The Bush Doctrine: Neoclassical Realism and US Foreign Relations in A Critical Era of Global Politics

Abstract

This article examines United States foreign policy in South Asia during the post-9/11 period, with particular emphasis on the role of the Bush Doctrine in shaping policy decisions and strategic priorities. It argues that the Bush Doctrine—characterized by the principles of preemption, unilateralism, democracy promotion, and reliance on military power—provided the overarching framework through which the George W. Bush administration responded to terrorism and broader international security challenges. These principles integrated various diplomatic, political, and military instruments that guided U.S. engagement in South Asia, especially in relation to Afghanistan and Iraq. The study employs the analytical framework of neoclassical realism to explore how systemic pressures interacted with domestic-level variables in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. While acknowledging the influence of the international environment, the article emphasizes the importance of internal factors in translating external challenges into concrete policy choices. In particular, it examines the impact of presidential beliefs, elite perceptions, neoconservative ideology, and the decision-making processes within the Bush administration. The article further analyzes how President Bush’s worldview, which framed global politics as a moral struggle between “good” and “evil,” shaped the interpretation of threats and influenced the selection of policy responses. This ideological lens contributed to the adoption of assertive and interventionist strategies, including military campaigns and efforts to promote democratic governance abroad. By integrating insights from neoclassical realist theory, the study demonstrates how both structural and domestic factors combined to produce key U.S. foreign policy decisions in South Asia during the post-9/11 era.