves praise for this. However, a thorough examination of these actions reveals that the US and its foreign policy are guided by illusions. Dallek (78) lists them as, the power to transform the world from lawless and hostile to peaceful one/misguided faith in universalism, the need to shun appeasement or conciliatory talks with enemies and the belief in the effectiveness of military power to contain opponents.

These illusions, especially its love affair with universalism, have made it almost impossible for the US to rethink and come up with productive ways of dealing with their foreign problems. This problem can be attributed the universal imperialist nature in the people who helped to shape the US foreign policy. Take Wilson and Bush for example. They both had similar perceptions of foreign nations as evidenced by their policies towards other countries. Evidence of universal imperialism among US leaders begun in 1918 with Wilson’s peace program, a rationalisation for its participation in war to terminate all wars and make the western part of the globe safe for democracy.

Hellwig (261) explains that the Mexican revolution of 1910 unleashed great turbulence in North America and the US response, especially the response of President Wilson is subject to much studies and criticism. Wilson saw that the best way of dealing with Mexico was to invade them. He sent General Pershing and 10,000 US troops into the Mexico to fight and capture Mexico. Wilson was a strong defender of pacifism and America’s and this motivated the US involvement in the World War I. His foreign policy towards Mexico was based on an altruistic desire to impart on other nations the benefits of constitutional democracy.

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