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Global Relations Unit III Glossary U.S. Role in the World American Exceptionalism. The belief that America is unique, special, and different from other nations because of its civil and religious liberty and its democratic form of government and that America’s values should serve as an example for the rest of the world to follow. American Empire. In the 21st century the international role of the United States has increasingly been described in terms of empire. Empire is a metaphor for America’s worldwide military domination and its global political, economic, and cultural influence in the world today. Hegemony. The influence or domination of a major country over smaller, weaker states within its sphere of influence. The term is often used today to describe the dominant role that the U.S. plays in the world today. Hegemon. A dominant country that exerts influence or control over smaller or weaker countries. The U.S. is sometimes described as a “global hegemon” today. Idealism. An approach to international relations based on the belief that a state’s foreign policy should be based on moral values and legal principles. Imperialism. A policy of extending a country’s power through the acquisition of additional territory or through direct control over other countries. Critics of American foreign policy who believe the U.S. wants to dominate the world have often described U.S. actions as being “imperialistic.” Isolationists. Those on the far right of the political spectrum who want the U.S. to withdraw from involvement overseas. Liberal Internationalists: Describes those to the left of center on the political spectrum. They are idealists who believe that U.S. foreign policy should emphasize the protection of human rights and they are multilateralists who stress the importance of working with other nations who share our ideals. Messianic. “Marked by idealism and an aggressive crusading spirit, a sense of historic mission.” The term is often used today to express the idea that America’s mission is to “save the world” by spreading its values and ideals. Neoconservatives. Describes the conservative idealists found to the right of center on the political spectrum who believe the spread of democracy is the most important U.S. foreign policy goal. Pax Americana. Latin meaning “peace imposed by America.” Compares America’s power today with the power exercised by Rome at the height of the Roman Empire. Supporters of Pax Americana argue that the U.S. should use its power to impose peace, order, and stability on the rest of the world. Radicals. Describes those on the far left of the political spectrum who accuse the U.S. of seeking global dominance. 2 Realism (Realpolitik). An approach to foreign policy based on hard, pragmatic (practical) considerations rather than on moral or idealistic concerns. Realpolitik is German for “the politics of reality” and is often applied to the policies of nations that consider only their own interests in dealing with other countries. Realists. Describes the conservative internationalists to the right of center on the political spectrum. They believe the promotion of U.S. interests should determine American foreign policy and that order and stability is more important than either the promotion of democracy or the protection of human rights. Soft power. The ability to obtain desired outcomes through the power of attraction rather than coercion. The term is used in contrast to economic or military power, which are both sometimes referred to as “hard power”. A country’s soft power causes others to follow it and to emulate it out of admiration and respect. Soft power is derived from a country’s culture, values, political ideals, and the policies that it follows. Soft power may also refer to a country’s use of diplomacy or humanitarian gestures such as foreign aid or disaster relief. Superpower. A great power with global influence because of its military and/or its economic power. A superpower is so powerful in relation to other countries that it’s in a class by itself. Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has been the world’s only superpower. Unilateralism. A policy of acting alone in the conduct of foreign affairs, characterized by minimal consultation and involvement with other nations, even allies. During the first term of the Bush administration there was a perceived shift towards a more unilateral approach to U.S. foreign policy. Unipolar system. An international system dominated by one powerful state. The world today is often described as being unipolar because of the dominant position of the United States.