ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the values and ideals which underpin the principles and purposes that shape the American national identity; and defines the United States' national interests and introduces some of the dilemmas associated with translating the national interests into specific national objectives. It traces the evolving ways in which these national interests have been translated into specific objectives and analyzes the order of priority assigned to the various component parts of the national interests and objectives since the founding of the republic. The chapter outlines, prioritizes, and analyzes the relationship between the various, contemporary, global and regional foreign policy objectives of the United States, as interpreted by him, as the republic enters the 21 Century. During the early years of the new American republic, the United States concentrated much of its attention upon the Western Hemisphere, especially those areas immediately contiguous to the United States.
