U3 AOS2 - Power in the Asia-Pacific (US)

National Interests

Means of pursuing national interests

Key Terms

Differing interpretations of National Interests

Foreign Policy Instruments (FPIs)

Types of Power

Economic Prosperity - living standards

National Security - domestic safety

International Standing - reputation

Regional Relationships - alliances

Military - influence through armed force

Soft - influence through attraction

Hard - influence through coercion

Economic - influence through financial resources

Political - influence internal government

Diplomatic - influence through negotiation

Cultural - influence through shared values, beliefs, and practices

Trade

Aid

Military

Diplomacy

The need for border protection along the Southern border with Mexico

The need for trade and commitment to trade agreements

International relationships, particularly with China

Varying levels of commitment to intergovernmental organisations

'America's regional relationship with China is best served by a policy of containment and engagement' - The Democratic Party under the Biden Administration

'America's regional relationship with China is best served by confronting and coercing China' - The Republican Party under the Trump Administration

'America's national security is best served by constructing a physical barrier and enforcing the border using hard power' - The Republican Party under the Trump Administration

'America's national security s best served by not constructing a wall along the Southern Border' - The Democratic Party

'America's economic prosperity is best served by multilateral trade deals such as the TPP' - The Democratic Party under the Obama Administration

'America should preference bilateral trade deals and will withdraw of re-negotiate multilateral trade deals if its not satisfied with the outcome' - The Republican Party under the Trump Administration

'America's international standing is best served by withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement' - The Republican Party under the Trump Administration

'America's international standing would be better served by being a part of the Paris Climate Agreement' - The Democratic Party under the Biden Administration

Sovereignty - the legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control over territory within recognised borders.

Power - the ability for one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor

National interests - goals and objectives that a country seeks to achieve to ensure its security, prosperity, and overall well-being.

Security - the protection of state borders and the environment, in pursuit of sovereignty.

Pragmatism - a school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by practical consideration, as opposed to a particular ideology.

Idealism - a school of thought in which policy is primarily influenced by an ideological principle, as opposed to a practical consideration.