How has U.S. involvement in global conflicts set the stage for domestic social changes?
In his farewell address in 1797, George Washington warned the United States against getting involved in costly foreign military entanglements. Today, in 2014, the United States is still fighting one hot war in Afghanistan, halfway-committed to defeating yet another insurgency in Iraq, supplying Israel with missiles to fight the Palestinians, offering money, weaponry, and advice to the Ukrainians, propping up South Korea's military in the event that the North Koreans turn back the clock to 1950 again, and American troops are stationed in almost every country on earth. So, you know... some folks didn't really listen to our first President. On the other hand, what would have happened if the United States had failed to get involved in World War II? Would we be speaking in German today? What about the Holocaust? Would anyone have been able to stop Adolf Hitler and his evil schemes? And what effects have all these wars had here at home?
There is a value in pondering these "what-ifs" of history, and they illuminate the lack on consensus about America's role in the world. Should the United States be the global superpower? Should the burden be shared? What right does the United States have to tell other nations how to act? For that matter, should the United States even bother with foreign policy, when there are so many issues here at home? In this course, we will explore some of these questions and try to divine what the role of the United States should be in today's globalized, interconnected world.
There is a value in pondering these "what-ifs" of history, and they illuminate the lack on consensus about America's role in the world. Should the United States be the global superpower? Should the burden be shared? What right does the United States have to tell other nations how to act? For that matter, should the United States even bother with foreign policy, when there are so many issues here at home? In this course, we will explore some of these questions and try to divine what the role of the United States should be in today's globalized, interconnected world.