The Nature of American Foreign Policy

In the present study the phrase “ foreign policy ” will be used to refer to the purposes or objectives and the corresponding program of action held in view by one nation in carrying on its relations with other nations. More especially it is intended to refer beyond the surface current of events which constitute the foreign affairs or diplomatic relations of a nation in an objective sense, and which are frequently confused with the rules or tenets of policy followed by the nation in conducting its foreign affairs, and to indicate solely the principles guiding the nation in this activity. Without interpretation in terms of principle, a record of the discontinuous incidents in the foreign affairs of a nation is as meaningless as a list of the names of the kings of England.