Presidential Doctrines
This is a list of U.S. Presidential doctrines. American foreign policy is constantly a work in process, and has been shaped over time by the attitudes of many different leaders. The ideology of the president is very important in shaping foreign policy, and throughout the 20th century almost every President of the United States has been cited with his own doctrine that outlined a key goal for the US to pursue in foreign affairs.
Just so you know, I read a lot of books. I've read nearly every president's memoir, and books about him and other books by them. I read a lot of history. Do you? Before you slam my views, tell me what books you read on this subject (or do you just listen to what the news or the government school history books or your friends told you?).
[Special insert: If I were the President of the United States the following would be my doctrine. Is it consistent with the doctrine of past presidents, regardless of political party? Note that in the Conservative circles in which I associate, my doctrine would be laughed at and scorned - this has happened to me already. Too bad.]
Jordan Doctrine on International Policy: The United States will be politically neutral [1] yet not isolationist [2], militarily strong [3] for defensive purposes [4], and set an international example for freedom, liberty, and law [5] while respecting the diversity that is America [6].
[1] The United States will enter into no political alliance with any foreign country. Whenever we have, and they go to war, we go to war, and their enemies become our enemies.
[2] The United States encourages international travel of its citizenry and the pursuit of international commerce. However, if you get mugged, or your company gets nationalized by a dictator, don't expect Uncle Sam to come bail you out. If you risk your life or property outside of our borders, and find yourself in harm's way, you are on your own.
[3] The United States will have the strongest possible military, including the Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Army. We will be proud, strong, employ the latest technology, and cooperate within the Services to achieve national safety and security.
[4] The United States military will exist to be defensive, that is, to protect our homeland and borders and people and property. We will strike outside of our borders, even pre-emptive, only when our homeland defense is threatened. Will will not have occupation forces in any foreign country. We will not occupy, invade, or infringe on another country.
[5] The United States recognizes the evil men do in foreign lands and recognizes evil even in its own bosom. We will set the example of freedom, liberty, and the rule of law, above which is no man, including the President of the United States. We will demonstrate through peaceful actions, orderliness, and sustained prosperity that the American model works and therefore is to be desired. We are a "city set on a hill" and we will act like it.
[6] The United States is a land of opportunity and is indeed the "great melting pot." We see this as a strength. The United States includes persons of all race, color, and creed. All are respected inside of the law. Anyone outside of the law will feel the full weight of that indiscretion in a court of law.
Thus, my Doctrine is one of non-intervention. Is that shared by the president's below? This is why people who think like I do in the arena of foreign policy will never be president. Intervention, sending aid, all tangle the US in other countries affairs and gain the US more enemies. Thomas Jefferson said to avoid European alliances, as they are a nation of eternal warmongers. Too bad Tommy didn't take his own advise in the Barbary Wars.
Monroe Doctrine: The Americas should be free from future European colonization and free from European interference in sovereign countries' affairs.
[Theodore] Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: That the U.S. has the right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American and particularly Caribbean countries whose indebtedness or institutional disarray might otherwise lead to intervention by European powers.
This led to not a few wars. Can you believe the arrogance of that Doctrine? Read it again. We have the RIGHT to intervene... Who, pray tell, gives us that right?
Truman Doctrine: If one nation falls to a communist takeover, it will logically follow that its surrounding nations are also at risk for a communist takeover (the domino theory).
Therefore let's drop an atomic bomb. Truman should have been tried and executed for crimes against humanity. The domino theory had been used from 1945 to 1975 and has been thoroughly discredited - but it caused a lot of bloodshed along the way.
Eisenhower Doctrine: Non-communist governments must receive aid and support from the US, because otherwise they are in danger of falling under Soviet influences.
Sure they are. Who's going to finance this? These governments that we give aid to oppress their own people. Why would we support that? One of two West Pointers to be president (the other was US Grant), military leaders always see the military solution. Is that good?
Kennedy Doctrine: The United States will oppose the formation of any Latin-American communist government.
Oppose who? Who are we to tell another country what they can and cannot do? A bright man with the backing of unlimited wealth, widely acknowledged for stealing the election of 1960, got us started on the road to Vietnam. Once the door was opened...
Johnson Doctrine: U.S. will intervene in the Western Hemisphere to prevent a communist threat to any government.
Can you spell V-i-e-t-n-a-m? See what these interventionist policies lead to? Easily one of the worst presidents of the 20th century. Huge ego. Unbridled ambition. A great "deal maker." Let himself go after his presidency. Most of the 55,000 war dead in Vietnam will be laid to his feet. Who knows how many Vietnamese dead?
Nixon Doctrine: When direct US military presence is not possible, the US shall train and assist native rebels in the country of the conflict.
How about we train their citizens in freedom, liberty, law? And by the way, why would we want to train others to kill? Is that what we want to be knows for? Nixon should have gone to prison for his betrayal of the office of the President.
Carter Doctrine: An attempt by any outside forces to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.
Is the word "interest" in the Constitution? What is an "interest"? Would you die for one? Carter is a decent man, but was totally inept at the presidency and if hadn't been for Reagan the country would have been in a very sad state. Best thing Carter did as president was defeat Edward Kennedy in the primary.
Reagan Doctrine: Anti-communist rebels must be supported because they oppose tyranny.
When does it end? Has this ever changed anything in all of human history? By the way, Reagan gets my vote for the greatest president of the 20th century. He turned around a very sad time in American history. A lot of people went broke during the Carter years and more would have had Reagan not led the change. Reagan's only real scandal during his presidency surrounded the events of Iran-Contra. Hmmm.... the roots of that scandal are found in his foreign policy doctrine, are they not?
Clinton Doctrine: The best way to maintain stability in large areas that hold US interests is to combat instability in small areas, before the conflicts can intensify and spread.
I'll ask it again, Is the word "interest" in the Constitution? What is an "interest"? Would you die for one? A gifted and articulate man, with the energy of a horse, Bill Clinton will be remembered by his detractors as a grossly immoral man who thoroughly shamed the presidency, and he'll be remembered by his admirers as a man who lost the house and senate to the GOP two years into his term - that hadn't happened since Eisenhower. During his scandal with a White House intern he deflected attention by launching "Monica Missiles" in eastern Europe. What do you think those people think of the United States? Are they our friends? Could this have played a part in the Twin Tower bombings?
[George W.] Bush Doctrine: When there is evidence suggesting the threat of attack by a nation or terrorist group, the US has the right to a pre-emptive "first strike".
I'm OK with this doctrine at face value, but only as a very last resort. Note that a backward country like Iraq can't even get out of its own way, yet we're over there, half a world away, occupying it, and they were about as much threat to us a Cuba. Be careful how you execute your Doctrine. We probably have a 100-year war on our hands.
Jordan Doctrine on Domestic Policy: The government of the United States will be small [1], inefficient [2], respectful of States' rights [3], and operate fiscally prudent [4]. It exists to keep the peace and promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans [5].
[1] Small government has a small appetite. The private sector will be encouraged in commerce and industry and not be in competition with the federal government.
[2] The founding fathers had numerous checks and balances so as to not have power concentrated in the hands of the few. We will keep it that way. There will be no "powerful" Senators or Representatives. Serve for a short time and then get back to private life.
[3] The several states of the United States of America have rights and responsibilities and these will be respected and maintained - so long as the Constitution of the United States is not violated.
[4] The United States will operate in a sound fiscal manner. Budgets will be balanced. Needless programs and pork barrel projects dismantled. Member of congress and the White House who do not balance the budget will do so with their own personal fortunes. Programs will be paid for by tax receipts or their will be no programs. We will return to the gold standard as a means of preventing government inflating of the money supply.
[5] America is a land of ideals and ideas. We can do better than abortions through the full term of a baby, euthanasia, pornography, white collar crime, abuses of power and position, oppression, and prejudice. Let us remember the words of JFK, "ask not what your country (the US Government) can do for you, as what you can do for your country (your fellow American - not the US Government)"