by Julian Sanchez

Reason

02/15/05

George W. Bush may cite Jesus as his favorite political philosopher, but his foreign policy vision bears a distinctly Kantian imprimatur. In his second inaugural address, Bush offered a clear and succinct articulation of a foreign policy vision that makes fostering democracy abroad the key to domestic security. 'The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy,' he said, 'is a prelude to our enemies' defeat.' Many apparently viewed this as a radical new strategy -- perhaps understandably, given Bush's aggressive interpretation of what 'democracy promotion' entails -- but it is in many ways continuous with Bill Clinton's idea of 'engagement and enlargement...

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Informant: Thomas L. Knapp