Cultural Factors Influencing American Diplomacy Practice In The Latter Half Of Twentith Century

The establishment and actualization of foreign policy are effected by several factors. The diplomatic action embody the comprehensive national strength. This strength do not only mean"hard ware"such as population, territory, economic power and military power, but also evolve cultural factors which can be reflected in international morality, values, democracy thoughts, political system and life style. We usually call these"soft ware". Cultural factor play an important role in the establishment and actualization of foreign policy. Along with the process of globalization, there are more and more communication and impact between different political culture, and increasingly influence foreign policy. The discussion of cultural factors in foreign policy becomes a hotspot among scholars. Since the second half of twentieth century, United States has become the super power in the world. It is a critical mission to spread culture, values and political system of American governments. Cultural is an important portion in the identity of nation. According to constructivism, culture can influence one country's motivation as well as the essential characteristics, which means national identity. Observe and analyze international issues from cultural view has become a magnitude feature of contemporary international political study. As the super power, there is obvious combination of political culture and foreign policy in United States and has a great consequences on international relations.Survey the American foreign policy during the second half of twentieth century, we can describe a clear political cultural ideology in foreign policies of United States. We can see that in Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine in the early days of Cold War; Cuba Missile Crisis and Vietnam War in 1960s. This ideology is oppose radical society transform; resist proletarian dictatorship; sustain mild reformism; approve power decentralization and individual freedom. Under this political culture, United States repressed the national liberation movement in Cuba and Vietnam as best as he can and assaulted the socialism in China and Soviet Union. Just under this political culture, United States fostered the defeated countries in World War Two which identify the political values such as Germany, Japan and Italy. Since 1980s, especially the post-Cold War, the cultural factor in American foreign policy becomes more obvious, particularly the"Human Diplomacy","Sovereignty in People's hands"and"Free Market Economy". It is easy to see that the political cultural values are clearly reflected in American foreign policy. In fact, since the beginning of Cold War, especially in the post-Cold War period, the American government endeavors to spread the cultural values, and attempt to make American Mode become valid in the whole world to reshape the world.We can see the function of political culture during the second half of twentieth century, no matter the counterplot with Soviet Union and the strive for the world hegemony. United States need to spread the democracy system, market economy system and human rights values in the world. Despite the spread is propitious to the democracy development in the world, but substantively, this is an important tool to promote hegemony.