The Foreign Policy of Trump's First Administration: The Republican Turnaway from Internationalism

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Faculty of Law & Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The rise of Donald Trump in the United States and his foreign policy positions represent the most significant departure from internationalism in Republican administrations' foreign policy since the end of World War II. This shift stands in stark contrast to the highly internationalist and interventionist approaches of the three preceding Republican administrations. Such a notable change raises the question: Why did the Trump administration choose a foreign policy path different from its predecessors? To address this question, the present study employs neoclassical realism as its theoretical framework and utilizes a historical research method. It examines three historical periods in U.S. foreign policy in which Republican inclinations toward internationalism declined. By analyzing intra-party dynamics in these three periods, the study aims to identify the key factors influencing shifts in Republican foreign policy. The findings indicate a direct relationship between the reduction of threats to U.S. security and interests and the decline of internationalism in Republican foreign policy. In all three periods, following the decline of a major threat to the U.S., there was a growing shift away from internationalism in Republican foreign policy preferences, which subsequently influenced the foreign policies of Republican administrations. In this context, Trump's foreign policy discourse emerged due to the diminished threat from terrorist groups and the Republican Party's reluctance to bear the high costs of the War on Terror. From this perspective, Trump's foreign policy discourse represents a balance between security concerns and cost aversion within Republican policy preferences.

Keywords

Smiley face

References

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American Strategic Studies
Volume 4, Issue 4 - Serial Number 16
Serial number 16 - Winter 2025
February 2025
Pages 35-68

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 19 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 24 February 2025
  • Publish Date: 24 February 2025

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