Bush and Foreign Policy: Temporary Shift or Permanent Change of Course?

The events of 9/11 lead to a change of direction in American foreign policy, by many perceived as revolutionary. The main question of this article is whether the alleged revolution will be permanent, and perpetuated by future administrations, or whether it was more of a temporary adaption to changed circumstances. To answer this question, two sets of analytical categories are applied, one drawing on historical schools of American foreign policy, the other on differences in the view of the US' role in the world. The Bush-"revolution" is discussed first, followed by a discussion of how it can be explained, highlighting external structural factors, the shock of 9/11 and domestic US factors. Finally it is demonstrated how US foreign policy is already changing, and it is briefly discussed what future changes can be expected after the elections.