Isolation or involvement: over the years, a large segment of American society and more than a few of its leaders have tried to keep the country isolated from foreign entanglements.

Over the years, a large segment of American society and more than a few of its leaders have tried to keep the country isolated from foreign entanglements

Bill Clinton won the U.S. presidency by vowing to concentrate on domestic problems. He was not, he promised, going to have his attention and energy diverted away from getting Americans back to work.

But, try as he might to devote himself to issues at home, Bill Clinton was forced to spend much of his time on foreign affairs.

As the world's most powerful nation, the United States cannot avoid being drawn into events outside its borders. Sometimes, the involvement has been enthusiastic. Sometimes, America has been dragged, kicking and screaming, into taking a role in world events.

Before the 20th century, the U.S. was mostly concerned with consolidating its position in North America. Seventy years of dramatic economic growth turned the United States into a world superpower. Europeans in particular thought it was time for the American giant to shoulder some of the burden of world affairs. But, American opinion still sided with the nation's founders. U.S. isolationism had its roots in the American Revolution and the separation from Europe. Early leaders warned against long-term political and military commitments. President George Washington, in his farewell address (1796), advised Americans to steer clear of permanent alliances. President Thomas Jefferson later added his caution against "entangling alliances." For most of the 19th century, Americans developed the continent without interference; they viewed isolationism as a fixed principle.

Woodrow Wilson (president from 1913 to 1921) set the standard for isolationism. As World War I (1914-18) ravaged Europe, Mr. Wilson remained steadfastly neutral. He won re-election in 1916 on the slogan "He kept us out of the war." However, German attacks on Atlantic shipping began to take American lives, and the president was forced to declare war in 1917. But, with the war over, Americans turned inward again and refused to join the newly formed League of Nations.

For the next two decades, America remained on the sidelines of the international playing field. The Depression of the 1930s, made Americans focus on domestic issues. They were not alone in this; Britain, France, Canada, and many other nations lost interest in foreign affairs as they struggled to keep their heads above turbulent economic waters.

After the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939, and the fall of France in 1940, the isolationists lost ground. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and others, favoured sending aid to the Allied powers. But, isolationists such as Republican senators Robert Taft and Arthur Vandenberg remained strong. Such people were located throughout the country and included members of different ethnic groups, as well as conservatives and radicals. The debate over isolation ended with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and U.S. entrance into World War II.

American postwar policy was based at first on international cooperation and collective security through the United Nations. Increasing confrontation with the Soviet Union, however, brought about changes in U.S. foreign policy. American policymakers sought to contain Soviet expansion and communist influence through economic and military aid; eventually, formal military alliances were established, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949. The struggle to stop the spread of communism was the cornerstone of American foreign policy for 45 years. Any country that was anti-communist was a friend and could count on American support. As long as the Soviet Union and China were stirring up trouble, Americans were willing to assume the leadership of the free world.

Then, the Soviet Union collapsed. Almost overnight, America's foreign policy fell apart. And, once again, Americans question whether it's wise to send their sons and daughters to places such as Somalia (see sidebar) and Bosnia. They are asking what U.S. interests are involved that are so vital that they're worth losing American lives over?

While running for the Republican presidential nomination Pat Buchanan summed up the feelings of many: "NATO was created to shelter Western Europe from the Red Army until the shattered continent could undertake its own defence. That purpose is achieved, and, if the Cold War is over, the United States should turn NATO over to the Europeans, bring our troops home and disengage from the coming ethnic and border conflicts of Europe in which not a single national interest of our country is engaged."

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

1. History Professor Michael Mandelbaum has written that: "Historically, the foreign policy of the United States has centred on American interests, defined as developments that could affect the lives of American citizens...Instead the Clinton interventions [to relieve the suffering caused by ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, starvation in Somalia, and oppression in Haiti] were intended to promote American values." He goes on to say that the purpose of foreign policy should be to protect a nation's interests not to make the saving of lives a priority. He criticizes the Clinton administration for trying to turn "foreign policy into a branch of social work...The world is a big place filled with distressed people, all of whom...have a claim to American attention. Putting an end to suffering in Bosnia, Somalia, and Haiti would have involved addressing its causes, which would have meant deep, protracted, and costly engagement in the tangled political life of each country." Discuss Prof. Mandelbaum's comments.

2. The British historian Lord Acton once said of foreign policy that "Nations have no permanent friends, only interests." Discuss.

FACT FILE

The United States Central Intelligence Agency has one third more employees worldwide than does the United Nations.