The Previous Assignments Focused On Domestic Matters In US

The Previous Assignments Focused On Domestic Matters In Us History Th

The previous assignments focused on domestic matters in US history. This last assignment explores America’s international role in recent decades. By the mid-20th century, the United States had become the dominant force in international relations. Some have argued that the United States’ military functions as the world’s “police.” This assignment covers the manner in which this shift occurred and the consequences the United States faces as a result of its status as “policeman of the world.” One can identify early steps this direction well before World War II, but in this paper focus on the period from the 1940s to the present. Take one of the positions as suggested below, draw from the sources listed, and present a paper with specific examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position.

Possible position—in each case you can take the pro or con position: 1. The American “policing” role developed because of the Cold War, but it became primarily a means for protecting and assisting economic interests for itself and its allies as illustrated by recent events as well as earlier ones. 2. The American “policing” role has been exercised primarily to protect vulnerable peoples and regions from powerful oppressors or from regional chaos, as illustrated by recent events as well as earlier ones. 3. The American “policing” role has had noble intentions and ultimate success during the Cold War, but in fighting terror it has gotten off track with some severe consequences. 4. A position you develop on this issue with the approval of your instructor. After giving general consideration to your readings and your research, select one of the positions above as your position—your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and inquiry.)

Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally envisioned.) Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues: 1. The position you choose (from the list above)—or something close to it—will be the thesis statement in your opening paragraph. 2. To support your position, use four specific examples from different decades between 1950 and the present. (At least one example must be from the last ten years). 3. Explain why the opposing view is weak in comparison to yours. 4. Consider your life today: In what way does the history you have shown shape or impact issues in your workplace or desired profession? (This might be unclear at first since it is foreign policy. But, super-power status does inevitably provide advantages in a global economy.)

Length: The paper should be 600-to-850 words in length. This normally means 2-to-3 pages for the body of the paper. (The title page and Sources page do not count in these calculations.) Double-space between lines.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolution of the United States’ role as the global policeman is a complex phenomenon rooted deeply in the geopolitical shifts of the 20th and 21st centuries. This essay argues that the American “policing” role developed primarily during the Cold War era to protect both national and economic interests, often at the expense of other nations’ sovereignty, and has evolved into a mechanism that serves U.S. strategic and economic objectives today. Drawing on historical examples from various decades, this analysis will demonstrate that while initially driven by ideological confrontation, the role has been increasingly motivated by economic and political gains, leading to mixed consequences both domestically and internationally.

The Cold War period (1950s-1980s) marked the pivotal foundation of America’s policing role. During this era, the U.S. intervened in numerous conflicts and revolutions to curb the spread of communism—often supporting dictatorships and oppressive regimes that aligned with U.S. interests (Klaber, 2002). For instance, in Latin America, the U.S. backed authoritarian regimes like Pinochet’s Chile to prevent communist influence, exemplifying a foreign policy that prioritized economic interests and regional stability over democracy (Schultz, 2018). The 1980s, characterized by Reagan’s aggressive stance, saw military interventions in Central America and the Middle East aimed at protecting strategic interests—such as access to oil routes and maintaining regional alliances—rather than solely fighting ideological enemies (Dulles, 1954).

Post-Cold War, America's policing functions transitioned from ideological conflicts to protecting economic interests in an increasingly globalized economy. The 1991 Gulf War exemplifies this shift. The U.S. led a coalition to liberate Kuwait, primarily to protect its access to oil resources and ensure regional stability conducive to global economic flows (Bush, 1991). The intervention was justified as a response to Iraqi aggression but was fundamentally aimed at securing economic interests, illustrating how “policing” became intertwined with economic security. Similarly, the NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999, though framed as humanitarian, also served strategic purposes by consolidating U.S. influence in Southeastern Europe and countering Russian interests (Schultz, 2018).

In the 21st century, the focus of U.S. military interventions has continued to align with economic interests. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, initiated post-9/11, were partly justified through the lens of fighting terrorism; however, their outcomes reflect complex motivations, including securing access to Iraq’s oil reserves and establishing military bases in key regions (Klare, 2002). More recently, the American military presence in Africa and the Middle East aims to counter terrorism but also supports regional stability that benefits U.S. economic and geopolitical interests, exemplifying the ongoing role of military power as a tool for economic advantage (Tarzi, 2014). Notably, the recent troop deployments and drone operations in Syria and Iraq underscore a continued interest in maintaining strategic dominance rather than solely countering terrorism.

Critics of this view argue that these interventions often aim to protect vulnerable populations and regional stability, emphasizing humanitarian concerns and global security. However, such arguments often overlook the underlying strategic and economic motivations that primarily drive U.S. actions. The weak points in opposing viewpoints include the selective framing of interventions as purely humanitarian and neglecting the economic interests that underpin strategic decisions. Moreover, examples such as supporting oppressive regimes for strategic gains demonstrate that the primary motive frequently diverges from proclaimed noble intentions.

Understanding America's role as a global policeman influences contemporary issues in various fields, including international business and diplomatic policy. Nations and corporations operating globally must navigate the repercussions of U.S. military actions and strategic interests. For example, American military interventions can lead to regional instability, affecting economic markets and corporate operations worldwide. In my professional life, particularly in international business, recognizing how superpower status influences global trade and security policies is pivotal. It highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and understanding geopolitical risks, emphasizing that America’s policing role shapes many aspects of the modern economy and diplomatic relations.

References

• Bush, G. H. W. (1991). Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Cessation of the Persian Gulf Conflict.
• Dulles, J. F. (1954). Secretary Dulles’ Strategy of Massive Retaliation.
• Klare, M. (2002). Endless Military Superiority.
• Schultz, K. M. (2018). HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865. 5th ed.
• Tarzi, S. M. (2014). The Folly of a Grand Strategy of Coercive Global Primacy: A Fresh Perspective on the Post-9/11 Bush Doctrine.
• Reagan, R. (1983). Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals.
• Powell, C. (2003). Transcript of Powell’s UN Presentation.
• Additional scholarly sources from the online library and academic journals.