The Effects Of "Manifest Destiny" In American Foreign Policy

In the complicated international relations, the making and practicing of foreign policy is influenced by many factors, of which the national interest is the basic starting point. Therefore, we used to viewing the foreign policy of one country in its realistic perspective. However, we should know that, besides national interest, the special political culture and its values of one nation can also exercise great influence on foreign policy. In the long run, the effects of cultural values are the truly inner sense through one country's foreign policy, and could also influence the formation of its diplomatic traditions.Resting on such consideration, this thesis selects the American cultural values of"Manifest Destiny"as the research subject, which is deeply rooted in American national consciousness, and analyzes its effects on American foreign policy in a very detailed way. The whole thesis is to discuss the important effect of culture, especially the cultural values in American foreign policy, so that we can grasp the essence of American diplomacy allsidedly and profoundly.This thesis is made up of four chapters:Chapter one is the opening part, which is consist of three subsections, mainly introducing the meaning, origin and evolvement of"Manifest Destiny".Chapter two is the argument part, which puts forward five arguments. First, many American politicians have a strong sense of mission; second,"Manifest Destiny"stimulated the dream of American to be the leadership of the world; third, the conception of mission impelled the expansion of America, especially expanding their values of freedom and democracy; fourth, because of the messianic spirit, American always likes to intervene the affairs of other countries; fifth, the sense of mission has struck deep roots among the Americans, so it could influence American foreign policy's making in a indirect way.Chapter three is the grounds part, which is aimed to prove the arguments in chapter two. It firstly summarizes the new changes of the conception of mission since the 9·11 attacks, and then according to the arguments in chapter two particularly elucidates the effects of"Manifest Destiny"in the policy-making of the Iraqi war 2003 made by the Bush-administration.Chapter four is the ending part. With the conclusions of the whole thesis, the author give three advices to our government that could help to handle the Sino-America relations better.