"The Fifth Future" Foreign Policy Assignment

BACKGROUND: For this assignment, you will be researching what some experts call "The Four Futures" of United States Foreign Policy and coming to some personal conclusions regarding the futures that YOU feel are important.

SOURCE FOR RESEARCH:  Students will do their basic research by reviewing the information outlined in "The United States Role in the World- The Four Futures".

Students are ENCOURAGED to do additional research, as needed, to make their own personal conclusions regarding the FIFTH FUTURE: their own personal description of what they feel should be the goals of the United States foreign policy going into the future.

THE ASSIGNMENT:   You MUST address all of the following questions adapted from the reading above, our lectures and your opinions regarding the United States foreign policy:

  • What are the FOUR FUTURES, as outlined in the article above? Give a short description of each, while listing some of the PROS and CONS of each of the four desired outcomes. (This part of the project will be worth 50 points, all by itself, so be thorough!)

FOR THE FINAL EXAMINATION: You need to be able to answer the question below in 3 paragraphs or more:

  • FOR THE QUESTION ON THE FINAL EXAM: What do YOU think the long-term goals of the United States should be with regards to such issues as immigration, environmental issues, military involvement, energy policy and human rights?
    • What are the strengths of the Foreign Policy Future that you are proposing?
    • What are the arguments against your Future and how would you counter them?

GRADING:  This assignment will be worth a total of 50 points. The first 50 points will be based upon your thorough answer to the first question above.