U.S. EXCEPTIONALIST ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Abstract

The United States’ foreign policy and attitude towards the rest of the international community has grown increasingly aggressive and uncooperative with others. Often acting through a sense of U.S. exceptionalism, the United States often tries to police the world and have other nations act according to its own morals and values, often causing friction and damage to relations. In its foreign policy, both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama have furthered this exceptionalist behavior, with the former lacking subtlety and utilizing old Cold War era thinking or aggression to get his objectives accomplished, and the latter relying on soft power and subtle yet increasing military presence to achieve U.S. desires. In its usage of drone warfare, the United States routinely ignores the civilian casualties in its usage, ignores international agreements, or ignores the wishes of foreign nations, which has led to damaged U.S. credibility and authority overseas. Finally, the United States has shown to only follow international agreements or organizations when convenient for its plans, often seeking to police other nations who do not follow these guidelines, which leads to worsened relations and possible future conflict. All of these aspects have led to the United States’ image and influence being damaged internationally, with its ability to conduct diplomacy with other nations in jeopardy.