The Bush Doctrine arises from “a day of fire.” The Reagan administration achieved the demise of communism as a superpower; then came the relative calm years of the administration of George H.W. Bush, followed by the Clinton “years of repose, years of sabbatical.” The first eight months of the George W. Bush administration seemed as though it might follow that same low-keyed pattern of the three preceding administrations, but that was not to be. After a virtually hidden enemy openly declared war on the homeland that bright, clear day in September, George W. Bush declared “the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.” And the Bush Doctrine was born.
The purpose of the Bush Doctrine is quite simple, to protect the United States and its liberty, as he swore to do.* The president believes that free nations naturally seek to protect their way of life, and they do not go to war with other free nations. Nations ruled by dictators are not free nations, and dictators treat their own people with cruelty. Dictators foster fear nations and control their people by fomenting hatred against free nations. Free nations are not safe as long as fear nations exist: “The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.”
People everywhere want to live in freedom, “because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.” President George W. Bush declares, “it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.”
These words frighten some people; they imagine that such a proclamation is a declaration of war against all tyrannical regimes such as China, North Korea, Iran, and other Middle Eastern tyrannies. But Bush has made it quite clear that reaching this goal of ending tyranny “is not primarily the task of arms.” Of course, he also adds that we will defend ourselves when necessary. Others have lamented a false claim that Bush wants to make all nations into little Americas, but he has addressed that issue also:
Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen, and defended by citizens, and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. And when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own. America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal instead is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom, and make their own way.The president has clearly articulated his desire to help all nations who seek liberty: “All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.”
The Bush Doctrine seeks to protect the United States and her liberty, while liberating other suffering peoples, because free nations do not go to war with other free nations.
Reference:
Second Inaugural Address by George W. Bush
*Presidential Oath of Office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
