Pragmatism Posted by Shadi Hamid

To add to my post the other day on the role of ideology in foreign policy, I just want to say something about “pragmatism,” since we are hearing that word a lot. The emerging consensus, as Glenn Greenwald puts it, is that “we have now entered an era where pragmatism and competence trumps all considerations and old ‘ideological’ disputes are thereby rendered obsolete.” Along these lines, Dan Lehr says “pragmatism is forcing ideology to take a back seat.” This is probably true. Ideology has taken a back seat. But this does not mean ideology is gone or irrelevant. All it means is that our current political discourse has opted to de-emphasize questions of ideology for reasons that may have little to do with the actual, and supposed, decline of ideology.

Jim Arkedis argued last week that “no matter who’s in the Oval Office for the foreseeable future, I think we’re ending the left/right divide and putting a premium on smart pragmatism.” I am, to be honest, not totally reassured by the rise of “smart pragmatism." It brings to mind our pre-9/11 foreign policy, which while infinitely better than our post-9/11 one, is not necessarily the standard to which we should strive (for that argument, see here). In some sense, everyone is “pragmatic.” What differs from one person to the next, however, is what and where their “non-negotiables” are. Where are the red lines of foreign policy? There are always red lines because there are certain things we won’t do even if they're in our pragmatic “self-interest.” And there are always things we'll choose to do even if they go against our narrowly-defined national “self-interest.”

The fact of the matter is liberal Democrats and conservative realists have different red lines, in part, because they are animated by different principles. In short, while principles or “ideology” may not seem to matter as much now, that has little bearing on the question of whether they will matter at some point in the future. They will come to matter more if and when we move away from lowest common denominator agreements and start to talk fundamentals and “first-order questions,” which is something I think we'll have to do eventually. 

Comments

[twelve sky Gold]

Welcome to our game world, my friend asks me to buy some 12sky gold . I do not know how to use the twelvesky Gold ; my friend tells me how to use. I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy 12Sky Silver Coins . We all love game, if you want to play it, please buy 12 sky gold and join us. Please do not hesitate to have game.

[Anarchy Online credits]

When you have Anarchy credits, you will become strong. With Anarchy Online credits, you can upgrade and admire by others. You can use Anarchy gold to start the journey of the world. So, do not hesitate, let us move to buy AO credits

[buy Hellgate Palladium]

But when I have it, it carries the magic from such a group, such a link in the world, cheap hellgate gold , it is the key bring you to this world. But buy Hellgate Palladium is the best desire that I make.

[Cheap metin2 gold]

and you will get Cheap metin2 yang to play game. I know Cheap metin2 gold.

[archlord online Gold]

Thanks to archlord online Gold let me know a lot of friends. It is my habit to buy Archlord gold.

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[michael jordan shoes]

Cheap Jordan shoes and Gucci shoes are on sale

[Ugg london]

This is very useful article, I like it, thank you!
Never frown, when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

[rolex explorer ii]

Welcome to purchase online or contact us and we will be happy to provide you with the best quality service of rolex explorer ii .
replica watches paypal is loved by many young people.It’s one of hot items of our company.If you haven’t worn fake rolex watches you are missing out.They are fashiona and nice.

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[cheap coach bags]

Great comments! You are so nice, man! You never know how much i like'em!

[sohbet odaları]

This is a very good site..

sonra bedava chat
burasıda var bedava sohbet

[FFXIV Gil]

Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy Xiv Gil
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV Gilbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(WWW,GM MMO,COM Sell FFXIV Gil)

[uggsofaufanfan]

welcome to china

[NFL Jerseys]

If I speak in the Cheap Authentic NFL Jerseys tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all Official NFL Jerseys knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my USA Jerseys Shop body to the flames,but have not love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, NFL Jerseys love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it NHL Jerseys keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always MLB Jerseys hopes, always perseveres.Love never NHL Hockey Jerseys fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in MLB Baseball Jerseys part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappea. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a NBA Basketball Jerseys man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.And now these three remain: faith, hope and NFL Football Jerseys love. But the greatest of these is love.

YQ

[werh]

Everyone likes stylish clothes, ed hardy brand favorites.

[charlene]

Convenience for you to buy Cheap NFL Jerseys.

[watchstore]

I'm sorry, but it's not good enough to say "do over." The pundits' second thoughts should carry the cargo of their previous assumptions, heady projections and salient selling points.I'm a businessman, but also about this thing.nike air max .

[syq123]

Money is indeed
Tiffany Bangles important, but Tiffany tassel comb money cannot buy everything. A miser may Tiffany Collection Money Clip think that “money talks,” but if you only give your attention to making money, you may lose many things, such Tiffany Pendants as health, friendship and love. I don't think we should regard money as everything. Money Tiffany Key Rings is just a tool that can help us solve problems or enable us to live a comfortable life. What Tiffany Cuff Link we should do is to use it appropriately and not become misers. This way, all of us can lead a happier lives.

[thomas sabo anhänger]

Es gibt Unmengen von Verkaufsstellen - sowohl online als auch offline, thomas sabo charm die spezialisiert auf Groß-Kleidung sowie Schmuck. thomas sabo anhänger Wenn Sie einige stilvolle Einkäufe zu machen möchten, thomas sabo charms reduziert können Sie vielleicht wollen für die günstige Angebote suchen. thomas sabo charms günstig Shops kommen oft mit verschiedenen Rabattsysteme, um so zur Förderung der Verbraucher, thomas sabo anhänger günstig ihre Aufträge in Stapeln statt. Auf einigen Fällen werden Sie wahrscheinlich auch über einige erstaunliche Abverkäufe dass exklusiven Designs zu erschwinglichen Preisen anbieten zu kommen. thomas sabo anhänger billig Dieses Konzept zu einem gewissen Grad ähnlich BIP Fundamentalismus, nämlich die Ausübung des BIP besser, schneller BIP-Wachstum, desto besser. BIP ist das Ziel, thomas sabo 2010 wie sich die Verteilung des BIP, in der Diskussion. Ökonomen kritisieren oft die Replica Watches Wohlfahrtsstaatsmodells Auffassung, thomas sabo reduziert dass die Regierungen Schwedens durch ein progressives Steuersystem und die Grundsteuer weg die meisten reichen Leute des Reichtums, thomas sabo shop die Unterstützung von der Wiege bis zum Grab des großen Systems der sozialen Sicherheit.

[Cope63239]

pass4sureWhat gift do you want in 2010 Christmas ,here you can get cheap UGG boots? get more Ugg Boots Sale

[qvod]

很难有发展前途做人体艺术美，看的眼光不同，人也不同
务的受人体艺术是确是很难
做人体艺术这项工作了女so you him
其实有空还不如去看看人体艺术有意思，再不然也可以去浏览下有不错的人体艺术指导，难道看到的古惑仔全集系列要去
short haircutssms jokesshort hairstylessdog groomerswhy

[safdsf]

Smart Phone Parts Leading smart phone parts, PDA Parts, data capture parts, Cell Phone Parts, mobile phone parts, iPhone Parts, LCD screen and digitizer supplier offers experienced,Data Capture Parts, timely, cost competitive, GlobalDirectParts,worldwide logistics support. We are the reliable parts supplier that delivers competitive price & quality assurance,Global Direct Parts, on time.

[pandora beads]

It does take time.

[thomas sabo Halsschmuck]

I like it very much, welcome to my website, here are you like all ladies adorn article, thank you

[nostale gold]

If the US wants to make the 21st century an American century, we need to use all possible diplomatic back channels to ensure that Kashmir is decisively made a part of India. Several mistakes have already been made on this issue in the past and there isn't room for one more.

[Doll Penny]

All of the iPhones are pretty bad during poor lighting conditions – and that’s where the new white iphone 4 flash comes in handy.

[Network]

thanks for sharing Sohbet many people are pay more attention to one's swearing than before, especially a watch.Muhabbet.
Perhaps when you went to some place far away Sohbet you must borrow it from friends you can get everything you want in this game Chat money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit. Sohbet when you look at Chat
the surface of the watches viaload great any cool Exsohbet from the city you live in and thought you knew nobody there Egitim Fourth, there were various signs of political conflict among shia. If they split 3 ways or 4 ways, the sunnis and the kurds could often be the Sohbet swing votes in the politics. If they felt they had political clout out of proportion to their numbers, they could settle in Sohbet and do politics and not feel oppressed.

[visvim shoes]

Is it possible to stay in a long, committed relationship without getting bored?
Visvim

[nike shoes cheap sale]

Why else do you think every woman has or dreams to have at least as many pairs as the number of her clothes?

[Chaussures UGG]

You've probably heard the story of the golfer who steps up to the tee box