Liberal Realism
The foundation of a democratic foreign policy
G. john Ikenberry and Charles A kupchan
The upcoming president election represents a defining moment for the United States and its engagement in global affairs. The foreign policy of the Bush Administration represents a radical departure in principle as well as practice from the tradition of liberal realism that guided the United States throughout the second half of the 20 th century. The Democratic Party promises to reclaim liberal internationalism, restoring a centrist foreign policy guided by ideals as well as power realities. On offer are two contending visions of America’s role in the world. In one’ international order arises exclusively from u. s pre-eminence with America wielding its unchecked power to keep others in line and enforce international hierarchy. In the other, international order arises from the coupling of America’s pre-eminence with the united states wielding its power to craft consensual and legitimate mechanisms of international governance. Which vision prevails will have enormous consequences for global politics.
We have two principal objectives.
First, we illuminate the contrasting logics that inform policy choice, hopefully contributing to a richer public debate. Second, we contend that liberal realism has clear advantages over the approach of bush administration; a democratic foreign policy guided by it would enhance both u.s security and international stability. We examine the five core issues that provide a conceptual foundation for a u.s grand strategy: the operation of the balance power; terrorism and its impact on the international system; the role of rules and institutions between legitimacy and international governance; and the management of deficits, trade and the global economy. We first outline how each of these issues affects u.s policy and global politics, next describe and critique the bush administration’s approach to each issue, and then go to examine