World War II radically changed the scope of American foreign policy. The United States has always sought to stay out of conflicts on continents other than North America. The nation had pursued isolationism during the Great War of 1914-1918 until it became necessary to protect innocent American lives. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was also inclined to remain neutral in the struggle that began in Europe in 1939. It was not until late 1941 that a direct attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor resulted in the United in the conflict that raged throughout the year. rest of the world. In his book Washington Rules, Andrew Bacevich, himself an officer in the United States military for many years, argues that every president after World War II followed a set of "rules" known as the Washington Consensus. This consensus has four parts. First, to avoid global chaos, the world must be shaped and organized. Second, only the United States has the capacity to lead and enforce this world order. Third, it is American principles that define the world order and what is acceptable. The fourth element is that everyone understands and accepts these principles as facts and views the United States as the world leader. Has each administration inadvertently or deliberately followed these guidelines? Is this mindset detrimental to national security and has it caused the United States to intervene in too many foreign countries? I agree with Andrew Bacevich who takes a decidedly negative view of these foreign policy principles and believes that each administration has progressively followed these ideas in the development of its foreign policy. There is an argument that Bacevich fails to adequately add...... middle of paper ... emphasis on defending the vital interests of the United States instead of creating a world order, positioning the American soldier at home rather than abroad and using military action only as a last resort and defensive measure. Following these principles, Bacevich writes that the size of the Pentagon budget, nuclear arsenal and military will be reduced. I tend to agree with him. A fundamental shift must occur in our worldview. Our policymakers have remained stuck in the rut of precedent and building a franchise that defends our global superpower status. Rather than expanding our resources overseas, we should address our nation's needs, such as gaps in public education, poverty and unemployment in cities. Instead of looking for problems to solve abroad, the United States must look inward and create a nation built on prosperity and peace..