Foreign Exchanges: the Podcast The Institutions Behind US Foreign Policy, with Daniel Bessner
Oct 16, 2020
Daniel Bessner, a University of Washington professor and Quincy Institute fellow, dives into the depths of U.S. foreign policy and its institutional frameworks. He critiques the enduring influence of realism and the 'blob' of established policymakers, arguing for reforms from a leftist perspective. The conversation also highlights the pivotal role of the National Security Council and the need for a non-militarized approach to global issues. Bessner emphasizes constructive U.S.-China relations and the necessity for diverse voices in academia and media to reshape policy views.
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Manichaean Framework Shaped US Policy
- US foreign policy adopted a Manichaean framework after WWII, casting rivals as existential 'evil' threats.
- That framing shifted from Nazis to the Soviet Union, then to jihadism and now to China, shaping long-term strategy.
Realism Reinforces Pessimistic Diplomacy
- Realism treats conflict as endemic and sees no supranational guarantor of order, embedding a pessimistic view of diplomacy.
- That foundational belief aligns with Manichaean thinking and downplays long-term international institution-building.
Realism Can Support Selective Empire
- Realists oppose 'dumb empire' but often endorse permanent hegemonic postures where strategic interest demands it.
- Thus realism can support selective imperial strategies rather than an anti-imperial left-wing stance.