Role of the United States in the World

The role of the United States in world affairs has drastically shifted since it took a leading role in the events of World War II. The establishment of the United States as a major world power started with its involment in the war and culminated in the establishment of the US as a major seat of power in the UN. The United States has adopted and interventionalist foreign policy and regularly involves itself in the affairs of countless other nations, resulting in a myriad of detriments from our floundering economy to the breakdown of foreign relations. This involvement has cost the United States in more than just money, the result of this constant intervention has strained our country's relationships and damaged our credibility as champions of liberty and freedom. Our latest involvement in the affairs of the Middle East is a perfect example of that last point. By funding groups that are affiliated with Hezbollah and other notorious organizations, we lose the moral high ground and instead of being seen as liberators, we are viewed as merchants of death. Our recent trend in foreign policy has been that of an hegemonic power, and while there may have been periods of time in which this would prove beneficial to our country, sadly today is not one of them. The breakdown in our perceptions around the world has had severe reprecussions for our country, and is a direct result of our role in international affairs. We are slowly losing our position as a global superpower, and when that happens our foreign policy must shift to match our new role. This transition would be desirable and vastly beneficial to both domestic and foreign relations and have an ameliorating effect on our country.