Critically assess Wildavskys theory of the two presidencies Free Essay Example, 3750 words

Merril explains that their relationship rests wth their capcity to deifne aspects such as the national identity of Americans. Merril writes that â€Å"foreign policy plays a profoundly significant role in the process of creating, affirming, and discipling conceptions of national identity† (2009, p. 13). In essence, Merril explains that foreign policy and domestic together function to impact on the perception of Americans on issues concerning national identity. An example is the way the politics of national security has unfolded especially after the September 11 attacks on U. S. soil. The perception of the American citizen was awakened by the extent to which U. S. foreign policy greatly contributed to national security. The realities of the 9/11 attacks perhaps reminded most policy makers of what had been mentioned by former American Predident Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson oulined that the objective of foreign policy was to consolidate the objectives of the domestic policies from a broader perspective (McCormick, 2010, p. 11). The general realization is that the objectives of domestic policies could not be made effectively when there were non-functional or weak foreign policies. The situation has even become more compounded by globalization and the concept of global village. We will write a custom essay sample on Critically assess Wildavskys theory of the two presidencies or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now An issue like immigration laws affect both foreign and domestic policies because they define the acceptance by Americans of people from foreign countries and the impact these people will have on America’s domestic issues. Initially, the United Stats had preferred an isolationism policy where the leadership of the country concentrated on developing the country while contributing minimally to glbal politics. According to Kaufman (2010, p. 57), the period between the end of 1st World War and the 2nd World War was marked by America’s withdrawal from active international politics. Furthermore, during this period the nation implemented strict immigration policies to regulate the number of people that moved into the country. However, being a country that was very significant in world politics the United States as pulled into what came to be 2nd World War that led to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by U. S. in 1945. The extent to which foreign and domestic policies interplay is therefore dependent on a number of factors some of which are beyond the control of presidents. However, one must still agree that the president is the major implementor of these policies because they represent his values and ambitions as the custodian of the American beliefs and democracy.