How far did the 'Bush Doctrine' constitute a radical shift in US Essay

How far did the 'Bush Doctrine' constitute a radical shift in US foreign policy - Essay Example A historical study is being attempted in this essay to bring out all the elements connected with American foreign policy and its relationship to other countries. Further, various elements of the foreign policy is analyzed here. It is seen that after the Second World War, the Cold War between USA and USSR contributed much to the formation of foreign policies in America. The two pillars of American policy at that time were deterrence and containment. After the fall of USSR in 1991, America became supreme power in the world. As a powerful nation it had to take clear cut foreign policies and the implementation of national security against the uprisings of different segments. But things changed soon. After 2000 America witnessed many damages on its national security. The attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon on September 11, 2001 made America to think more about changing its foreign policy. The president of the time, George W. Bush expressed the need for the change of policy through his set of guidelines, commonly known as ‘Bush’s doctrine. His doctrine changed the foreign policy of America from deterrence and containment to pre-emptive action against the terrorists. The present essay tries to find out how the Bush’s doctrine acted as a great shift in the foreign policy of America. ... ‘America now commanded a degree of power greater than anything recorded in all of human history. No one doubted this; nor did anyone imagine that any other country or group of countries currently existed with the capacity, or the will, to challenge American power.’1 President Bush: His life, visions and Interests George W. Bush is the only President with an MBA in the history of America. He was born on July 6, 1946, in a political as well as business family in New Haven, Connecticut. Heron Marquez in the biography of George W. Bush says, that ‘His grandfather was Prescott Bush, a United states Senator from Connecticut. Other relatives were bankers and Wall Street stockbrokers.’2 His father was George Herbert Walker Bush, America’s 41st President. The background of politics has made him successful at politics along with business. In 1994 he made his entry into politics becoming the governor of Texas. The election for the president in 2000 made many str uggles for him. He was not supposed to be the president by the popular vote, but with the help of court he successfully became the 43rd president of America. In the election campaign Bush stressed the America’s foreign policy on maintaining peace. ‘He summarized his plans by saying, â€Å"I will renew the bond of trust between the American president and the American military. I will defend the American people against missiles and terror. I will begin creating the military of the next country.†3 The speeches of Bush during the campaign were mainly on the matters of American economy, education, and personal aspects. Even though much was not mentioned regarding the foreign policy he had clearly