The Chosen Nation: Religion versus Economic Interests in the U.S. Foreign Policy Decision Making
1- Introduction
The United States of America was always a country built on religion and interests. The people who first flew to the new found land did so seeking religious freedom. Once they settled there their first colonies were extremely linked to religion and the settlers were completely dedicated to a rigid religious life. As time passes by; the first Americans started to feel the need to deal with both native Americans and the old Europe in order to survive. After that and due to the fast development of the new country, it was not a matter of surviving anymore but it turned to become a matter of local and national interests. Right from the beginning the US policy makers and according to religiously inspired convictions deeply believed that the united states has a “mission” or a “calling” to transform the world; this belief existed across the centuries in the mind of all Americans, but the politicians and due to national or international circumstances found themselves faced to the fact that they need to leave their religious convictions behind in order to preserve the best interests of America. Because of these two controversial foreign policy making pillars, American foreign policy made fatal mistakes that changed the world throughout at least the last two centuries.
2- Statement of the purpose
2.1.1. Background of the study
The topic of this research proposal addresses the quarrel between the role of religion versus the role of interests in shaping the US foreign policy throughout its history since isolationism up to the 21st century whether in peace time or war time.
I became aware of the problem through my own personal experience in USA and through some broadcasted maneuvers carried out in different parts of the world by both the American diplomacy and the American to which I couldn’t find a logical explanation.
2.2. Purpose of the study
The purpose of the study this study is to highlight the disastrous power of religion as opposed to the power
The United States of America was always a country built on religion and interests. The people who first flew to the new found land did so seeking religious freedom. Once they settled there their first colonies were extremely linked to religion and the settlers were completely dedicated to a rigid religious life. As time passes by; the first Americans started to feel the need to deal with both native Americans and the old Europe in order to survive. After that and due to the fast development of the new country, it was not a matter of surviving anymore but it turned to become a matter of local and national interests. Right from the beginning the US policy makers and according to religiously inspired convictions deeply believed that the united states has a “mission” or a “calling” to transform the world; this belief existed across the centuries in the mind of all Americans, but the politicians and due to national or international circumstances found themselves faced to the fact that they need to leave their religious convictions behind in order to preserve the best interests of America. Because of these two controversial foreign policy making pillars, American foreign policy made fatal mistakes that changed the world throughout at least the last two centuries.
2- Statement of the purpose
2.1.1. Background of the study
The topic of this research proposal addresses the quarrel between the role of religion versus the role of interests in shaping the US foreign policy throughout its history since isolationism up to the 21st century whether in peace time or war time.
I became aware of the problem through my own personal experience in USA and through some broadcasted maneuvers carried out in different parts of the world by both the American diplomacy and the American to which I couldn’t find a logical explanation.
2.2. Purpose of the study
The purpose of the study this study is to highlight the disastrous power of religion as opposed to the power