So I was in my strategery class today, and we were discussing the sunshine policy of s. korea and how clinton's diplomacy wouldn't work because it was based on concessions.
Everybody agreed that the axis of evil idea isn't so great, but I started a-thinkin' about strong-arm diplomacy, big sticks and walking softly, and saber-rattling.
So WWII goes without question to prove the wrongs of appeasment. After that, we have a couple instances of stronger stances paying off mightily. There was Nixon's christmas bombings of Hanoi (Vietnam), and after those, the North Vietnamese came to the bargaining table much more readily.
JFK told the Russians to get the nukes out of Cuba, and they did.
Reagan called the USSR an "evil empire" and told Gorbie to tear down the Berlin wall, after which, well, the wall fell and the USSR became much more open.
In bush's own experience, he told the Chinese to sod off; they weren't getting an apology for something they did when they were holding (hostage?) the 11 americans in april. Then they came back.
I'm really looking for counterexamples; the best I can find is US-Chinese policy until 1972 when all the bitching in the world didn't accomplish anything. This isn't to say that over-the-top saber rattling is the way to go, it just seems to be an effective tool with totalitarian-type governments. Maybe those who use force respect those who will use force?
Just some thoughts; I'm curious about everybody's thoughts on the topic.
Everybody agreed that the axis of evil idea isn't so great, but I started a-thinkin' about strong-arm diplomacy, big sticks and walking softly, and saber-rattling.
So WWII goes without question to prove the wrongs of appeasment. After that, we have a couple instances of stronger stances paying off mightily. There was Nixon's christmas bombings of Hanoi (Vietnam), and after those, the North Vietnamese came to the bargaining table much more readily.
JFK told the Russians to get the nukes out of Cuba, and they did.
Reagan called the USSR an "evil empire" and told Gorbie to tear down the Berlin wall, after which, well, the wall fell and the USSR became much more open.
In bush's own experience, he told the Chinese to sod off; they weren't getting an apology for something they did when they were holding (hostage?) the 11 americans in april. Then they came back.
I'm really looking for counterexamples; the best I can find is US-Chinese policy until 1972 when all the bitching in the world didn't accomplish anything. This isn't to say that over-the-top saber rattling is the way to go, it just seems to be an effective tool with totalitarian-type governments. Maybe those who use force respect those who will use force?
Just some thoughts; I'm curious about everybody's thoughts on the topic.
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