Foreign policy involves the nation’s approach to international relations, encompassing all of its interactions with the world. It covers everything from military strategy and economic aid to addressing human rights, democracy, and globalization. Its underlying objective is to advance America’s interests and values while protecting its security, sovereignty, and national interests.
The American public remains almost unanimous in thinking that the nation’s top foreign policy priorities should be preventing terrorism, curtailing nuclear proliferation, and securing energy supplies. Large majorities also see value in working with multinational organizations to bring about world cooperation and defending U.S. allies’ security. However, there are significant partisan differences in opinions on how important it is to help build democracies in other countries and promote economic development, with Democrats deeming these goals to be more important than independents or Republicans do.
Creating new international regimes that imbed the United States’ interests and values in institutions that will shape and constrain countries for decades is a key aspect of good foreign policy. The wise application of American primacy can also further the interests and values of others, as when Washington broke the deadlocks that kept Iraq from disarming, Haiti’s junta from relinquishing power, and al-Qaida’s hold over Afghanistan. In contrast, isolationism opposes commitment to other countries including treaties and trade agreements and advocates for a self-reliant state that does not engage with other states.