5. George W. Bush, Realism and Neoconservatism, 2001–2009

Unlike Bill Clinton, who began his presidency intending to place more emphasis on idealistic considerations than his immediate predecessor, George W. Bush initially was determined to follow a more realistic foreign policy, one that gave priority to US national interests over more idealistic concerns, such as nation-building, humanitarian intervention, or the global problems facing the international community. However, after the 9/11 tragedy, Bush shifted to a much more ideological philosophy, one that was advanced by the so-called neoconservatives. They argued that the United States must work to spread American ideals globally, especially democracy. Ironically, however, the Bush administration not only failed to spread democracy, but also violated basic human rights, and it also implemented policies that were contrary to the national interests of the United States. The most important result of Bush’s adoption of the neoconservative philosophy was the disastrous US invasion of Iraq.