ABSTRACT
In considering US assets available to influence trends in the region, realists call on US leaders to slow in reducing US military presence in the region. Imperatives of economic competitiveness, democracy, human rights, and other values have achieved greater prominence in US policymaking. US policy would appear well advised, the realists say, to work closely with these governments wherever there is possible common ground on security, economic, or political issues. As Americans and others grapple with the complexity and fluidity of US policy in East Asia and the Pacific, they may find it useful to see where trends fit into the broad spectrum of debate on US foreign policy. Although contemporary US foreign policy advocates cover a wide range of opinion and issues, one can discern three general schools of thought influencing American policy. The idealists have been most vocal in pressing their concern for strong US policy in support of US political values of democracy and human rights.
