This Article examines the foreign policy of the U.S. from 9-11 towards 2008 under the theoretical umbrella of the neo-realistic approach of studying international relations. It is shown, that the Neorealism is a powerful and explanatory approach for the understanding of U.S.´s foreign policy after 9-11.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
1. NOTES ON METHODOLOGY AND ANALYTIC APPROACH
2. THEORETICAL PART
2.1. Basic Assumptions of Neo-Realistic Theory of International Relations
2.2. Neo-Realistic Theory of Foreign Policy
2.3. Summary of Results
3. EMPIRICAL PART
3.1 Preliminary Notes
3.2. Empirical Indicators for the persistence of Neo-Realistic Approach in case of the Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy after 9-11
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
Objectives and Core Themes
This academic paper aims to analyze United States foreign policy following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through the lens of Neo-Realistic theory. The central research inquiry focuses on whether the Neo-Realistic framework provides a persistent, conclusive, and purposive explanation for American foreign policy behavior in the post-9/11 security environment.
- Application of Neo-Realistic theory to U.S. foreign policy.
- Examination of the concept of American superiority (grand strategy of primacy).
- Analysis of strategic autonomy and instrumental multilateralism.
- Evaluation of state behavior in an anarchic international system.
Excerpt from the Book
(1) Maintenance of America´s superiority
Under the termini maintenance of America´s superiority we understand a political concept of Foreign Policy, which is follows the intended goal to secure the position of the United States as the last superpower after the Cold War. Mastanduno (1997) calls this the “grand strategy of primacy”. By saving the own superiority it is possible to save states security and to prevent aggressions and attacks by other states, because the other actors has to be afraid of high causalities, or his demolition in the case of a aggression against the U.S.. These are obviously Neo Realistic assumptions. The maintenance of superiority serves the goal of security. Another implicit assumption of the concept of saving America´s superiority is the assumption, that a powerful strength of the forces will prevent other states for attacking the U.S..
In words of George W. Bush: “America has, and intends to keep, military strengths beyond challenge thereby, making the destabilizing arms races of other eras pointless….”
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Outlines the impact of the September 11 attacks on international politics and establishes the paper's intent to apply a single theoretical approach—Neo-Realism—to explain U.S. foreign policy.
1. NOTES ON METHODOLOGY AND ANALYTIC APPROACH: Defines the methodology, identifying the U.S. as the case study and setting the hypothesis that Neo-Realism provides the most purposive framework for analyzing post-9/11 policy.
2. THEORETICAL PART: Explores the foundations of Neo-Realist theory, focusing on anarchy, the security dilemma, and the rational behavior of states as unitary actors.
2.1. Basic Assumptions of Neo-Realistic Theory of International Relations: Details the structural constraints of the international system and the necessity for states to prioritize security through self-help.
2.2. Neo-Realistic Theory of Foreign Policy: Analyzes the dichotomy between autonomy-seeking and influence-seeking as two variants of power politics in state decision-making.
2.3. Summary of Results: Synthesizes the core tenets of the Neo-Realistic approach, confirming the state as a black-box actor within an anarchic system.
3. EMPIRICAL PART: Applies the theoretical findings to specific U.S. foreign policy actions taken after the 2001 terrorist incidents.
3.1 Preliminary Notes: Establishes the framework for evaluating official U.S. documents, such as the National Security Strategies, under the Neo-Realistic scope.
3.2. Empirical Indicators for the persistence of Neo-Realistic Approach in case of the Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy after 9-11: Evaluates the evidence for the "grand strategy of primacy" and the preference for informal multilateralism over formal international institutional frameworks.
CONCLUSIONS: Summarizes how the empirical analysis supports the initial hypothesis, validating the use of Neo-Realism while acknowledging the potential utility of complementary theoretical approaches.
REFERENCES: Provides a comprehensive list of scholarly works and primary government documents utilized for the analysis.
Key Words
Neo-Realism, U.S. Foreign Policy, 9-11, International Relations, Security, Anarchy, Autonomy, Power Politics, Grand Strategy, Primacy, Self-help, National Security Strategy, Multilateralism, Hegemony, Structural Realism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work primarily examines United States foreign policy after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through the specific theoretical lens of Neo-Realism.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this study?
The study centers on international relations theory, the concept of state autonomy, the preservation of American military and strategic superiority, and the operationalization of power in an anarchic global system.
What is the main objective or research hypothesis of the work?
The primary objective is to verify whether analyzing post-9/11 U.S. foreign policy through a Neo-Realistic framework provides the most consistent, conclusive, and purposive explanation for the actions taken by the American government.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research uses a qualitative case study approach, evaluating official U.S. government documents (such as the National Security Strategy) and scholarly analysis to test the explanatory power of Neo-Realistic theory.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body contrasts the "standard version" of Neo-Realism with "modified Realism," discusses the security dilemma, and empirically analyzes the U.S. push for strategic autonomy and the "grand strategy of primacy."
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Neo-Realism, U.S. Foreign Policy, 9-11, Security, Anarchy, Autonomy, Power Politics, and Grand Strategy.
How does the author interpret the U.S. approach to international institutions?
The author interprets U.S. behavior, such as the preference for "coalitions of the willing" over formal institutions like the UN, as an expression of strategic autonomy and instrumental multilateralism under Neo-Realist assumptions.
Why does the author treat the state as a "black box"?
Following Neo-Realistic doctrine, the author treats the state as a "black box" to emphasize that systemic constraints of the international environment—rather than internal political processes—are the primary drivers of foreign policy behavior.
- Citation du texte
- B.A. Jan-Frederik Kremer (Auteur), 2008, The Neo-Realist Perspective: U.S. Foreign Policy after 9-11, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/148809
