Foreign policy reflects and shapes the goals, interests, values, and aspirations of state actors in the global arena. It encompasses a wide range of issues and activities, from forming military alliances to managing economic relations. It can include international cooperation and humanitarian programs that support less powerful nations or address global challenges such as climate change and pandemics. It can also include military interventions aimed at protecting national security and addressing threats to the world order.
At the other extreme, imperialism is a system of extending power through territorial annexation and political and economic control. It has been widely criticized as reprehensible and contrary to the rules-based international order.
Finally, there are states that choose to follow a policy of non-alignment or neutrality. India, for example, follows a policy of Panchsheel that requires India to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries while retaining its autonomy and independence.
When it comes to long-range policy goals, most Americans say that preventing terrorist attacks and maintaining the United States’ military advantage over other countries are top priorities. But there are notable differences in partisanship on other questions, including the importance of limiting the influence of Russia and China and finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Millennials need to hear, in clear and accessible terms, why engagement in these and other international concerns is an investment in American’s future, and that the risks of leaving it unaddressed can be much more severe than those of taking a strong stance.