Jonah Patel
The United States has formal diplomatic relations with most nations, including all United Nations members and observer states except Bhutan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the UN observer Territory of Palestine. The US also has diplomatic ties with Kosovo and the European Union. It engages with other countries through its Department of State, which works to advance democracy, prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, counter terrorist threats, defend human rights, and increase regional and global investments. The US also responds to world health problems and monitors the spread of potentially dangerous diseases. US diplomats work with other nations and through multilateral institutions to improve the lives of people everywhere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic relations | The United States has formal diplomatic relations with most nations, including all UN members and observer states except Bhutan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the UN observer Territory of Palestine. |
| Foreign policy schools of thought | Neo-Isolationists, Selective Engagement, Cooperative Security, and Primacy. |
| Foreign aid recipients | Israel and Egypt are leading recipients of US foreign aid. Turkey hosts US nuclear weapons, and Qatar and Bahrain host US troops. |
| Allies | Important allies in the Greater Middle East include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Afghanistan (formerly), Israel, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. |
| Enemies | Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, and violent extremist organizations are considered major foreign threats. |
| Communication style | Direct, enthusiastic, assertive, and persuasive. |
| Language | English is the de facto national language, with Spanish being the second most commonly spoken language. |
| Economy | Accounts for approximately a quarter of the global GDP. |
| Cultural intelligence | High cultural intelligence and understanding are important when working with people from the US. |
| Time | Efficiency is valued, and time is money. |
| Presentations and meetings | Professionals tend to start with specific data and conclusions, then add supporting information (inductive reasoning). |
| Active listening | Smiling, nodding, making eye contact, and leaning in are important to show engagement and understanding. |
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What You'll Learn
Language barriers and cultural differences
The language barrier extends beyond individuals and affects entire communities. In states like Washington, hospitals and healthcare providers are addressing this issue by pairing certified interpreters with healthcare providers to facilitate consistent and fluid communication over time. Additionally, private organizations and grassroots networks have stepped in to fill the gap in government and nonprofit services, providing bilingual support in areas such as domestic violence treatment, counseling, and tax preparation assistance.
Cultural barriers, alongside language barriers, create misunderstandings and tension between immigrant and native-born communities. Family dynamics, politics, religion, societal norms, traditions, and other cultural matters differ across countries, and immigrants face challenges in adapting to the unique cultural landscape of the United States. This cultural adjustment process can be lengthy and challenging, impacting their ability to integrate into their new society.
To overcome language barriers, many immigrants invest time and effort into learning English before and after their arrival in the United States. They navigate daily challenges, such as speaking English and understanding U.S. culture, while also dealing with the stress and frustration that cultural and language barriers bring. Despite educational initiatives and public service efforts, the language barrier remains a significant issue, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive approach to linguistic diversity in the United States.
In conclusion, language barriers and cultural differences pose substantial obstacles for immigrants settling in the United States. These challenges permeate various facets of their lives, from healthcare and employment to cultural integration. While there have been efforts to address these issues, such as the use of interpreters in healthcare settings and the support provided by private organizations, a more holistic approach that embraces and accommodates linguistic diversity and cultural aspects of power is necessary to foster a more inclusive and accessible environment for immigrants in the United States.
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Formal diplomatic relations
The United States has formal diplomatic relations with most nations. This includes all United Nations members and observer states other than Bhutan, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, and the UN observer territory of Palestine. Additionally, the U.S. has diplomatic relations with Kosovo and the European Union.
The U.S. has many important allies in the Greater Middle East region, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Afghanistan (formerly), Israel, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Israel and Egypt are leading recipients of U.S. foreign aid, receiving $2.775 billion and $1.75 billion in 2010, respectively. Turkey is an ally through its membership in NATO, and the country also hosts approximately 90 B61 nuclear bombs at Incirlik Air Base. Qatar is another key ally, with 3,500 U.S. troops based in the country, and the U.S. Navy maintains a presence in Bahrain at NSA Bahrain, home of NAVCENT and the Fifth Fleet.
Many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are important partners for the U.S. in both economic and geostrategic aspects. In July 2009, the U.S. signed ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which establishes guiding principles intended to build confidence among its signatories with the aim of maintaining regional peace and stability. Trade flows between America and the ASEAN region are robust and increasing.
On a multilateral level, the U.S. seeks official agreement and support from host countries in international efforts to advance democracy, prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, counter terrorist threats, open world markets and communications, defend human rights, and increase investments regionally and globally. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) works to improve food security and human health, reduce poverty, mitigate the impact of global climate change, and empower women and girls. USAID also helps countries recover from natural disasters and contributes to bringing peace and stability to regions of conflict.
The U.S. champions the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourages countries to adhere to universally accepted principles of freedom, personal security, and equality. The U.S. supports defenders of freedom in their efforts to establish democracies and assists newly formed democracies in following democratic principles. The federal government grants access to services from various domestic agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, and the United States Postal Service.
While the traditional role of diplomacy involves the daily interaction of embassy officers with officials and agencies of the host government, public diplomacy, or direct engagement with the people and social institutions of a country, has become increasingly vital. Government-to-government negotiations remain the primary means of pursuing key policy agendas, but public affairs offices in every embassy and consulate work with media, cultural, educational, and civil society leaders to publicize U.S. policies and programs as they affect the host country.
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Foreign policy schools of thought
US foreign policy is incredibly complex and multifaceted, with a variety of schools of thought influencing the approach taken by the US government. While classic theories of foreign policy divide into the isolationist and internationalist camps, there are several other schools of thought that have influenced US foreign policy. Here is an overview of some of the most prominent ones:
Neoconservatism
Neoconservatism is a more recent school of thought that advocates for the United States to act unilaterally as a single superpower. Neoconservatives believe in retreating from foreign involvement, except in trade and economic policy. They support the use of drone strikes and military-based solutions, even if it means offending other countries and forgoing diplomatic solutions. This school of thought gained prominence after 9/11, with the rise of new enemies such as terrorist groups that spread across national boundaries.
Liberal Institutionalism
Liberal institutionalists emerged during the later stages of the Cold War, focusing on promoting international institutions and closer global integration. They believe that a liberal agenda can be advanced through unilateral US efforts or in conjunction with like-minded partners.
Hamiltonianism
Hamiltonianism, named after Alexander Hamilton, views the world primarily as a marketplace. This school of thought emphasizes enhancing America's position in global commerce and the growth of institutions supporting it. Hamiltonians have historically supported cooperation with leading trade nations and are optimistic about the benefits of commerce. They played a significant role in shaping US foreign policy after World War II, aiming to contain the Soviet Union and advance US interests in a reviving global economy.
Jeffersonianism
The Jeffersonian school of thought emerged in opposition to Hamiltonianism, prioritizing democracy and individualism. Jeffersonians are wary of institutions, especially commercial ones, and are often labelled as isolationists or nationalists due to their focus on domestic issues over international affairs. They believe that democracy arises not as a side effect of commerce but through deliberate effort. Thomas Jefferson, who served as both ambassador to France and President of the United States, is the archetype for this school of thought.
Jacksonianism
Jacksonianism, or Jacksonian populism, is intermittently concerned with foreign policy and is primarily domestically focused. It gained prominence due to factors such as wage stagnation, job loss, and cultural and identity-based concerns. Jacksonians felt their values and future were under threat, and they supported Donald Trump's "America First" policy, which exhibited scepticism towards international agreements and institutions.
Religious Warriors
A group within the Republican Party, the Religious Warriors believe that the United States is engaged in a war against radical Islam equivalent to World War II or the Cold War. They advocate for harsh methods to wage this war and want to make it the primary focus of US foreign policy. This group sees the war on terror as a central concern and views it as a struggle rooted in religion.
It is important to note that these schools of thought are not mutually exclusive, and US foreign policy often reflects a hybrid approach, drawing on multiple perspectives as circumstances warrant.
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Direct engagement with the people
Public diplomacy, or direct engagement with the people and social institutions of a country, is a key aspect of how the United States communicates with other countries. In every embassy and consulate, Public Affairs offices work with media, cultural, educational, and civil society leaders and institutions to publicize US policies and programs as they affect the host country. This includes providing support for and developing an independent media presence, allowing the public in the host country to hear American perspectives, including on internal affairs.
Educational programming and exchanges are another way the US engages directly with the people of other countries, bringing American artists and experts to the host country, and allowing foreign citizens to visit the United States. For example, the US provides training to Pakistani healthcare specialists in new animal vaccination techniques, helping to tackle global health challenges. The US also grants permanent visas to tens of thousands of refugees each year, allowing them to live in America.
Cultural intelligence (CQ) is important when engaging directly with the people of other countries. Understanding cultural and communicative differences can help improve productivity and the success of international projects. For example, people in the United States tend to be quite enthusiastic, assertive, and persuasive in their speech, which may be confusing for people from other cultures. US Americans also tend to communicate in a direct way, conveying their entire message verbally and paying less attention to body language. Efficiency is highly valued, and in presentations and meetings, US professionals tend to start with specific data and conclusions, and then add supporting information.
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Multilateral institutions
The United States engages with other countries through various multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The UN, founded in 1945, is the most important multilateral institution, providing a platform for countries to reach agreements and take collective decisions. The US has actively participated in the UN since its inception, shaping its political institutions and those of its subsidiary bodies, such as the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
The US champions the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourages countries to adhere to universally accepted principles of freedom, personal security, and equality. It supports defenders of freedom and assists newly formed democracies in following democratic principles. The US also works with other countries and multilateral institutions to respond to global health issues, such as infectious diseases, and to provide aid and assistance to countries affected by natural disasters or conflict.
However, the US has been criticized for acting unilaterally in situations with international implications. For example, the US withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty signed in 1972 and refused to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 1999. Despite these criticisms, the US remains committed to its leadership role in the UN and other multilateral institutions. To counterbalance China's growing influence, the US must enhance communication and coordination across its diplomatic missions and invest in training and incentives for its diplomats.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four schools of thought: Neo-Isolationists, Selective Engagement, Cooperative Security, and Primacy. Neo-Isolationists believe the United States should avoid involvement in world affairs. Selective Engagement avoids conflict and restricts foreign policy. Cooperative Security requires involvement in world affairs and occasionally countering threats. Primacy seeks to advance the United States beyond all other nations.
The United States has formal diplomatic relations with most nations, including all United Nations members and observer states except Bhutan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the UN observer Territory of Palestine. The U.S. also has diplomatic relations with Kosovo and the European Union. The United States has important allies in the Middle East, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The United States works with other countries and agencies to respond to global health issues and monitor the spread of dangerous diseases. The U.S. also works with other nations and multilateral institutions to improve the lives of people around the world. The Department of State works with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve food security and human health, reduce poverty, and empower women and girls.
People in the United States tend to be enthusiastic, assertive, and persuasive in their speech. They also tend to communicate directly and clearly, conveying their entire message verbally. Efficiency is highly valued, and direct communication is preferred to avoid misunderstandings. Americans also value personal space in social settings, usually about an arm's length away.
