The Economic and Political History Podcast A History of American Foreign Policy | Dale Copeland with Javier Mejia
Oct 5, 2024
Dale Copeland, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Virginia, shares insights from his book on American foreign policy history. He discusses how trade influences international crises, shifting from peace to conflict when national security is threatened. The conversation delves into realism vs. liberalism, examining power dynamics and historical conflicts. Mejia, an economist, enriches the dialogue by exploring the complexities of U.S.-China relations and the necessity of trade for global stability.
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Copeland's International Relations Journey
- Dale Copeland's journey to international relations began in commerce and marketing before shifting to philosophy and global travel.
- His experiences in Asia and language learning deeply informed his understanding of international relations.
Commerce Drives US Realpolitik
- Copeland argues US foreign policy has been driven by commercial realpolitik rather than liberal ideology.
- America acts aggressively when fearing economic cutoff, as seen in wars like 1812, Mexico, and Spain conflict.
Innovating Realism With Commerce
- Copeland blends offensive and defensive realism into "dynamic realism" emphasizing commerce's role in power politics.
- He critiques other realists for ignoring commercial motivations in explaining US actions historically.
