The Foreign Policy of Self-Interest: A Moral Ideal for America

by Peter Schwartz

America's foreign policy, Mr. Schwartz argues, is driven by the view that the pursuit of self-interest is morally tainted--i.e./ that if we wish to do what is right, we must sacrifice our interests for the sake of other nations. This is why we are so appeasingly apologetic when it comes to asserting our right to live free from the threat of force. It is why we are so hesitant in implementing our moral obligation to eliminate all such threats by military means. It is why we are failing in our war against terrorism. In this uncompromising manifesto, the author calls for a radically different foreign policy--one based entirely on self-interest.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics

72 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Peter Schwartz is the author of the book In Defense of Selfishness: Why the Code of Self-Sacrifice Is Unjust and Destructive (Palgrave Macmillan, June 2015).

He's a former Chairman of the Board, and currently a Distinguished Fellow, of the Ayn Rand Institute in Irvine, CA. He writes and lectures extensively on topics ranging from ethics and political philosophy to environmentalism and multiculturalism. He's been frequently interviewed on radio and TV, by such personalities as Geraldo Rivera and Thom Hartmann.

Other books he's written: The Foreign Policy of Self-Interest: A Moral Ideal for America (ARI Press), Libertarianism: The Perversion of Liberty (ARI Press) and The Battle for Laissez-Faire Capitalism (Intellectual Activist).

He was the founding editor and publisher of The Intellectual Activist (1979-1991), a periodical that covered political/social issues from a pro-individual rights orientation. From 1987-2003 he was president and editor-in-chief of Second Renaissance Books, a publisher and distributor of titles promoting the value of reason, individualism, science, technology and capitalism.

In addition, he is the editor and contributing author of Ayn Rand's Return of the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Revolution (Meridian), and co-editor of Objectively Speaking: Ayn Rand Interviewed (Lexington Books).

For more information about his writings and talks, and to follow his blog, please visit: www.PeterSchwartz.com

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kind of short introductionary and concrete political guide to foreign politics is a welcomed addition to the literature concerning objectivism. It puts philosophy into a spesific context, and here Peter Schwartz does it very well.

Although one could argue the theme in a broader context. Where Schwartz would defend a decisive and total war, it may be tactical to pull back all together as well - the origins of the conflicts are not discussed so much and thus one wrong may be the source for a new wrong. In this sense the libertarian non-aggression is too easily dismissed.

The focus in this "foreign policy" is also too much focused on terrorism and war against non self-interest ideologies and keeping our self-interest as primary - but "foreign policy" is much more than war - and here this book falls a bit short. Still, terrorism and the fight against it is the main and most urgent of foreign affairs.

There is also, understandably so, too much focus on the American situation - rather than how to build a more fallen country into a working and correct policy toward foreign countries(as well as the practical approach). Even though the principle is the same, the execution of it may differ if a country is a small one in contrast to big America(but then again, the title rightfully limits it this way).

Still, a thumbs of for this as a good addition to the debate.

[Paul Taske · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on what a rational approach to foreign policy looks like using the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as its primary points of contrast.

The examples may be somewhat dated at this point, but the approach it articulates still comes through quite well.

[Gordon E. Castanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge to US Foreign Policy

This should be required reading at all those elitist institutions that train future participants in the U.S. State Department. The commonly unquestioned acceptance of the morality of altruism is draining the life blood out of the US. Here is its antidote.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting take on an Objectivist foreign policy