Neoconservatism and the American Foreign Policy.doc

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1、MA ThesisChina Foreign Affairs University Neo-conservatism and the American Foreign Policy新保守主义和美国外交政策MA ThesisSubmitted to the Department of English and International Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in American StudiesMajor：English Language and Li

2、terature专业：英语语言文学Focus：American Studies方向： 美国研究Supervisor：Prof. XXX导师：XXX 教授Writer：XXX研究生：XXX 摘 要进入21世纪以来，美国新保守主义对布什政府的外交政策及国际形势产生了重大影响。本文试图对新保守主义的发展和理念、其对布什政府的影响和“9.11”后美国的全球战略进行分析研究。 新保守主义的兴起有其深刻的社会和历史背景，其代表人物主张通过在全球范围内推广美式民主来确立美国的领导地位。“9.11”事件后，在新保守主义的影响下，美国制定了以先发制人，推广民主和单边主义为主要特征的 “布什主义”外交战略。以反恐

3、战争和推广民主为旗号，美国意图控制中东等战略要地以主导世界。由于国际社会的广泛批评和美国陷入伊拉克战争泥潭，布什政府调整策略并推行“转型外交”，由依靠“硬实力”转为发挥“软实力”，并重塑与俄罗斯、欧盟和中国等主要力量的关系。在与朝鲜和伊朗的冲突中，美国致力于防止大规模杀伤性武器的扩散。在国际多极化趋势深入发展和伊拉克形势的影响下，美国社会开始对新保守主义进行反思。2006年美国议会中期选举中，新保守主义派遭到挫败，其影响力不断减弱。2008年美国将举行总统大选，新一届美国政府将力求重新占领道义制高点并加强“软实力”建设而不是穷兵黩武。历史经验证明，建立在单边主义和军事力量基础上的新保守主义外交

4、政策注定会走向失败。关键词：新保守主义，布什政府外交战略，国际形势AbstractSince the beginning of the 21st century, neo-conservatism in the U.S. has exerted tremendous influence both on Bush administrations foreign policy and the international situation. This thesis attempts to analyze the ideology and development of neo-conservatis

5、m, expound its impact on Bush administration and explore Americas global strategy after the 9/11 attacks. The rise of neo-conservatism has profound social and historical background. Its representing figures asserted that the U.S. should seek global leadership by promoting American model of liberal d

6、emocracy around the world. After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush, guided by neo-conservatism, initiated the “Bush Doctrine” characterized by preemption, promotion of democracy and unilateralism. In the name of anti-terror war and the promotion of democracy, the U.S. has intended to domina

7、te the world by controlling the Middle East Region and other areas with strategic importance. Due to the criticism of the international community and the deteriorating situation in Iraq, the Bush administration adjusted its foreign policy and pursued the transformational diplomacy, which mainly focu

8、sed on shifting the means from “hard power” to “soft power”, and on reshaping the relations with other major powers such as Russia, EU and China. In the conflicts with North Korea and Iran, the U.S. dedicated itself to the non-proliferation of WMD (weapons of massive destruction). However, with the

9、profound development of multi-polarity and the situation in Iraq, the American society began to review neo-conservatism. In the 2006 midterm election, neo-conservatives were defeated and their impact declined continuously.The year 2008 witnesses the presidential election in the U.S. The new administ

10、ration will endeavor to regain moral high ground and strengthen soft power rather than wield hard power. History has proven that the neo-conservative foreign policy based on unilateralism and military power is doomed to failure.Keywords: neo-conservatism, foreign Policy of the Bush administration, i

11、nternational situationContentsIntroduction-1Chapter 1 The rise of neo-conservatism in the U.S. -31.1Origin and development of neo-conservatism-31.2Main features and positions of neo-conservatism -41.3Background for the rise of neo-conservatism -4Chapter 2The impact of neo-conservatism on American fo

12、reign policy - -62.1Major foreign strategies in American history-62.2 The Bush Doctrine and the war on terrorism-72.3 American foreign policy towards the Middle East-92.4The promotion of democracy and the Color Revolution-12Chapter 3 The adjustment of Bush administrations foreign policy -153.1 Trans

13、formational Diplomacy-153.2 Reshaping the relations with other major powers-173.2.1The U.S. vs. Russiafrom allies to antagonists-173.2.2The US-European relationsovercoming the crisis on the war in Iraq-203.2.3The Sino-US relationship-stakeholder of the 21st century-223.3 Conflicts with “Axis of Evil

14、”-243.3.1North Korea nuclear issues-253.3.2Iran nuclear issues-27Chapter 4 Review of neo-conservatism -304.1 Reasons for the impact of neo-conservatism on American foreign policy-304.2New development of international situation-30 4.3 Review of neo-conservatism in American society -32Chapter 5 US for

15、eign policy in the future-36 Conclusion-39 Introduction Since the beginning of the 21st century, nothing has changed the international situation as dramatically as the foreign policy of the Bush administration under the ideology of neo-conservatism. After the Iraq war as well as the expansion of the

16、 US influence throughout the world in the name of anti-terrorism, the world has undergone profound changes. The structural balance after the Cold War has been broken and the international community has entered a new epoch. Embarking on a path of peaceful development, China needs a stable internation

17、al environment to realize its modernization. It is therefore essential for China to analyze the US foreign policy and its impact on the international situation, for the U.S. remains the sole superpower in the world. Only with a good partnership with the U.S. can China dedicate itself to its domestic

18、 economic development and social progress. In this sense, the subject of neo-conservatism and American foreign policy deserves in-depth research.This thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter focuses on the development of neo-conservatism in the U.S., explaining the origin, main featur

19、es and background of neo-conservatism. Neo-conservatism used to be a blend of liberal democracy and hawkish foreign policy. Its origin can be traced back to the liberals who later moved to the Republicans camp in the 1950s and 1960s. Neo-conservatives uphold the American model of democracy, believe

20、in American power and stand for a unilateral world. The second chapter analyses the influence of neo-conservatism on the Bush administration and Americas foreign strategy after the 9/11 attacks, exploring the Bush Doctrine and its effects. The Bush Doctrine, which includes preemption, unilateralism

21、and the promotion of democracy, demonstrates the impact of neo-conservatism on American foreign policy, and reflects the fundamental commitment to maintaining a mono-polar world in which the U.S. has no peer competitors. In line with this new strategy, the U.S. launched the war on terror and imposed

22、 the American model of democracy on the Middle East and other areas with strategic importance. Chapter 3 centers on the adjustment of Bush administrations foreign policy and its influence on international relations. According to the transformational diplomacy, the U.S. should cooperate with partners

23、 around the world to fight against terrorism and deal with potential challengers. The U.S. reshaped its relationship with other major powers and tried to settle the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues by depending on the multilateral mechanism. The forth chapter is devoted to the review of neo-c

24、onservatism. It is inevitable that neo-conservatism has dominated American foreign policy since the beginning of the 21st century. However, after the Cold War, the multi-polarization and the economic globalization have been developing in depth, which contradicts the ideology of neo-conservatism char

25、acterized by unilateralism. The American society has also begun to review the neo-conservative foreign policy. Since the Republicans were defeated in the midterm elections in 2006, neo-conservatism has been on the decline. The last chapter tries to predict the future development of American foreign

26、policy. The new U.S. administration may improve its international image, consolidating the alliance with traditional partners. At the same time, anti-terrorism may remain one of the most important tasks for the new administration. In addition, the U.S is likely to attach more importance to regional

27、players to maintain regional stability. Chapter 1 The rise of neo-conservatism in the U.S.1.1 Origin and development of neo-conservatismNeo-conservatism used to be a blend of liberal democracy and hawkish foreign policy, and neo-conservatives described themselves as liberals mugged by reality. Its o

28、rigins could be traced to the liberals and social progressives who strongly backed the Second World War. In the 1950s and 1960s, the neo-conservatives took a tough attitude towards the Soviet Union, breaking with Washingtons foreign policy establishment that came to support Cold War dtente with Mosc

29、ow. Dismayed by the dovish national security policy of the Democrats, neo-conservatives switched to the camp of Republicans. Neo-conservatives gained real influence for the first time under President Ronald Reagan who decided to challenge the Soviet evil empire. The collapse of communism and the Sov

30、iet Union was seen as vindication for the neo-conservatives. However, they remained in opposition under President Bill Clinton. At the end of 1990s, neo-conservatives came to dominate Republican foreign policy. Their manifesto was the statement of principles of the Project for the New American Centu

31、ry (PNAC), a non-profit, educational organization whose goal is to promote American global leadership. The signatories included Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld as well as Paul Wolfwitz. PNAC called for higher defense spending, the promotion of democracy and freedom around the world, and the creation of

32、 a world order “friendly to our security, our prosperity and our principles.” Project for the New American Century, “Statement of Principles,”http:/www.newamerican century.org/statementofprinciples.htm According to the PNAC, the history of the 20th century should have taught Americans to embrace the

33、 cause of American leadership. George W. Bushs victory in 2000 provided the neo-cons with historical opportunity and power: Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfwitz later became key figures in the Bush administration. 1.2 Main features and positions of neo-conservatismNeo-conservatives are convinced that it is

34、 the best thing, not just for America, but for the world, to spread the American model of liberal democracy around the globe. They believe in American power, especially the military force, and “their heroes are Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reaganall U.S. presidents who successfully

35、 wielded power in the service of a higher purpose” Max Boot, “Neo Cons” Foreign Policy, January/February (2004) : P. 24. Neo-cons oppose the tyranny which poses the greatest threat to peace and security. What is more, the neo-cons place their faith not in multilateralism but in unilateralism. They b

36、elieve it is dangerous to establish a multilateral world order based on international laws and negotiations. According to their opinion, there are only two choices for the world, either led by the United States or getting into chaos. 1.3 Background for the rise of neo-conservatismThe rise of neo-con

37、servatism has its theoretical, political and academic background. It is important to point out that neo-conservatism is not prompted by a sudden impulse from the “eagles”, but is deeply rooted in the philosophy and political science. Neo-conservatism had two Godfathers who established the ideologica

38、l framework. One was Professor Leo Strauss at the University of Chicago, whose famous work was The Natural Right and History. “Strauss reopened the question of natural right, the possibility of a standard of justice independent of and superior to human agreement or convention, and sharply criticized

39、 what he called historicism, the claim that all standards and all human thoughts were relative to or imposed by particular historical situations.” University of Chicago, “Leo Strauss-Natural Right and History,” http:/www.olincenter.uchicago.edu/strausskonference.htm As a refugee from Nazi Germany, h

40、e witnessed the evils of totalitarianism and therefore firmly believed in US democracy which, he thought, needed to be defended. Another founding father of neo-conservatism was Irving Kristol, a Strauss disciple. He claimed that religion, nationalism, and economic growth were the pillars of neo-cons

41、ervatism. Kristol believed that “the historical task and political purpose of neo-conservatism would seem to be this, to convert the Republican Party, and American conservatism in general, into a new kind of conservative politics suitable to governing a modern democracy” Irving Kristol, “The Neocons

42、ervative Persuasion,” The Weekly Standard, Issue 47 (2003), .Before 9/11 attacks, the neo-cons have already formed an elite cycle in the academy, including prominent experts, famous news commentators and important members in think tanks such as the American Enterprise Institute and powerful magazine

43、s like The Weekly Standard. In the Bush administration, key neo-conservative movement figures include Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfwitz and Pentagon adviser Richard Perle. Presiden

44、t Bush has been deeply tinted by neo-conservatism. After the 9/11, Bush became more convinced that the U.S. could even use intervention and coercive measures to export democratic ideal. Chapter 2The impact of neo-conservatism on the Bush administration and Americas foreign strategy after the 9/11 at

45、tacks2.1 Major foreign strategies in American historyIn American history, there have been several grand strategies in its foreign policy. The isolationism focused on maintaining the freedom of action by preventing U.S. from involving in conflicts and wars. This strategy was followed at the early stage of American history because at that time, it was important for the U.