Saving the World for Democracy. An Historical Analysis of America's Grand Strategy in the 21st Century
Abstract
This study examines America's new grand strategy that has emerged in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Grand strategy is an overarching concept that guides how nations employ all of the instruments of national power to shape world events and achieve specific national security objectives. Grand strategy provides the linkage between national goals and actions by establishing a deliberately ambiguous vision of the world as we would like it to be (ends) and the methods (ways) and resources (means) we will employ in pursuit of that vision. Effective grand strategies provide a unifying purpose and direction to national leaders, public policy makers, allies, and influential citizens in the furtherance of mutual interests. This study looks at three separate and distinct historical examples of grand strategy: The post-Republican Era of the Roman Empire, the rise of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Kahn, and Great Britain after the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the wars of Spanish Succession. From these examples, we see the common threads that run through all grand strategies and the different approaches that nations take in pursuing their national interests. Next, the study examines the American experience with the emergence of the so-called Monroe Doctrine (America's first grand strategy), the move toward multilateralism as a result of the Second World War, and America's 21st Century grand strategy that emerged post-9/11. Lastly, the author discusses the conflict between America's values and her national interests and the implications for America's future at the end of the Century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 13, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436658
Entities
People
- J. A. Bassani Jr.
Organizations
- National Defense University