Conclusion: Does This Matter?

This concluding chapter summarizes the book’s central argument that national identity and the construction of “Others” play a fundamental role in shaping American foreign policy. Throughout U.S. history, domestic debates over who belongs to the nation and what values define it have influenced how Americans interpret the world and choose their international actions. Foreign policy thus functions not only as a response to strategic interests but also as a means of affirming national self-understanding and maintaining internal cohesion. Periods of strong external rivalry often help stabilize domestic consensus, while the disappearance of external threats tends to intensify internal conflicts. This chapter argues that the United States’ global role cannot be understood without examining the interaction between domestic identity debates and international politics, a relationship that continues to shape American policy and global perceptions of the American model.