At the end of the Cold War, the U.S. was firmly entrenched as an economic power with all the resources for development. The most fundamental decision was whether the U.S. would pursue foreign cooperation or remain isolated and unidirectional. This is how the foreign policy strategies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush differed. The paper outlines the different main features of their administrative actions.
Bill Clinton’s policy was that sharing experiences and using world connections was key to building world diplomacy. Clinton sought to broaden notions of democracy and influence the global community to establish a market economy and promote U.S. development. In addition, he followed the principles of globalization-especially regarding the cultural experience of nations and the empowerment of foreigners within the United States (Riley, n.d.). To maintain his global status, Clinton tried to channel domestic resources into an everyday diplomatic environment to develop leadership and take positions.
George W. Bush’s foreign policy was significantly different: he believed in the superiority of the American nation, whose freedom could only be encroached upon from outside. He was cautious about external interactions and believed chamberlains would allow the United States to develop (UVA’s Miller Center, 2017). In addition, Bush Jr.’s foreign strategy rejected restrictions and agreements that obliged countries to keep society safe. In addition, unlike Clinton, he focused on military build-up, which led to a confrontation with the principles of democracy. Finally, his policies did not imply globalization and unification but focused on the American nation’s dominance over others.
The foreign policy strategies of Clinton and Bush Jr. differed significantly. Clinton believed that the U.S. would become fully democratic and accessible if it showed openness and willingness to share resources. He believed that globalization was the way to build world diplomacy. In contrast, Bush Jr. was focused on isolation and confrontation with the principles of globalization. He was convinced that the U.S. would retain its superpower status if it showed domestic military and political potential.
References
Riley, R. L. (n.d.). Bill Clinton: Foreign affairs.
UVA’s Miller Center. (2017). Clinton vs. Bush on foreign policy [Video file].