Realism and Exceptionalism in U.S. Foreign Policy

The responsibility of leadership forced the U.S. to direct its means to the ends of a 'common and shared mission', of laissez-faire economy, freedom and self-determination across the globe, which paved the way for the American pragmatism to go global as well. High-sounding values without power, i.e. hard power, is like a skeleton without flesh. Adherence to the value-system is the requirement of the exceptional character of the American political culture Whilst, the values of international politics required the pursuance of power in the form of alliances, counter-alliances, and balance of power for the enhancement of its capabilities. With the help of Kenneth Waltz, Structural-Realism, the research has argued that both structures i.e. Exceptionalism at the National level and Realism at the International level has constrained the American foreign policy behaviour. The book has analysed the eras of different presidents from 1969 till 2014 that how the structures have punished certain presidents and how it rewarded others, on the basis of their dealings with Exceptionalism at home and Realism abroad.