Professor Amitai Etzioni presents argues in a manner that’s very compelling for the need to change American foreign policy in his book, “Security First: For a Muscular, Moral Foreign Policy,” written prior to the 2008 presidential elections, with the intent of convincing the new administration that combining realism as well as idealism in US foreign policy is not only achievable but doing so is also necessary and is in the best interest of the US and the world. Despite America’s global democratization efforts being a noble idea, the people driving the policy have their priority mixed up. Rather than focusing on the provision of basic security coupled with economic development programs and the promotion of civil liberties across the globe, the US has employed its economic and military might to impose democracy in societies that were simply unprepared for a democratic system. I, therefore, strongly support his views that America needs to reorient its foreign policy since the approach to international relations post 9/11 has been misplaced.
The goal of democratizing the globe has been the motivating factor behind America’s foreign policy since September 11th- an unrealistic goal by all means. Democracy can only thrive in a society where there are cultural resources that promote democratic ideals- resources that are doubtless lacking in most parts of the world. The legitimacy of American power in its democratization efforts since 9/11 has often been put to question. As a result, there is the need to formulate a new means of promoting global democracy, which in itself implies devising a relatively moderate rationale for the application of American power. Etzioni (2007), in his criticism of US foreign policy, therefore, argues that the US has applied the wrong approach in its effort to democratize the globe. He proposes that the United States’ foreign policy should focus on promoting basic security since security provides the basic foundation for democracy. All other rights and privileges can only be realized once basic security is accomplished. According to Etzioni (2007), “when and where the right to security is violated, all other rights are violated as well.” The US should, therefore, concentrate its effort in setting up conditions that can allow democracy to flourish. Provision of security should be the top most priority in America’s foreign policy.
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The rationale behind the US global democratization efforts suffers from a national realism deficit. American’s believe themselves to have established an ideal political system. In addition to this belief, their economic and military prowess erroneously convinces them that they can replicate the same ideals all over the globe. According to Etzioni (2007), the lack of realism is clearly evident amongst neoconservatives in Washington D.C., who promote a global democratic agenda- a goal that is impossible to realize since it “actually undermines the more practical work, of that which could be accomplished.” Etzioni therefore argues that, America needs to focus on “security first” and should, therefore, base its foreign policy on the “primacy of life.” No other human rights are morally basic than the right to life and security. Etzioni, therefore proposes that America needs to reorient its foreign policy towards providing global security and it is only by doing so that the US can prioritize its use of power and as a result be able to eliminate the overarch that has been witnessed post 9/11.
To sum up, America’s foreign policy after September 11th has focused on promoting democracy across the globe. The US needs to reorient its international relations by focusing on the provision of global security in addition to economic empowerment and promotion of civil liberties rather than using American military power to impose democracy in societies that are not prepared to handle the process. Only by doing so can the US truly eliminate the challenges posed on the legitimacy of American power that has been witnessed in recent years.
Reference
Etzioni, A. (2007). Security first: for a muscular, moral foreign policy . Yale: Yale University Press. Print
