Andrew Bacevich: ‘Christian realism’ for foreign affairs
Describe your approach to foreign policy.
Andrew Bacevich: If I had to assign myself a label I would call myself a ‘Christian realist.’ Christian realism is a foreign policy perspective that originated with Reinhold Niebuhr, the famous moral theologian and public intellectual who was really a titanic figure on the American scene from the 1930s into the 1960s. The essence of Christian realism—which is very much at odds with anything that smacks of utopianism—is to appreciate that there is evil in the world to which we must respond but also to appreciate that our own motives are likely to be less pure than we may fancy them to be. It’s not simply that the motives of the other guys are suspect but we ourselves should always be mindful of the extent to which our own motives [may] be subject to question. That’s the outlook that I tend to adhere to when I look at the world and the way it works.
Andrew Bacevich: ‘Christian realism’ for foreign affairs
BY STEPHEN BEALE | AUGUST 31, 2016, 6:25 EDT
Andrew Bacevich, from Boston University, speaks during a panel discussion that was part of the 2012 Current Strategy Forum at the U.S. Naval War College. (Wikimedia) Andrew Bacevich, from Boston University, speaks during a panel discussion that was part of the 2012 Current Strategy Forum at the U.S. Naval War College. (Wikimedia)
Andrew Bacevich, a retired historian and foreign policy scholar at the Pardee School of International Relations at Boston University, is one of the leading advocates of a non-interventionist approach to U.S. foreign policy.
Unlike many in the U.S. foreign policy establishment, Bacevich is less likely to advocate for the use of military power as a solution to conflicts and threats around the world. He instead emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and the strength of domestic defenses. He has written numerous articles explaining and elaborating on his views. He has also authored over a dozen books including: America’s War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History, The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism, and The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War.
Bacevich is no armchair theorist. He is a retired U.S. Army officer who served in both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars and began his teaching career at West Point. He recently spoke with the NewBostonPost about his approach to foreign policy, how to deal with ISIS, and his take on the presidential election. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for readability.
Describe your approach to foreign policy.
Andrew Bacevich: If I had to assign myself a label I would call myself a ‘Christian realist.’ Christian realism is a foreign policy perspective that originated with Reinhold Niebuhr, the famous moral theologian and public intellectual who was really a titanic figure on the American scene from the 1930s into the 1960s. The essence of Christian realism—which is very much at odds with anything that smacks of utopianism—is to appreciate that there is evil in the world to which we must respond but also to appreciate that our own motives are likely to be less pure than we may fancy them to be. It’s not simply that the motives of the other guys are suspect but we ourselves should always be mindful of the extent to which our own motives [may] be subject to question. That’s the outlook that I tend to adhere to when I look at the world and the way it works.
So it sounds like humility is central to your approach?
Bacevich: Yes, a Christian realist would insist that even in acting against evil that we should do so with humility. Attempting to maintain self-awareness would prevent us from overreacting. To illustrate the point, I think the U.S. response to 9/11 is germane. There’s no question that the 9/11 attack was an act of great evil. There’s no question that the United States faced security challenges—threats—to which it was incumbent upon the United States to respond. But the response of the George W. Bush administration—to embark upon this great crusade, ostensibly bringing democracy to the Arab world and promoting our definition of human rights went way beyond what the situation called for.
And it was that arrogance and absence of self-awareness that has caused us enormous trouble, whether in Iraq or elsewhere.
Back to this idea of ‘Christian realism.’ For those who may not be familiar with it, please elaborate on what the term ‘realism’ itself refers to?
Bacevich: Realism is a perspective that, when applied to international relations, believes that nations are inevitably engaged in a competition for power and that only if we accept that fundamental reality are we able to both understand events as they are unfolding and also navigate a prudent course for our own country. Realists are at odds with those who think that good will alone can bring about a condition of world peace. Realists are skeptical of anyone claiming that he or she has a plan that will yield world peace.
Source: http://newbostonpost.com/2016/08/31/andrew-bacevich-christian-realism-for-foreign-affairs/
