Understanding the Spectrum of U.S. Foreign Policy: A Guide to the Six Schools of Thought

Foreign policy is set to take center stage at the upcoming Republican presidential primary debates, with candidates expressing a wide range of views on U.S. assistance to Ukraine. The debate in August saw Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis questioning the need for continued aid to Ukraine, while entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy went as far as calling it “disastrous” for the U.S. Former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, on the other hand, expressed strong support for assisting Ukraine.

On the Democratic side, there has been some skepticism towards President Biden’s policy on Ukraine, with progressive Democrats sending a letter to the president calling for a diplomatic end to the conflict and potential sanctions relief for Russia.

The current political atmosphere has highlighted the complexity of foreign policy views, with traditional party lines blurring. The article outlines six distinct schools of foreign policy thought, ranging from internationalists who advocate for active U.S. engagement in global affairs to non-internationalists who seek to scale back U.S. commitments.

The piece delves into the key attributes and prominent voices of each school of thought, shedding light on the nuances that shape policymakers’ views on the U.S. role in the world. It also examines how recent U.S. presidents have navigated these different schools of thought, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a consistent foreign policy approach.

As the Republican candidates gear up for the primaries, their positions on foreign policy will be closely scrutinized. From democratic internationalists to realist internationalists and retraction advocates, the candidates represent a diverse range of views that will shape the future direction of U.S. foreign policy. Voters will need to consider these nuanced perspectives when making their choices in the upcoming election.