Why Obama's International Policy is Changing?

Anne-Marie Slaughter on International Networks — Big Think: "Anne-Marie Slaughter on International Networks"

Prof. Anne-Marie Slaughter is the Director for Policy Planning at the State Department. I brought her interview on BigThink.com up earlier but it is worth remembering now when Obama is implementing change in his foreign policy.

She uses something she learned at law school. Thirteen year old boys organize themselves in hierarchies, i.e., the bully in the playground, whereas thirteen year old girls organize themselves in networks. The most networked girl is the leader. The goal now for the US is to become the center in a world network. Therefore they appease most countries so far. She points out that the hierarchic approach with a military and hard power is going to be less important.

From the experience in Iraq and now in Afghanistan it is becoming evident that invasions don't work anymore. Therefore the boy approach is not useful. By inspiring fear. With this approach Slaughter is turning traditional "hawks" into dinosaurs. Workable relationships becomes the norm. Condoleezza Rice actually spoke of similar measures with her realism. We need to talk to China, to Russia, in order to solve common problems that we cannot solve ourselves.

I guess the problem here is that the hawks feel like this change is the equivalent of jumping over a cliff and hoping there is going to be water where they land. If there are more hawks among the Republicans, this would be an additional divisive factor on the US society.