National Identity Constructions in United States Foreign Policy Approaches to International Conflict
Date of Award
Summer 6-26-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in International Conflict Management
Department
School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr.Charity Butcher
Second Advisor
Dr. Maia Hallward
Third Advisor
Dr. Amanda Reinke
Abstract
This study observes the role of national identity as a tool of the presidents of the United States in framing foreign policy approaches. Examining application for such phenomena reveals the puzzle of how strategic vs subjective decision-makers are when articulating policy addressing international conflicts. The interplay between the two aspects brings together the multiple traditions of national identity and the Wittkopf-Holsti-Rosenau approach model. Occurring over a longitudinal design, this study cuts across four administrations as they address events during the War in Afghanistan and the conflict regarding Taiwan. By coding and analyzing the statements from Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, the evidence demonstrates that each president shows a remarkable degree of subjectivity. The preponderance of evidence suggests that presidents have identity predisposition with their own fixed construction of national identity. Such consistency means that during moments of international conflict, each chief executive applies their own subjective construction of identity to the actions taken. These findings are essential in the remarkably fixed perspectives that will likely appear with each leader, unique to them as they express their identity domestically and abroad. If the United States is to have more equitable articulations of both foreign policy approaches and its national identity, then the chosen leader takes on even greater importance. Future research should examine how leaders can articulate a United States nationhood with a more equitable approach to community and foreign policy. Currently, this study finds that no president uses national identity frames from multiple perspectives, rather only from their own subjective viewpoint.