The Next American Century
Abstract
The United States is at a great moment in the unfolding of the historical process. Whether it is to be a tragic culmination of history, or one of its farcical interludes must be left to the judgment of writers of a more metaphysical bent. What is clear, however, is that U.S. efforts in its 40-year struggle with its global rival have finally been crowned with success. This paper will seek to suggest a direction for a U.S. strategy to exploit and build upon its victory. In so doing, it will suggest a direction for U.S. fiscal and economic policy that might be seen as inconvenient for domestic political reasons. It is beyond the scope of this paper and the skill of its author to suggest political solutions to such political questions. The purpose of the paper is to suggest the optimum arrangement of all aspects of American power to maximize its international advantages. It does so with the recognition that the domestic political process that can deliver such an arrangement may well be convoluted or even impractical. Nevertheless, it appears worthwhile to demonstrate the international security advantages of initiating such a process. The current administration has little taste for grand strategy. In part, this is the natural reaction of skilled, experienced, and successful operators of the U.S. national security apparatus who long ago learned that events rarely can be accommodated in some ethereal grand plan. It may be that the administration's aversion was exacerbated by the disappointing efforts of the bureaucracy's national strategy review during the transition between the Reagan and Bush administrations. Nevertheless, American grand strategy needs to be revisited. Any government that wishes to persuade the American people and their elected representatives to support a continuing large international role for the United States must provide them with a rationale that integrates that role with national capabilities, requirements, and values.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA436983
Entities
People
- Joseph M. Dethomas
Organizations
- National War College