Introduction

Abstract

Woodrow Wilson and his legacy epitomized the liberal tradition in American foreign relations. The principles of Wilsonianism, which he articulated, expressed the values of democracy and capitalism, including freedom and human rights, which most Americans have lauded. Although I share these values, the chapters in this book are critical of Wilsonian ideology and statecraft. Responsible exercise of power requires more than affirmation of liberal values in the abstract; it also involves their fulfillment in practice. Good intentions are not enough. As a realist, I focus on both ends and means, both power and responsibility. It is important to scrutinize the methods used to achieve liberal goals and the often unintended negative consequences of pursuing even laudatory purposes in international relations. I do not share the liberal belief in progressive history, which has traditionally undergirded American expectations that well-intended actions will result in positive outcomes at bearable costs, at least in the long run. Like other realists, I stress the centrality of power in international relations. But power, as I understand it, is not a narrow concept; it includes culture and political economy as well as military strength. More than most realists, I emphasize pluralism in the modern world. The crosscurrents between global interdependence and pluralism limited Wilson’s ability—and that of his successors—to achieve his vision of a new world order. So, too, did the inherent dilemmas and contradictions among his principles. That would not have surprised eighteenth-century founders of the American republic, who appreciated the balance of power in international relations and in a federal government with three branches.KeywordsForeign PolicyInternational RelationWorld OrderNorth Atlantic Treaty OrganizationWorld AffairThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.