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Woodrow Wilson: Philosophy In a world ruled by the balance of power, Woodrow Wilson proposed a radical philosophy that would become the hallmark of American diplomacy. “Universal law and not equilibrium, national trustworthiness and not national self-assertion were, in Wilson’s view, the foundation of international order.” (Kissinger 45). In short, the United States’ foreign policy under his presidency wouldn’t be based upon selfish calculations, but on altruism. Wilson’s claim to altruism evoked a certain aura of unpredictability; whereas the national interest can be calculated by other nations, altruism depends on the definition of its practitioner. To Wilson, however, the altruistic nature of American society was proof of divine favor. “It was as if in the Providence of God a continent had been kept unused and waiting for a people who loved liberty and the rights of men more than they loved anything else, to come and set up an unselfish commonwealth.” (Kissinger 46). Statements like this appealed to Americans, who have traditionally believed that they have a duty to set a moral example for the rest of the world. The former professor’s belief in his ideology was so complete that when he finally asked Congress to declare war on Germany, he justified the request not on the grounds that America couldn’t afford to let one country dominate Europe. Instead, he said that the United States had a moral responsibility to oppose Germany. After the successful conclusion of the war, Wilson wanted to ensure that the pen would be mightier than the sword in Europe. “Wilson argued that binding arbitration, not force, should become the method for resolving international disputes.” (45). In what Wilson referred to as collective security, nations would automatically unite against all forms of aggression and injustice for the good of the collective. (227). These beliefs would form the core of the League of Nations. That the League failed was testament not only to Wilson’s weaknesses domestically as a politician, but also to the impracticality of his ideas when faced with European realities. Wilson believed whole-heartedly the precepts and ideals set forth in the Constitution. Believing he was born to be the president he committed himself to the “universal applicability of [America’s] values” (45). Wilson wanted to take ethics and use them as the guiding principle in solving international disputes. His unconventional way of dealing with global difficulties was truly innocence abroad. |
Philosophy
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