THE MUSHROOM CLOUD THAT NEVER APPEARED: THE BUSH\ud DOCTRINE AND THE FAILURES OF THE NEO-CONSERVATIVE\ud FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA

This thesis examines the effects and influence of the neoconservative agenda on U.S. foreign policy during the George W. Bush administration. It supports the contention that neoconservative foreign policy has been detrimental to the standing of the U.S. on the global stage. The history, background, and motivations of the members of the Project for a New American Century (PNAC) are explored to determine and understand their influence on formulating and executing American foreign policy prior to, and during, the Bush administration. Parallel beliefs and memberships between neoconservative operatives and staffers from earlier administrations and the Bush administration are examined. Among these people, who were highly influential in shaping the "Bush Doctrine" foreign policy are Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, and Richard Cheney. Key aspects of the neoconservative Bush Doctrine including preemptive military action, regime change, and unilateral military action, are explored in detail. This thesis closely scrutinizes the role that American exceptionalism has played in the neoconservative movement. Of key importance in the discussion of neoconservative foreign policy is the U.S. war in Iraq. Seen as the embodiment of the Bush Doctrine, this paper argues that the policies and practices that shaped that conflict, served not only to undermine the influence and authority of American foreign policy, but discredited the neoconservative agenda itself.CSU, Chic