ABSTRACT
Many authors have sought to identify a uniquely American approach to international affairs, but it is also recognized that significant differences exist between schools of thought. Adapting previous typologies, this chapter describes in detail the cultural beliefs and preferences of alternative schools of thought on grand strategy in the United States. Each school is described systematically, considering its basic strategic paradigm regarding the nature of world politics, American exceptionalism, attitudes toward international institutions and great powers, the nature of security threats, and the proper use of force. This description of basic beliefs is then extended to include attitudes toward nuclear nonproliferation in general, and policy preferences toward Iran and its nuclear program. Stated very briefly, the school of Primacy seeks to retain the pre-eminent position of power enjoyed by the United States in the aftermath of the Cold War. The school of Realist Internationalism emphasizes preserving stability by a careful maintenance of the balance of power between great powers. Progressive Internationalism emphasizes cooperative security and the belief that multilateral diplomacy can resolve conflicts. Finally, Neo-isolationism is comprised of two distinct groups whose bottom line nevertheless converges around reducing the scope of American military commitments abroad.
