US Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Coursework

US Public Opinion and Foreign Policy - Coursework Example US Public Opinion and Foreign Policy While many believe that public opinion can and does matter to policy makers, others contend that public opinion complicates or is of relative importance to policy making. If the issue is of great importance to the public and there is a common consensus as to how the problem may be resolved between a majority of the public and policy makers, policy makers are likely to be facilitated in their foreign policy aims. The most recent and significant example of this is the US incursion into Iraq in 2003. When an issue is of lesser importance, resulting in a less educated public, the policy making process can be complicated. Needless to say foreign policy making is the most difficult when it concerns issues of great importance and little common consensus. To ensure political success, presidents and other policy makers must use an understanding of public attitudes to structure their foreign policies for presentation to their constituents. Public opinion is not as malleable as some believe it to be. We only have to point to various examples of American politicians attempting to coerce public opinion on issues that are unpopular with the American public and their lack of success in doing so. One of the major underpinnings of representative democracy is the belief that government policy, both foreign and domestic, is controlled by public opinion and the power of the vote. Whether or not this is a reality with regards to foreign policy has been a question of debate between various theories of international relations over the course of the twentieth century. While most students of the topic admit that public opinion can have some sort of affect on military, economic and political practices abroad, the extent of this impact is fiercely debated, most notably by the realist and liberal camps. Realist theory claims that public opinion is unpredictable and ever changing. Because foreign policy often has its affect in places that are so far removed geographically public opinion has an irrational edge to it. Although Realists do admit that public opinion can have a considerable impact on foreign policy making in democracies, it is for this reason that it is most often "erratic and incoherent" and they conclude that "a good foreign policy is incompatible with the democratic process and therefore the decision-making process should be isolated from the vagaries of public opinion." 1 Foreign policy is far too remote and complex in its issues and very often the public is not well informed enough for it to respond rationally. From the liberal point of view public opinion is seen as a positive element which could bring about a more reasonable and peaceful foreign policy.

55555 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

55555 - Assignment Example The expression provides a virtual picture with which any reader can relate with in an effort to gain better understanding of the qualities that appertain to Okonkwo (Achebe VII). The Ibo words used in by Chinua Achebe in his literally work provide a platform for effective research. Due to the unfamiliarity of the words, there is need for me to look up their meanings across relevant platforms. In the course of researching on the words, as a reader, I am able to gain precision in my command of language and be able to understand the provisions or the content in the reading. As I mentioned earlier, the use of images induces interest to me as the reader. The ability to relate the textual content of the reading and the pictorial expression of the same make reading easier and essentially informative. AS a reader, my aim is to be able to relate or establish a connection with the literally work. For such a connection to prevail, a deep understanding of the readings is mandatory. The images reinforce what I have read and give me a chance to see whatever is being explained in writing. For instance, when Chinua Achebe Talks of The Nok Civilization in Nigeria, it might not be possible to establish a mental visual of the same if a relevant image is not included. However, the integration of the sculpture that illustrates the Nok Civilization elicits interest in reading more about the matter at hand thus encouraging effective reading which is essential for any reader who wants to understand every aspect of specified readings. From my analysis of the of Chinua Achebe’s work, diction is a key and highly notable component of his writing. This is a key determinant of the dominant tone throughout the writing. Diction makes the tone of the Achebe’s writing familiar to the target audience. My textual analysis of the work is mainly based on