Analysis Of Robert Kagan s Article The Importance Of...

Robert Kagan’s article â€Å"The Importance of U.S. Military Might Shouldn’t be underestimated† examines whether or not implementing defense cuts would be good for the US national interests. He argues that it would not be good idea due to the U.S’s use of the military force to help spread democracy around the world and upholding the international system. He fears that these defense budget reductions will lead to U.S. forced to cede power over to other countries due to the reduction of the U.S.’s ability to provide security. Kagan uses concepts from realism and idealism within his article to persuade his audience to persuade his audience that cutting the defense budget is a terrible idea. Kagan uses idealist concepts†¦show more content†¦Kagan emphasizes idealist concepts of international order and soft power. However, Kagan then argues against using these concepts all the time. He states that â€Å"soft power has its limits.† US can be popular and loved and then be hated throughout the world, however US military power dominance is always a constant means to keep international order. People hated the US during the Vietnam era, nut the countries that rely on the US for security will overlook their people’s hatred for the U.S. dominance in favor of keeping the alliance that protects them from threatening neighbors.(2) The international order depends on U.S. military not its popularity, economy, or other means. The ability to use diplomacy to pursue peace is also impeded if there is no commitment to defense spending. Congress’s refusal to commit military power to defense of peace limited President’s Wilson ability to shape peace and put in place the League of Nations. (2) Thus, the concepts of idealism, soft power and international order, cannot be relied on all the time. He then moves on to a realist perspective in explaining stopping the budget cuts are in the U.S. national