| Summary: | 碩士 === 中興大學 === 國際政治研究所 === 95 === This thesis adopts the three images – international system, state, and individual – of
level analysis to analyze the policymaking of Bush Administration on war against Iraq after
the 911 terrorist attack.
First of all, from the level of international system factor, the U.S. has become the solar hegemony since the end of the cold war. Whether in politics, economy, military or social culture, the U.S. has no contestant in the world. Other major powers can not compete with U.S. and will not do anything to prevent U.S. decision. With no limits from the international organization and international norm set upon U.S., the Bush Administration decided to declare war on Iraq.
Second, from the level of national factor, the public opinion plays an important role in a democratic country. Every government is built through the electoral process. As a result, the government is under the check and need the consent from the people. That is why the Bush Administration manipulates the patriotic ideology and media, trying to get the consent from people, to achieve the goal to send its troop to Iraq.
Third, from the level of individual factor, U.S. president is the decision maker of foreign policy. After the 911 event, President Bush claimed the policy of preemption and U.S. primacy, which to some extent means that he is influenced by his personal background. Besides, his core staffs bear the ideology of neoconservatism which also has some influence upon Bush’s decision toward the war on Iraq.
In international political theories, it seems that U.S. war on Iraq demonstrates the Bush Administration swayed between the realism – emphasizing the pursuit of power and national interest, and idealism – in pursuit of international order through international law, liberty and cooperation. As a result, U.S. tried to obtain the consent from U.N. Security Council before sending troops to Iraq in order to own the legitimacy in the international society. When most of the U.N. members disagreed to its proposal, the U.S. adopted an unilateral policy to pursue its own national interest and national security.
In conclusion, this thesis finds that each level has its merits for analysis and makes certain contribution to the explanation of international politics. Furthermore, this thesis also finds that there are some links among the three levels.
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