multilateralism

An assumption has underlain US foreign policy for the post WWII era, namely, "we're the ones who call the shots, economically and militarily". We have actively sought the role of world policeman, and have undercut efforts to make UN peacekeepers a credible force. This presumption of superiority has created much of the mess we're currently in, particularly as we have backed autocratic regimes and ousted democratically elected governments, while maintaining the myth of democratic ideals.

I expect a stronger strategic partnership between the U.S. and the UN under the next administration. While this partnership may never reach a full commitment, the U.S. will also never break off the relationship, as it needs the legitimacy of the UN to address issues like global warming, the food crisis, pandemic diseases, and humanitarian disasters.