Other have viewed U.S. foreign policy reflective of turning points in its history, defining these junctures as “paradigm shifts” or critical transformations in the strategic culture”. Such seismic shifts in policy—for example, the abandonment of continental isolationism inherent in early U.S. foreign policy upon entering World War I or the application of deterrence after dropping the atom bomb in 1945—are used by scholars to explain policy trend.
More recently, scholars have moved to view consistencies and shifts in U.S foreign policy as related to change in presidential administrations. Since most U.S. presidents have promulgated some sort of foreign policy “doctrine,” it becomes possible to examine where there is continuity or change comparatively by examining presidential administrations over time. These difference are often reflected in the comments of presidents and their advisors as well. Consider the following:
“The ultimate test of our foreign policy is how well our actions measure up to our ideals … Freedom is America’s purpose” (Secretary of State Madeleine Albright 1998). “I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me” (President Abraham Lincoln 1864). “Decisions are made by people, and they make them based on what they know of the world and how they understand it” (Vice president George H.W. Bush 1987).
At issue here is whether U.S. foreign policy is built around a set of values—“freedom from the dictates of others, commercial advantage, and promotion of American ideas and ideals” (Wittkopf , Jones, and Kegley 2008: 29)—or whether it is based on notions of power and national interests. These represent dueling visions about what constitute the goals, norms, and means that are the focus of American foreign policy. They also bring with them different philosophies regarding human nature and how important the situation and context should be in determining policy. And they represent the ongoing debate among president, policy makers, pundits, and scholars on the importance of idealism versus realism as the basis for U.S. foreign policy.