Recognizing Structural Breakdown

Abstract

This chapter examines how traditional US policies and political realist assumptions have involved the United States in unnecessary wars and impeded lasting US security. Policymakers have ignored dangers inherent in the militarized balance-of-power system of relative anarchy, in unilateralism, and in narrowing nationalism. They are modernizing rather than reducing nuclear arsenals. They have been slow to address environmental protection. They have used attack drones repeatedly in violation of international law and US long-term interests. They reject US membership in the International Criminal Court. They have blocked opportunities to expand the role of international law, multilateral institutions, and global governance. These policies fail because they place too much faith in maximizing US military power when more effective rules to institutionalize peace and more support for global governance are needed to achieve sustainable security. By impeding multilateral lawmaking processes, US policies have brought repeated tragedies to the security commons.