How the American foreign policy affects democratization and human rights

Foreign policy of America is found to be potent instrument for long to shape landscape of the global political considerations. It is therefore observed to be playing critical role in promoting democratization alongside advocating for the rights of human, yet, the impact of it is considered nuanced and also frequently fraught with major contradictions. In this accordance, it can be stated that the United States of America is frequently being champion regarding democratic values and human rights on the global stage. That is also by employing hard and soft power strategies both equally. However, on the contrary, the actions of it’s sometimes are found to be revealing certain tension between strategic interests and moral imperatives. Thus, correspondently, at this present discussion, the focus would on delving into the way American foreign policies have influenced democratization as well as human rights across the globe. That is also by exploring the success and existing limitations both on the basis of historical contexts and exemplified analysis in depth.

It is to be stated that throughout the Cold War, it is seen that foreign policy of America had been driven by the need of countering Soviet influences in predominant manner. It is further to be comprehended that during this specific era, U.S has backed several regimes and their movements that had been aligned with the strategic interests of it (Terman and Byun, 2022). That is also by often supporting government authoritarian manners if they had served as the bulwarks against major communism. Certainly, in this context, it is further to be stated that this specific pragmatic approach at times could undermine wider democracy ideals alongside human rights. For example; it can be seen that support of U.S for dictatorship of military in the Latin America at the period of 1970s as well as 1980s have highlighted the way considerations of geopolitical aspects often tool precedence more than principles related to democracy (Colomina et al. 2021).

On the other hand, in contrast, it is further to be seen that following the fall of Soviet Union, the foreign policy of America had observed major renewed emphasis on democracy and its spread alongside respect for the human rights. Contextually, 1990s had witnessed involvement of U.S in context of efforts for promoting governance of democracy across the Eastern European region and other regimes of the world as well (Aydin, 2021). This specific period has further marked the shifts toward usage of economic aids, diplomatic involvements and interventions of the military as it is seen in Balkans. That is also for the purpose of facilitating transformation politically. However, contrarily, yet even at this era, critics have argued that actions by U.S have been selective at times as it has favored regions that are having strategic significance over those where abusing the rights of humans had been rampant (Dragu and Lupu, 2021).

It is further to be comprehended that United States has often positioned itself as the global advocate leading towards democratization. Moreover, it is also to be considered that American initiatives in terms of election monitoring as well as institutional supports towards having interventions directly would have aimed at establishing stable and democratic governments often (Arbatli and Rosenberg, 2021). On the other hand, considering Eastern Europe after Cold War, it is to be seen that U.S has played pivotal role to support democracies that are in rise, by helping in stabilization of the regions that had been as per authoritarian rules over the decades. In addition to this, it is further to be evaluated that assistance programs from America have also provided financial resources as well as technical expertise alongside capacity establishing measures required necessarily for the purpose of developing democratic institutions (Gani and Marshall, 2022).

However, on the contrary, democracy promotion is observed to not being straightforward always. In this context, it is seen that U.S has at times been criticized for having democracy promotion in use as the cover to advocate its core strategic interests. For example; it can be considered that invasion of Iraq in 2003 has been justified partly on the grounds to liberate dictatorial regimes alongside spreading democracies (Kasa et al. 2021). However, ensuring chaos have underscored challenges of imposing structures of democracy in the societies with sectarian and political divisions that are deeply seated. These specific experiences have further led towards wider debate on whether democratic models that are imposed externally could take the root without organic and any internal assistances.

Moreover, on critical note, it is to be implied that foreign policy of America has equally sought for elevating human rights on the base of international agenda. In this context, it is evident that U.S has used diplomatic pressures on continuous manner, alongside economic sanctions and international forums for condemning abusing human rights (Regilme, Jr. and Hodzi, 2021). For instance apartheid regimes across South Africa have sustained activism of U.S and that has further contributed towards the global isolation that has created pressured transformations. Moreover, American promotion considering human rights is seen to not only been restricted to repressive regimes, but also, it is extended for supporting organizations of civil society and providing platforms to dissidents to state their demands.

Yet, it is seen that the intersection of advocacy of human rights alongside interests of national security presented challenges inherently. In this context, it is found that in many cases, U.S has maintained strategic alliances with regimes that would exhibit records of poor human rights exposures (Regilme Jr., 2023). Thus, the balancing act between realpolitik as well as engagement being principled could be undermining credibility of the advocacy of American human rights practices.

Henceforth, on critical point, considering the discussion above, it can be concluded that foreign policy of America is continually wielding major influence over human rights as well as democratization across the globe. While, it is seen that the U.S has been able to championed the values of democracy and human rights based on diplomatic engagements, economic supports and major strategic interventions, its actions on the other hand have reflected complex mix of ethical aspirations at times with pragmatic interests. Thus, as the international community is becoming interconnected on rising manner, the challenge for United States is underlying in terms of reconciling its core strategic imperatives with commitments consistently towards the principles of universal democracies. By doing that, it would be able to aspire to become not only the global leader considering power but also the beacon of hope for all ideals of democracies and dignity of humans.

Homework help UK , plagiarism free assignment help UK , online essay help UK

Arbatli, E. and Rosenberg, D., 2021. United we stand, divided we rule: how political polarization erodes democracy. Democratization, 28(2), pp.285-307.

Aydin, U., 2021. Emerging middle powers and the liberal international order. International Affairs, 97(5), pp.1377-1394.

Colomina, C., Margalef, H.S., Youngs, R. and Jones, K., 2021. The impact of disinformation on democratic processes and human rights in the world. Brussels: European Parliament, pp.1-19.

Dragu, T. and Lupu, Y., 2021. Digital authoritarianism and the future of human rights. International Organization, 75(4), pp.991-1017.

Gani, J.K. and Marshall, J., 2022. The impact of colonialism on policy and knowledge production in International Relations. International Affairs, 98(1), pp.5-22.

Kasa, T., Rautiainen, M., Malama, M. and Kallioniemi, A., 2021. ‘Human rights and democracy are not self-evident’: Finnish student teachers’ perceptions on democracy and human rights education. Human Rights Education Review, 4(2), pp.69-84.

Regilme Jr, S.S., 2023. United States foreign aid and multilateralism under the Trump presidency. New Global Studies, 17(1), pp.45-69.

Regilme, Jr, S.S.F. and Hodzi, O., 2021. Comparing US and Chinese foreign aid in the era of rising powers. The International Spectator, 56(2), pp.114-131.

Terman, R. and Byun, J., 2022. Punishment and politicization in the international human rights regime. American Political Science Review, 116(2), pp.385-402.