American National Identity and Grand Strategy in the Post-Cold War Era
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 American National Identity and Grand Strategy in the Post-Cold War Era Norman T. Carter Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the International Relations Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Norman T. Carter Jr. has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. David Milen, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Ross Alexander, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. James Frampton, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract American National Identity and Grand Strategy in the Post-Cold War Era by Norman T. Carter Jr. MSIR, Troy University, 2009 BS, Excelsior College, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy Administration Walden University August 2020 Abstract There is a correlation between American grand strategy and post-Cold War national identity. Congressional leaders, policy makers, scholars, and observers have noted that the United States lacked a coherent grand strategy for the immediate post-Cold War era. However, President Bill Clinton built a grand strategy of selected engagement predicated it on the historical values of modern American national identity. Through published national security data, speeches, and observations of strategic choices, this research compared President Clinton’s actions in the international arena to a grand strategy typology. Further, through the theoretical lens of constructivism, an assessment of President Clinton’s national identity construct, and its correlation with his strategic use of national power, was conducted. This research may be beneficial to ongoing defense threat reduction research on predictive factors of national activity. This research may also facilitate positive social change by enabling policy makers, scholars, the U.S. electorate, and political observers to better understand the importance of presidentially constructed national identity and its impact on grand strategy. For instance, presidential debates may evolve to include inquiries about a candidate’s perspective on national identity and how that ideational construct would influence strategic planning and operations during their tenure. Americans may then be able to better estimate the potential national security implications of their electoral choices. American National Identity and Grand Strategy in the Post-Cold War Era by Norman T. Carter Jr. MSIR, Troy University, 2009 BS, Excelsior College, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy Administration Walden University August 2020 Dedication This research effort is dedicated to Jesus Christ, who teaches me to make a difference in this world, sometimes one person at a time, or here, whole nations. This study is also dedicated to my children: Normlica, Dima, and Norman James, Cesar, Mario, Ma’elm, Cris, Mahrael, and Miaelle, whom I hope will be inspired to challenge themselves, each other, and strive for their best. Do something different, do something strong, do something courageous, to grow yourself, and someone else… even nations. Thank you, Norman Jr., (“Minnie Me”) for challenging me, encouraging me, and forgiving me for the lack of playtime- there are yet more fish to in front of us! Thank you Normlica, my darling daughter, for your patience and persistence. And thank you Normlica, for trying to follow in my footsteps, for trying to catching up to me and making me go farther faster. Thank you, Dima, for pushing me to be better than myself, for watching me to see what kind of Dad I’d be. Hopefully, prayerfully, I’ve set a good example. Thanks to Cesar, Mario, Ma’elm, Cris, Mahrael, and Miaelle, who waited, however impatiently, for me to find the time to invest in the invaluable experience of playtime- NOW we can go outside and run around! Thank you, Marilyn, the love of my life, for encouraging me with your warm smile, patient love, and endless enthusiasm; and for keeping our blended family centered on Christ. Acknowledgments I am very grateful to Dr. Milen, Dr. Ross, and Dr. Frampton for their patience, dedication, and guidance; for actually helping me get this done. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................1 American National Identity and Grand Strategy in the 20th Century .................... 2 National Identity and Grand Strategy in the Modern Era ....................................... 3 Defining Cold War Grand Strategy ........................................................................ 5 The Problem Statement ..................................................................................................7 The Problem is Current, Relevant, and Significant .......................................................7 Purpose ...........................................................................................................................9 Research Questions ......................................................................................................10 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................10 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................12 Assumptions .................................................................................................................14 Limitations ...................................................................................................................15 Delimitations ................................................................................................................16 Potential Sociopolitical Significance ...........................................................................18 Summary ......................................................................................................................19 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................20 Introduction ..................................................................................................................20 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................22 i Finding and Sorting the Literature for Review ..................................................... 26 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................26 Literature Review.........................................................................................................26 The Nature of Constructivism ............................................................................... 26 Review of Identity Theory .................................................................................... 33 Review of Grand Strategy ..................................................................................... 40 Research Methodologies ....................................................................................... 64 The Gap in the Literature ...................................................................................... 66 Summary ......................................................................................................................67 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................68 Introduction ..................................................................................................................68 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................68 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 70 The Study’s Grounding Concept .......................................................................... 70 The Researcher’s Role .................................................................................................71 Methodology ................................................................................................................72 Data Management ................................................................................................